A view to greatness

The paths of Mickey Mantle’s two homers 69 years ago today

Playing right field for Washington, power hitter Jim Lemon has a perfect view to one of the more awe-inspiring moments in the Hall of Fame career of Mickey Mantle, who drills a fifth-inning pitch from Pedro Ramos off the top of the frieze hanging above the third deck in old Yankee Stadium 69 years ago today.

Jim Lemon

Mantle comes within 18 inches of being the first player to hit a fair ball completely out of Yankee Stadium.

Accounting for trajectory, team officials estimate Mantle’s three-run homer – if not for striking the frieze – would travel 525 feet.

Oh, as usual, the Yankees top the Senators, this time 4-3 in the first game of a 1956 doubleheader sweep before a Wednesday afternoon crowd of 29,825 in the Bronx.

The Yankees also win the second game 12-5 with Mantle hitting another homer – a slightly more ordinary one – with a fifth-inning solo drive off Washington’s Camilio Pascual that sails into the bleachers in right-center.