Number 7 will never be worn in the Bronx again, as the Yankees retire Mickey Mantle’s number on June 8, 1969. 7 would join 3 (Ruth), 4 (Gehrig) and 5 (DiMaggio) as the only retired numbers at the time.
61,157 fans came out to honor Mick, making it the first sellout at the stadium since the 1964 World Series. Whitey Ford presented him with a uniform and Joe DiMaggio presented him with his plaque that will be hung on the center field wall. In turn, Mick gave the Yankee Clipper a similar plaque, telling the crowd: “his has got to be hanging just a little but higher than mine.