Since his death in August, 1995, he has taken on icon status comparible to Elvis or Marilyn Monroe. One book about his life was entitled "The Last Hero." Who is he?

The legendary New York Yankees center fielder Mickey Mantle perfectly fits this description. His death from cancer in August 1995 sparked a national outpouring of grief that solidified his status as a cultural icon far beyond the world of sports. The title of David Falkner's definitive biography, "The Last Hero," captures how an entire generation viewed him: a powerful, handsome hero from America's heartland who dominated the game's biggest stage during its golden age.

On the field, "The Commerce Comet" was a phenomenon. A switch-hitter with breathtaking power from both sides of the plate, he led the Yankees to seven World Series championships and hit 536 career home runs. His performance was made even more remarkable by the fact that he played through constant, agonizing pain from a series of leg injuries that began in high school.

This combination of immense talent, physical vulnerability, and a well-documented off-field life of hard drinking made him a deeply compelling and tragic figure. After his playing days, Mantle was open about his struggles with alcoholism, famously warning a new generation, "Don't be like me." This late-life candor, combined with his undeniable greatness, cemented his legacy as a flawed American icon whose fame has only grown since his passing.