Mantle Signs for Same $100,000
- joearubenstein
- Feb 15
- 2 min read
Feb. 15, 1965 - Mickey Mantle (pictured today in Dallas), the well-known life insurance executive, took time out from his business pursuits today to confirm that he had signed another $100,000 contract with the Yankees.
Mantle’s Oklahoma drawl was heard over a loudspeaker-telephone hookup at the Yanks’ executive offices at Fifth Avenue and 58th St. He spoke from Dallas, where he has been too busy with a new financial venture to make the trip to New York for the customary signing before the cameras.
For the 33-year-old Mantle — whose 15-year baseball career has been one of the more remarkable ones in major league history — the six-figure contract was his third in a row. He sounded as if he could use the money.
He said he had “sunk everything” into a life insurance company in San Antonio. He is a director and shareholder in the company.
“Everything” is quite a bit. Before his $100,000 salary, the centerfielder had been earning more than $50,000 for several seasons. He has also had the standard amount of exposure (for pay) on television and in magazines. He recently sold his interest in a huge motel development in Joplin, Mo.
Mantle’s contract makes him the second-highest salaried player in the game. Willie Mays of the Giants receives $5,000 more.
Did Mantle mind being No. 2?
“No, not to a guy making $105,000.”
Mantle was born in Spavinaw, Okla., near coal-mining country. He has said that the one thing he never wanted to do was follow his father, who was a miner.
He signed his first professional contract in 1949 for a $400 bonus and $140 a month. Two years later, Mickey made the Yankees.
His over-eagerness at the plate, perhaps brought on by the thought that he was to be Joe DiMaggio’s successor, brought him mixed luck that first year. He was sent back to the minors midway through the season.
He returned in 1952, replaced DiMaggio, who had retired, and began a brilliant career that has repeatedly been curtailed by a series of back and leg ailments and injuries.
Still, Mantle has hit 454 home runs, more than any other active player, and is seventh among all home-run hitters. He holds several World Series records, including a career mark of 18 homers in Series play.

Support this project at patreon.com/realtime1960s
Comments