My first game was Aug. 18, 1968 at Oakland, I was 14. My dad was in the Air Force and we happened to be living in Northern California at the time. I was a big Yankees and Mantle fan so my dad took my brother and I to see them. If you look at the box score you won't see a certain name in it. He was given the day off. Just my luck! My only chance to see Mantle play in the flesh and he sits it out.
Although, with binoculars, I did see him pick up a bat a couple of times late in the game. The game was still fantastic. Rocky Colavito threw out Campy Campaneris at home with a bullet throw from deep left field to help preserve the tie. The Yankees won in the 10th. Oh, yeah, there was a 2-inning old-timers game before the Yanks and A's played. The '48 San Francisco Seals against the '48 Oakland Oaks. A trio of DiMaggio brothers played in it.