Mantle Receives Transfusion

Mickey Mantle received another blood transfusion and his doctor said the baseball great could face more of them in his fight against cancer.

The 63-year-old Mantle is suffering from anemia brought on by chemotherapy used to treat his lung cancer. The cancer spread from his liver, which was so diseased that he underwent a transplant.

“It may not be that unusual if 48 hours from now we have to do (another transfusion),” Dr. Daniel DeMarco said. “He’s relaxing and watching TV. His spirits are really pretty good.”

Mantle remains in stable condition, although the extra treatment means he won’t be going home today as initially planned. DeMarco says Mantle likely won’t be released for at least a few more days.

Dick Bartell, a shortstop who played in three World Series and the first All-Star game, died late Friday in Alameda, Calif. He was 87.

Bartell, whose aggressive play earned him the nickname “Rowdy Richard,” died at a convalescent hospital following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

A lifetime .284 hitter, Bartell played all or part of 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Philadelphia Phillies, the New York Giants, the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago Cubs.