Grove Businessman Honors Mickey Mantle

Grove entrepreneur Terry G. Hembree has recently made available for viewing, his private collection of Mickey Mantle memorabilia. Open to the public in the Hollywood At Home Video Super Store is the new "Mickey Mantle Memorial Exhibit."

As you walk into the entry of Hollywood you are greeted with nostalgic black and white tiled floor. On the back wall is a mural hand-painted by Hembree of "The Commerce Comet," deep in thought as he rests his head on a bat, as if in reflection of the exhibit. As you get closer to the exhibit you will hear the old time baseball announcer referring to Mantle at bat as his final game before retirement is played over Goldie Burtrum’s (Hembree’s grandmother) old wooden floor radio, the center of the exhibit is graced with a background of the American flag, a 11x17 color picture of Mickey signing a bat, a number "7" Yankees jersey, the world’s largest motion card of Mickey swing lefty and righty, a Mickey Mantle embroidered golf bag and clubs, a mannequin of a youngster with hands in the air as he is about to catch a Mickey Mantle ball in flight, flowers and a flickering candle inside a crystal dome.

The most recent enlargement and addition of the exhibit include four complete walls from floor to ceiling that are filled with treasures of the life and times of Oklahoma legend Mickey Mantle. Custom glass display cases, shelving and exhibit area construction was provided by one of Hembree's most valued friends, Coy and Karen Mayfield owners of Minute Man Machine in Noel, MO.

The exhibit features thousands of Mantle pieces, everything from his younger days in Commerce through his Baxter Springs Whiz Kids days, the New York Yankees, his business interests in the Mickey Mantle Bowling Center, Country Cookin’ Restaurants, Mickey Mantle’s Holiday Inn, numerous endorsed products, movies such as "A Touch Of Mink" and "Safe At Home," and then on to his later years of Mickey Mantle Celebrity Golf Tournaments and his much sought after autograph sessions.

A multitude of memorabilia items including every statue and figurine released, 24 Kt. Gold collectors plates, mugs, steins, bobbing head dolls, action figures, toys, medallions in silver, gold, platinum and pewter, stuffed bears, game boards, numerous Highland Mint items, stamps, cachets, Wheaties boxes and lots more.

Yankee day items such as uniforms, jerseys, jackets, caps, Mantle baseballs, bats, game day bats, miniature bats, gloves, souvenir items, buttons, patches, yearbooks, pennants, letters, game photos and other such related items including a replica of Mick's World Series ring.

Autographed balls, gloves, bats, cleats, trading cards, golf clubs, golf balls, books, plaques, documents, contracts, letters, posters, prints, lithographs, business cards, odd-ball items and others.

No exhibit would be complete without the famous Mickey Mantle ball cards, a wide variety of cards from every outlet is on display, uncut sheets, porcelain cards, oversize cards, 24 Kt. Gold and silver cards, proofs and prototypes.

Awards, letters and government presentations such as a letter from President Clinton praising Hembree on his efforts and an Honorary Secretary Of State presentation naming Mantle from the State of Oklahoma on Hembree’s behalf, and a letter from the Upper Deck Company concerning the effort Hembree has made to keep the memory of Mantle alive.

Periodical section includes books, magazines, newspapers, yearbooks, videos, post cards and a dozens upon dozens of black and white as well as color photographs and wire photos from the early years through his final days.

Interactive TV monitors play Mantle game highlights, interviews and stories told by Mick' which is an exciting part of the memorial, also featuring digital voice displays where you can push a button and hear the familiar voice of Mickey.

A few shelves in the exhibit have also been dedicated to Mickey's all time pal Roger Maris, a case with final day pictures, funeral photos, programs, flowers and baseballs signed by the pallbearers.

Hembree has created not only a time-line of Mantle's career and life but he has also mixed in showcards with information, statistics, and interesting comments on Mantle to inform and educate the public and younger generation on this great athlete.

Hembree became acquainted through marketing and promoting Mantle’s Charity Golf Tournaments, and has always had numerous Mantle items on his office walls that everyone wanted to go in and view.

After the passing of Mantle, Hembree and his wife Valerie decided to dedicate space in their business for a exhibit of the items. After numerous health problems, Hembree had plenty of recuperation time and began adding to the collection. Today it has grown to over 20 times the original display, in fact the area media have dubbed the couple’s endeavors "A Project Of The Heart, Keeping The Memory Of Mickey Mantle Alive."

"People have no idea of all the good Mick’ did for his fellow man," Hembree stated "I know there are plenty of horror stories out there of his drinking days and such, but people need to realize what a terrific athlete Mick’ was and how he performed a lot of the time injured when he should have not even been out on the field... You couldn’t stop Mickey."

There is no fee or admission for the viewing of this exhibit, nor will there ever be as Hembree is very strong in his feelings, "There are people out there that are making more money selling Mantle items than Mick’ made playing ball, I just don’t feel that people should make money off a dead person, let alone one that most of them didn’t even know... I just wasn’t raised that way, besides I loved the guy!"

Johnny Blanchard, Yankee teammate recently visited Hembree at the exhibit and it brought tears to his eyes, "That is the reason I do this," Hembree said "Not for a monetary gain but for the good feeling it gives me for the fans, friends and family to come in and share the Mickey Mantle experience, to share a story, to relive a favorite time in life when Mickey was at bat." Blanchard said "Terry... Mick' would be so proud of what you have done to remember him, this is the best thing I've ever saw."

"The only bad thing in this effort is the fact that the City Of Grove, our Chamber of Commerce and Grand Lake Association hasn't gotten behind this exhibit as it could be used as a drawing card for the community, it could be offered as an alternative so to speak to Har-Ber Village, for the guys that don’t want to spend the day looking at dolls, plates and other displays... They could drop off the ladies and view the Mantle collection."

In a recent email on the "Mickey Mantle Memorial On-Line Exhibit" at www.grandlakevisitor.com/spotlt.htm a guestbook entry stated... "This is 'The Grove, OK. answer to COOPERSTOWN!' What a delight for visitor's to the area as well as residents to have such a grand collection to view. Best of all... This museum shows the essence of "The American Dream" ...that a small town lad of humble origins can make good in America; It also presents a devoted fan’s dedication and sincere affection. Countless visitors - in person or on the net - are grateful for Terry’s sharing this handsome array of Mantle memorabilia. Thank you, Audrey of Arkansas"

"This is what it’s all about, something extra to give our Grand Lake Visitor’s," added Hembree.

Hembree’s exhibit is open daily from 1 P.M. to close Monday through Saturday, and is located at "536" West Third Street, Suite "7" in the Lakeview Shopping Center next to Cheapo Depo in Grove, Oklahoma.