Mickey Mantle (Pack Of 25)

He was one of the most compelling athletic heroes in American history. Long after he?d hung up his fabled pin striped uniform, grown men would stammer and stutter in his presence and faithful fans would pay outlandish prices for his memorabilia. His achievements were many, but they cannot explain his enduring popularity. His legion of admirers felt a deep emotional attachment to this man who moved with such fluid grace and raw power. They loved Mickey Mantle. His statistics are staggering?536 home runs, 1,509 RBIs, .298 career batting average, seven world championships, and three MVP awards?and they are all the more impressive when we consider how the Hall of Famer courageously battled chronic, painful injuries during his 18 years with the New York Yankees. In addition, he won the Triple Crown in 1956?a .353 batting average, 52 HRs, and 130 RBIs. In 1961, he hammered 54 homers, just six shy of Babe Ruth?s record.But these numbers pale when compared to what happened in the harsh summer of ?95 when his heart took over in that desperate final inning. Faced with an aggressive cancer, he displayed incredible courage, humility, even humor as he battled for his life. And when he chose to drag his frail body in front of a mass of microphones and address the public, there was not a trace of self-pity in his words?only heartfelt pleas to avoid the mistakes he had made. ?Don?t be like me,? he humbly declared, ?I?m no role model!? But despite his flaws, Mantle remained a hero to his mu