Our Mickey: Cherished Memories of an American Icon [Paperback]

Bill Liederman (Editor), Maury Allen (Editor), Yogi Berra (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2007

Over the Course of his half century in the public eye, Mickey Mantle meant many things to many different people. He was a hero to fans of all ages - the undisputed leader and superstar of the greatest sports dynasty in history. Our Mickey is a collection of personal stories from people who were affected by Mantle as a teammate, friend, personality, and hero - people including Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Stan Musial, Sandy Koufax, Willie Mays, Billy Crystal, David Halberstam, Dan Rather, Regis Philbin, Henry Kissinger, and may more. This unique compilation features heartfelt memories from dozens of ballplayers, celebrities, dignitaries, journalists, and fans who share their favorite stories about a generation's most revered athlete.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Mickey Mantle was far more than the greatest baseball player of his generation. He was also a beloved national hero, a cultural icon, and a living legend.

The Mick touched the lives of millions of Americans, both personality and from afar. From the time he joined the New York Yankees as a highly touted 19-year-old prospect from Commerce, Oklahoma, in the spring of 1951, Mickey captured the hearts of his adoring legions of fans and fellow athletes alike. His popularity only grew throughout his 18-year playing career, into his post baseeball days under the glare of the spotlight, and to the very end of his courageous battle against cancer. Whether you were a Yankees teammate or an opposing player, a journalist or a fellow public figure, or a fan of any age, your life was more than likely impacted by Mickey Mantle.

Through dozens of personal stories, Our Mickey provides individual glimpse into the life, personality, and character of Mickey Mantle. Many of these stories - from the likes of Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Stan Musial, Sandy Koufax, Willie Mays, Billy Crystal, David Halberstam, Dan Rather, Regis Philbin, and Henry Kissinger - will make you laugh, and others might induce a tear. But all will evoke strong feelings and bring the reader a little deeper into Mick's world as he lived it.

Whether you grew up marveling at Mantle's prodigious home runs and infectious energy on and off the field, or if you just want to learn more about the greatest player of baseball's celebrated golden era, Our Mickey will give you insight into one of history's most beloved figures. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Maury Allen is a nationally known sportswriter and author with more than 30 books about baseball to his credit, including best sellers on Joe DiMaggio and Casey Strengel. He began his writing career working for small newspapers, moved to Sports Illustrated magazine, and has been a baseball expert and columnist for the New York Post for almost 30 years. Mickey Mantle was always the most exciting personality he covered, both on and off the field.

Bill Liederman was an outstanding high school and college athlete who settled for softball in Central Park after his dream of playing with the Yankees ended in a blaze of glory. He was running a cooking school in Manhattan when he decided to open a restaurant and bodly approached Mickey Mantle about a partnership. Mantle agreed to come into the deal after Liederman told him the new place would be another Toots Shor's, a hangout for sports fans, athletes, and young business people. The restaurant opened in 1988, and the new partners became close friends, which they remained until Mantle's death in 1995. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Triumph Books (April 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157243967X
• ISBN-13: 978-1572439672
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,536,735 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 4-bagger, April 18, 2004

By 

Joel Martin (Bridgeville, DE USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Our Mickey: Cherished Memories of an American Icon (Hardcover)

First, I am not a Yankees fan, but they have had some great players over the years and Mantle is, arguably, one of the best, and I have always admired his considerable talent. Everyone knows his statistics and how he liked to party, but I was looking for some insights into the man, and this book delivered. The book is a series of reminiscences by teammates, opponents, writers, friends and people whose lives were touched in some way by Mantle. Some are funny, some are poignant, but all of them together give a picture of the man. If you enjoy reading about the person behind the legend, and how he was perceived by others who knew him, then you'll enjoy this book. It's a good read and I recommend it heartily.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fresh take on the legend of the Mick, March 30, 2004

By 

S. Allen (Montclair, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Our Mickey: Cherished Memories of an American Icon (Hardcover)

There are lots of Mickey Mantle books out there, but I've never seen another like this. Anecdotes about Mickey from friends, teammates, and notable fans whose lives he touched. It's a fun, fast read as each story gives you a new perspective on one of the most colorful Yankees of all time. Unlike the standard-issue biographies out there, this book reads like a series of quick conversations and it is fascinating and entertaining to hear from such diverse names as Yogi Berra, David Halberstam, Regis Philbin, and Willie Mays. I learned a lot that I didn't know about Mickey, and I highly recommend this for you other Yankee fans out there.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Our Mickey: Cherished Book, August 3, 2005

By 

Joseph E. Farrell "contagiousreading" (Midland Park, New Jersey United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Our Mickey: Cherished Memories of an American Icon (Hardcover)

I am a huge Yankee fan and I have read a lot of books about them including some about Mickey Mantle. Out of all the books about the Mick this is my favorite.

Bill Liederman and Maury Allen have created a different perspective about Mantle by not telling about his life and career but letting his freinds and other famous people who knew Mickey best, write a paragraph about experiences with him. It shows the real Mickey Mantle and some of the funny and great things he did.

The book is divided in four categories; Mickey as a Yankee and Teamate, Mickey as Legend, Mickey as Personality, and Mickey as a Ballplayer. The book has people such as Whitey Ford, Willie Mays, Billy Chrystal, Joe Torre, Donald Trump, Regis Philbin, and more.

I loved reading this book and I recommend it to not just a Yankee fan but any baseball fan or someone who lived during his career and remember him.