#19: His Family Life

Though Mantle had a loving wife, Merlyn, and four sons, his home life was often troubled by his alcoholism. He married Merlyn Johnson in 1951, and they remained married for the rest of his life, though the relationship was frequently strained.

Mickey’s long road trips, late-night partying, and personal demons made it hard for him to be a steady father or husband. Still, he remained close with his sons and was devastated when one of them, Billy Mantle, died from cancer in 1994. Mantle later admitted his regrets about how alcohol had affected his family life and priorities.