Presented is a rare Mickey Mantle Day pin that was issued for one day only, on June 8, 1969. The Hall of Famer had an earlier Mickey Mantle Day, in 1965, and he retired after the 1968 season. The '69 Mickey Mantle Day was a production that dwarfed the successful '65 Mantle Day. The '69 event, which marked the retirement of Mantle's number "7" uniform, was written and orchestrated by New York Yankees public relations head Bob Fishel. The old (original) Yankee Stadium was packed with 60,096 spectators. Baseball royalty was in attendance, including Joltin' Joe DiMaggio, whom Mantle succeeded as the Yankee center field immortal. After an introduction by public address announcer Bob Sheppard, famed Yankee broadcaster Mel Allen took the microphone and called forth Mickey to enter the field from the Yankee dugout. Mantle remains the greatest switch-hitting home run hitter of all-time, with 536 blasts. The 3-time AL MVP was a 7-time World Series winner in his 18-year MLB career, all with the Bronx Bombers. But on this day, Mantle's numbers were not on the fans' minds. Instead, as Mantle entered the field, the fans, many smiling through tears, remembered Mantle's career in its entirety, from his start in 1951, as an amazing rookie, with his incredible combination of speed and power, to his race with Roger Maris to unseat Ruth's 60 home run record, to his final days in his later Yankee years, his knees now having robbed his speed and his playing first base. As they saw Mickey on the field once more, the fans' emotions ran rampant, and they cheered for an incredible nine minutes. 

The metal pin has a diameter of 1.75". The front reads, "MICKEY MANTLE DAY JUNE 8,1969." The front has a black & white image of a very young Mickey batting right-handed. The back has a working clasp. The pin, over half-a-century old, has some expected very slight darkening. Overall, the pin is in EXCELLENT condition, and it makes a great remembrance for an American icon.

Estimated domestic USA shipping cost only. Does not include handling or insurance: 19.09 Please feel free to contact us for a more accurate shipping cost.