Mickey Was Nearing the End
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by Harold Friend
The Yankees found out what it was to struggle to stay even in 1965. Aging stars, injuries, and a lack of young players resulted in the end of the streak of five consecutive pennants that had started in 1960. Mickey Mantle had his first poor season since his rookie year of 1951, but he and the team never stopped trying.
Mickey Hustled Too Much
On June 22, the Yankees were in seventh place with a record of 29-35, trailing the first place Twins by 10 ½ games. At home against Kansas City for a double header before a crowd of 13,129 fans, the Yankees dropped the opener, 6-2, despite a Mickey Mantle home run. In the nightcap, with the A’s leading 2-0, Mickey led off the fourth inning with a walk and went to second when Tommy Tresh was safe on shortstop Bert Campaneris’ error. After Ellie Howard flied out to right, Fred Talbot made a wild pitch. Mickey, hustling too much, tried to score from second and was thrown out at the plate, but that was not what was significant.
Another Hamstring Injury
Mickey pulled a muscle in his left leg, which team physician Dr. Sydney Gaynor thought was just a strain. But this was Mickey Mantle, and it turned out that the injury was a pulled ham string muscle. Mickey was selected for the all-star team but on July 7, it was announced that he would miss the game because of the leg injury.
Rebuild Without Mickey
By the middle of July, it was apparent that the Yankees were not going to win the pennant. They had to rebuild and many in the media felt that Mickey might never again have a Mickey Mantle type season because of the injuries he had suffered to his legs. The problem was a Catch-22 because the injured legs prevented Mickey from exercising in such ways that would prevent future injuries. It was thought that he would play two or three more years, but that anything he contributed would be a bonus. The Yankees had to rebuild as if he were not on the roster.
Still Some Good Games
Mickey had some good days left. On September 2, in Anaheim, Mickey drove in 4 runs with a home run and single as Whitey Ford went the distance in beating Marcellino Lopez, 8-1. Bobby Richardson led off the game with a single and Tommy Tresh doubled him to third, bringing up left fielder Mickey Mantle. There was no thought of intentionally walking Mickey, and Mickey made the Angels pay when he hit a 400 foot home run, which was his 18th of the season.
Nearing the End
The 1965 Yankees finished sixth, winning 77 and losing 85 to finish 25 games behind the Twins in the ten team American League. After four consecutive seasons in which he hit over .300, Mickey dropped to .255 with 19 home runs and 46 RBIs in 122 games. He had only 361 at bats. Mickey never stopped trying or caring, but at the age thirty-three, the end was approaching.
References:
Beckers, Bill. "Ford of Yankees Beats Angels, 8-1; Mantle Drives in Four Runs With Homer and Single. New York Times. 3 September 1965, p.20.
Durso, Joseph. "Mantle Injured in Second Game But Pulled Muscle in Leg Doesn't Appear Serious." New York Times. 23 June 1965, p. 31.
"Mantle, Yastrzemski Out." New York Times. 8 July 1965, p. 24.
Koppett, Leonard. "Long, Cold Summer; Yankees Learn How Other Half Lives." New York Times. 13 July 1965, p. 26.
