Mickey Mantle was born in Spavinaw, Oklahoma and named after famed Philadelphia Athletic catcher Mickey Cochrane. Shortly after, the family moved to Commerce, where Mickey's dad, Mutt ,worked in the lead and zinc mines. According to Mickey Mantle's official site, "Every day when Mutt would come from the mines, they would practice baseball next to an old tin barn. Mutt would pitch tennis balls (right handed) to Mickey while he batted lefty. Mickey's grandfather, Charlie, would then pitch left handed to Mickey while he batted righty."
While attending Commerce High School, Mantle played for the Baxter Springs (Kansas) Whiz Kids, a semi-pro league that featured young men up to age 21. New York Yankee scout, Tom Greenwade, discovered Mantle while he was playing for the Whiz Kids in 1948. He was not sure what do think about Mantle. However, an August day would change that. Mickey hit two 400-foot plus home runs (one from each side of the plate) that cleared the fence in Baxter Springs and rolled into the river. Greenwade traveled to Commerce on Mickey's graduation day and signed him to a professional contact with the New York Yankees for $140 a month plus a $1,150 signing bonus.
Soon, "The Mick" went to play ball for the Independent Yanks, a Class D minor league squad and the Joplin Miners, located less than an hour northeast from Commerce along Route 66 in Missouri. In 1951, after a brief bout of immaturity during his first stint in the major leagues, which sent him back to the minors, he came back to New York for good and there began a long Hall of Fame career.
After exploring the humble origins of "The Mick," enjoy a juicy brisket at Lil' Café in Commerce.
Lil Cafe
209 S Mickey Mantle Blvd
Commerce, OK 74339
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