Somerset Patriots To Honor Mantle With Bobblehead and Son’s Appearance

The Somerset Patriots will host Yankees Heritage Night at TD Bank Ballpark on Friday, July 31. They face the Richmond Flying Squirrels. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.

According to MILB.com, a bobblehead of the Yankees legend goes to the first 1,000 adults entering the ballpark. Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey sponsors this giveaway.

Danny Mantle, son of the Hall of Famer, will attend the game. He'll answer questions on the field before play begins, toss out a ceremonial first pitch, and greet fans on the main concourse while the game happens.

This marks the fifth Yankees Heritage Night the Patriots have organized. Past events paid tribute to Elston Howard, Yogi Berra, Joe Torre, and Babe Ruth.

Mickey Mantle spent 18 seasons with the Yankees, from 1951 through 1968. His numbers: 536 homers, 1,676 runs scored, 2,415 hits, 1,509 runs batted in, and a .298 batting average.

"The Mick" claimed seven World Series championships in 1951, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, and 1962. Three American League MVP awards followed in 1956, 1957, and 1962.

The switch-hitting slugger captured the Triple Crown in 1956. Managers picked him for 20 All-Star Games from 1952 to 1968. The National Baseball Hall of Fame welcomed him in 1974.

The Patriots work as the Double-A affiliate for the Yankees, developing prospects who might reach the majors. Baseball America named them Double-A Organization of the Year in 2024. Minor League Baseball gave them that same recognition in 2025.

The Richmond Flying Squirrels play as the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. TD Bank Ballpark sits in Bridgewater, New Jersey.