I remember that both Mantle and Mays retired about the same time. I think the maximum salary either one made during their playing days was about $125,000 a year. Shortly after they retired baseball salaries started to sky rocket. Mantle and Mays were offered "greeter" jobs with an AC casino, I don't remember which one. And they were banned from MLB because of their jobs with the casino, not because of gambling.

I am a life long Mantle fan and it is hugely disappointing to me that he never had anyone to give him good advise. Or perhaps he just wasn't able to take good advise when it was offered to him. Billy Martin taught him how to drink and chase women. Mantle's father died young as did other male members of the family and he never thought he would live to long so he lived just for the moment. He perhaps had more talent than any other player in the sport. I believe he still holds the record for the fastest time from home to 1st base. That's amazing for a home run hitter. Although his accomplishments on the field are well documented, off the field distractions and injuries took away his chances to become the best that he could be.