Number 7 will never be worn in the Bronx again, as the Yankees retired Mickey Mantle’s number on June 8, 1969. 7 would join 3 (Ruth), 4 (Gehrig) and 5 (DiMaggio) as the only retired numbers at the time.
61,157 fans came out to honor Mick, making it the first sellout at the stadium since the 1964 World Series. Whitey Ford presented him with a uniform and Joe DiMaggio presented him with his plaque that will be hung on the center field wall. In turn, Mick gave the Yankee Clipper a similar plaque, telling the crowd: “his has got to be hanging just a little but higher than mine.” So it was, DiMaggio’s was placed one inch higher than Mick’s. The plaque reads: The Mick was one of the best all around players and one of the greatest switch-hitters in the history of baseball. From 1951-1968 he came the epitome of the modern Major Leaguer.
“When I walked into the Stadium 18 years ago, I guess I felt the same way I feel now. I can’t describe it. I just want to say that playing 18 years in Yankee Stadium for you folks is the best thing that could ever happen to a ballplayer. Now, having my number join 3,4, and 5 kind of tops everything. I never knew how a man who was going to die could say he was the luckiest man in the world. But now I can understand.”
He finished his 18 year career batting .298 with 536 homers 1,509 RBIs, winning seven World Series and being named to 20 All Star games. He was a three time AL MVP, won the Triple Crown in 1956, and is the best switch hitter in MLB history. The Yanks would honor Mantle by beating the White Sox 11-2 that day.
The Mick would be honored one more time, posthumously, when George Costanza names his child Seven as a living tribute.
