Mickey Mantle

"Ladies and gentleman, entering the arena is one of the greatest players in baseball history. He retired from baseball with the third highest home run total in the game. . . "

The introduction continues with the recitation of his 1956 Triple Crown, the MVPs, and other accolades. Mickey Mantle hated being put on a pedestal. He'd trade the spotlight any day of the week for the quiet table in the corner. Mantle is ready to make another entrance. His announcer host wants him to burst through curtains in anticipation of huge applause and camera flashes. Then Mickey turns to the young man with the enthusiastic voice and says, "Son, today just say 'Mickey Mantle is here in the building.'" The introduction is toned down. Mickey still wows 'em. It's 1986 and at $7 an autograph Mickey is the priciest autograph in the market, below Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams, a trend that would continue for the
rest of his life. To get Mickey Mantle as a guest in Detroit, the promoter had to take Whitey Ford. Some punishment.

Autograph tickets for both fellas would cost $12. That was one price for both Hall of Famers, any item. For each of the two days, Mantle and Ford signed more than 1,000 autographs. Fees were lower. Prices were lower. Times were simpler then.

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