Mickey Manle

Mickey Charles Mantle was born on October 20, 1931 in Spanivaw, Oklahoma. But shortly after moved to commerce OK. Mantle was named after Hall of Fame catcher Gordon “Mickey” Cochran. Mickey was the oldest son of Elvin and Lovell Mantle. Mickey also grew up with three brothers, twins Ray and Butch and a sister Barbara.

When Mickey was old enough to swing a bat and throw a ball, Mickey’s father and grandfather Charlie pitched to him everyday after school in front of a tin barn by their house in Commerce, OK. Elvin a righty, and Charlie a lefty, taught Mickey to switch hit by alternating pitching to him so that he would learn to hit from both sides of the plate. Mickey developed tremendous strength in his wrists and forearms by working with his father during the summer at the lead mines. The Strength he dev...