Mickey & Billy

An unflinching, all–access look at the friendship between Mickey Mantle and Billy Martin, two of the most beloved New York Yankees and two flawed heroes who battled the colliding forces of success and self–destruction. Through meticulous research and exclusive interviews with the late Mickey Mantle and Billy Martin, journalist and historian Tony Castro poignantly reveals the double–edged sword of their friendship, how the New York Yankees legends—an inseparable duo—epitomized the larger-than-life spirit of their era, along with the repercussions. Castro’s Mickey & Billy not only shares the enduring legacy of two of baseball’s iconic figures but also provides a deeper understanding of their enabling friendship, ambition, and the dark side of fame. But behind the glory and the championships, Mantle and Martin were men plagued by their demons. They lived life at full throttle and their off–the–field exploits became notorious: wild partying, barroom brawls, and run–ins with the law. The pressures and temptations of stardom led them down a path of alcoholism and other excesses that would ultimately take a toll on their bodies, their careers, and their lives. As the years wore on, the very traits that made Mantle and Martin extraordinary figures exacted a heavy price, but through it all, their friendship was the saving grace. Only together could Mick and Billy face life’s next difficult pitch.