Bob Costas gives eulogy for Mickey Mantle

8/15/95: Bob Costas gives an emotional eulogy for Mickey Mantle


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Join the conversation!

[michaelcasey]

Excellent eulogy by Costas. Mantle was and is one of my heroes since I was 7 years old. I’ll be 75 next month. Mantle was a great player and teammate.

[kizz]

Bob is such a class act, one of the greatest broadcasters of all time with an encyclopedic knowledge of the game of baseball.

[dessertaz]

I met him when I was about 12 or 13. I shook his hand and felt the greatness in that man. My dad actually introduced him to me like they had been friends for years. What a great day I will never forget. Thank you Dad I miens you and We love you Mick!!

[danlum]

Bob Costas is great, and the perfect eulogizer for MM.

[rrfirefly]

Gosh darn it, THAT is the most eloquent and moving eulogy I've heard. Bob Costas, you delivered the perfect words that meant a whole lot to many of us. Thank you.

[turtleflegel]

Mantle had humility, rarest of all qualities among those with great talents.

[glennbasile]

Wow, I became so choked up during the Costas eulogy, I had trouble swallowing sips of coffee. When his speech was over, I had to wash my face, for simply drying my eyes was insufficient. Thanks, Bob! And thanks to a great hero😂👍

[carolcoco]

I loved mickey when I was 16 & still love him today 72 years later
A great player, a baseball hero, an honest man. He's always touched my heart.

[bean]

The world is a better place because Mantle existed and gave US the best in the game of baseball AND life.

[randyc]

Mickey Mantle was baseball. I was a young kid in the late
50s and 60s. He was our hero. He still is.

[TheGconrad]

2020 and hearing this eulogy made me cry again. We miss you Mick.

[rocket]

A humble champion we will never see again.

[robertmccluskey]

Mickey was my first hero, I was a student of everything he did during the 50s. I always had an argument for Mantle as the best all around player in the game, best of those that included Willie Mays and Hank Aaron. I used to say that he he held the record for the fastest time to first base (3.1secs) and the longest home run ever hit in a major league ballgame (569 ft, off Chuck Stobbs in D. C.). I don't know if those things are still true (they were when I first said them in the 1950s) but he was, by acclimation, the most incredible combination of speed and power. He remains the last player to lead both leagues in the triple crown categories (HRs, RBIs and B.A.) in 1956. His honesty however at the end of his life is the thing I am most proud of him for. He told a difficult truth because he really hoped to affect those that might wander into the same difficulties. That quality of courage and mercy allows him to remain the hero he once was to me, in an even more important way. You're still the best to me Mickey...

[mattmccrosson]

As a boy Mickey meant everything to me. He was at his greatest towards the end as he addressed the issues that plagued him all those years. While I miss The Mick, I realize how lucky I was to have had him in my life.

[jorgeb]

I always liked watching the World Series listening to Costas tell stories all game long.. Mcarver and Vince Scully, Phil Rizzuto, the game back then seemed much more special than it will ever be today!

[JohnChubbSr]

Great job, Bob Costas! Mickey is still special!!!

[surfside]

Mickey Mantel was my hero as a kid. I saw him play the old Washington Senators in Griffith Park. He batted left handed and you could see the power in his swing. This was an era of simpler times and I think in many ways better times. I teared up when I heard this eulogy. And it reminds me of things since past. But not forgotten.

[JimB]

Absolutely beautiful. Probably the best speech I have ever heard. So insightful and heartfelt. Amazing.

[stevenwatson]

Mr. Mantle was that guy you would want to have a beer with and listen to all his stories . R.I.P Mick !

[brucegelman]

Beautiful. Mantle was a great symbol of strength, fragility, and redemption.And a damn fine baseball player too