Mickey Mantle

Sporting News, The, August 21, 1995 by Bob Sheppard

Bob Sheppard, known for his eloquence and elocution, has been the public-address announcer at Yankee Stadium since 1951. He penned this poem in July 1956.

MICKEY MANTLE

No Ruthian legends shade this lad,

No feats of Foxx or Greenberg awe him.

His home run progress marches

On prodigious parabolic arches.

No puny efforts here --

Each jet-propelled beyond the normal reaches.

In time each park

Contains a landmark

Where a Mantle blow was struck ...

Here a towering facade was dented ...

Here a distant scoreboard smashed ...

Here a roof was cleared ...

Here an apartment window shattered.

We mortals should exult

To a legend in the making:

The era of atomic power and Mickey Mantle.

Paul Bunyon in baseball togs!