Another Yankee Great Says Good Bye

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Posted By: <b>bruce Dorskind</b><p><br /><br />We were saddened to hear that Bobby Murcer passed away<br />this afternoon.<br /><br />Bobby brought life and energy to the Yankees for many years<br />after their glory days. He was a wonderful man, a fine broadcaster<br />and a true Yankee.<br /><br />We will never forget the night after Turman Munson's funeral<br />when Bobby, who wept openly during the funeral service, truly delivered<br />for the Yankees as they came from behind to win 5-4.<br />Bobby drove in all five runs including a walkoff game winning<br />hit in the bottom of the ninth.<br /><br />So long and farewell, Bobby<br /><br /><br />Bruce Dorskind<br />America's Toughest Want List

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Posted By: <b>Rawn Hill</b><p>Amen.

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Posted By: <b>brock</b><p>He was a great person on and off the field.

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Posted By: <b>bruce Dorskind</b><p><br />Bobby Murcer, a personable, popular five-time All-Star who went on to a successful broadcasting career with the New York Yankees, died Saturday after a battle with brain cancer. He was 62.<br />After experiencing a general lack of energy, Murcer was diagnosed with a tumor on Christmas Eve 2006, undergoing surgery at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Pathology reports later revealed the tumor to be malignant.<br /><br />After being diagnosed, Murcer commented in an upbeat spirit, thanking fans for their prayers and warm wishes -- many of which were delivered in the form of letters and e-mails directly to his hospital bed.<br /><br />"My heart remains true to Yankees fans," Murcer said on Jan. 24. "I've always believed you're the very best in baseball. It's your steadfast spirit that keeps me feeling so optimistic."<br /><br />Murcer played in the Major Leagues for 17 seasons, including making four All-Star appearances with the Yankees.<br /><br />A lifetime .277 batter, Murcer hit 252 home runs and drove in 1,043 runs in 1,908 Major League games with the Yankees, San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs.<br /><br />He was the only Yankee to play with both Mickey Mantle and Don Mattingly, and was arguably the franchise's most popular player of the era immediately following Mantle's retirement after the 1968 season.<br /><br />Murcer was hailed as another Mantle when he emerged from the Yankees' system in the mid-1960s. Both players were signed out of Oklahoma as shortstops by the same scout, Tom Greenwade, prompting comparisons.<br /><br />As history shows, Murcer could not match comparisons to the Hall of Famer's lofty credentials, but he assembled an admirable Major League career.<br /><br />One of his best seasons came in 1971, when Murcer led the American League with a .427 on-base percentage and ranked second in the circuit with a career-high .331 batting average.<br /><br />After struggling with adjustments to Shea Stadium, where the Yankees played in 1974 and 1975 while Yankee Stadium was being renovated, Murcer was traded to the Giants in 1975 for outfielder Bobby Bonds.<br /><br />He would be dealt to the Cubs in 1977, only to return and finish his career with the Yankees from 1979 through 1983.<br /><br />Perhaps Murcer's most memorable moment came on Aug. 6, 1979, in the wake of Yankees captain Thurman Munson's untimely death in a plane crash.<br /><br />Munson and Murcer had been close friends. As the Yankees returned to New York from Munson's funeral service in Ohio, manager Billy Martin suggested that Murcer -- who had delivered a moving eulogy for the catcher -- sit out that evening's game against the Baltimore Orioles.<br /><br />Murcer disagreed, telling Martin that something was telling him to play, and that he did not feel tired. Dedicating his performance to Munson, Murcer drove in all of New York's runs in a 5-4 victory, slugging a three-run homer and a game-winning two-run single.<br /><br />Murcer was also just the fourth Yankee to hit home runs in four consecutive at-bats, joining Lou Gehrig, Johnny Blanchard and Mantle.<br /><br />For most of the last 24 years, Murcer had worked as a Yankees broadcaster, winning three Emmy awards for live sports coverage.<br /><br />Murcer worked as a radio color analyst from 1983-85 before moving to television as a commentator in 1987, and also served as the Yankees' assistant general manager in 1986.<br /><br />He helped the baseball family immensely through his efforts as chairman of the Baseball Assistance Team, which raises funds for former players who have fallen on hard times. Murcer was also the president of the Oklahoma City 89ers Minor League baseball club in the mid-1980s.<br /><br />Murcer is survived by his wife, Kay, and two children, Tori and Todd.

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Posted By: <b>howard</b><p>A real class act. He'll get the longest standing ovation at the all-star game on Tuesday.

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Posted By: <b>Jodi Birkholm</b><p>...and fully deserves it. Just a sweet human being--'nuf ced.

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Very sad indeed...this is the first I heard of it. He was so sick, and I thought he was rallying. It was not to be.

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Posted By: <b>Brian</b><p>Very sad indeed. I will remember him as much for his play and the Thurman memorial as for his broadcasting, which I enjoyed very much. I was extremely skeptical about reports of his improved condition, given that he suffered from brain cancer, which is too terrible for words. May he rest in peace.<br />Brian

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Posted By: <b>Scot Reader</b><p><br />Bobby Murcer tossed me my first authentic MLB baseball during warm-ups at Anaheim Stadium circa 1980. One of my fondest childhood memories. May he rest in peace.

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Posted By: <b>Alan</b><p>Very sad to hear. He was my absolute favorite player for a 2-3 year stretch in the early 1970's.

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Posted By: <b>CN</b><p> It is ironic but I got to know Bobby in 1974 when I worked at Shea. He had a tough time adjusting to the New dimensions but always was his cheerful self and still made the all-star team that year. He made it from 1971 to 1975 but unfortunately did not make it the year it was played in Yankee Stadium. It is also unfortunate that his only W.S. appearance was in 1981 which the Yanks lost. I lost a good friend today who also seemed as if nothing bothered him. God Bless. CN

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Posted By: <b>BcD</b><p>a kind,considerate man with true knowledge of his beloved sport. RIP Bobby~<br /><br />sad<br><br>BcD <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>