Mantle Had No Time To Enjoy His ‘New’ Life

The wife of Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle said he never really had a chance to enjoy his second life, one without alcohol.

Merlyn Mantle told the New York Daily News in today’s editions that the former New York Yankees center fielder was just starting to enjoy life again when cancer led to his death Sunday at the age of 63.

“He could have had a whole new life if it had not been for the cancer,” Mrs. Mantle told the paper. “It’s not fair in a way, but it’s God’s plan. This is just very sad.”

The Mantles were separated for several years, but remained close.

“We were best friends… . He loved me and I loved him. We were never apart. We spent holidays together, anniversaries and birthdays - me and Mick and the children. The children wanted it that way. We never even talked about divorce. Neither of us wanted that or mentioned it,” she said.

Mantle is also survived by three sons - David, who was at his side when he passed away early Sunday in Dallas - Mickey Jr. and Danny.

Merlyn Mantle said the death of their son Billy, who suffered a heart attack and died last year at the age of 36, moved them closer together.

Mantle began drinking early in his baseball career as a way to deal with the death of his father, who died at 41 from Hodgkin’s disease.

Last year, he admitted drinking became a problem he couldn’t kick. He realized he was an alcoholic and sought treatment.

Mrs. Mantle told the Daily News she too began to drink heavily and it took a toll on their lives that took years to straighten out.

“I was in there partying and doing the same thing as Mick,” she said. “That was our life and I was a part of it. I can’t deny that. It ruins families.”

Seven years ago, she left Mickey and their troubled marriage for Al Anon, a support group for relatives and friends of alcoholics.

“It saved my life,” she told the paper. “In getting help for myself, I think I probably made my family aware that there is help out there.

“My two sons got sober and Mick got sober, too. I thank God that my sons have gotten sober younger. I think our whole family is on the road to recovery. It’s a disease and it’s a bad one. The only thing missing now is the man who cemented the family together.”