whomper Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 (edited) I am not a Yankees fan but growing up in the NJ/NY area I have heard Bobby call many games. He seemed like a class act Ex-Yankees star, broadcaster Murcer dies at 62 July 12, 2008 CBSSports.com wire reports NEW YORK -- Former All- Star outfielder and longtime Yankees broadcaster Bobby Murcer has died at 62. The Yankees said Murcer died Saturday due to complications from brain cancer. He was surrounded by family at Mercy Hospital in his hometown of Oklahoma City, the team said. While with the Yankees, Bobby Murcer made the All-Star team for five straight seasons. (Getty Images) "Bobby Murcer was a born Yankee, a great guy, very well-liked and a true friend of mine," Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said. "I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife Kay, their children and grandchildren. I will really miss the guy." Murcer was diagnosed with a brain tumor on Christmas Eve 2006 after having headaches. He had surgery that week in Houston and doctors later determined the tumor was malignant. The only person to play with Mickey Mantle and Don Mattingly, the popular Murcer hit .277 with 252 home runs and 1,043 RBI in 17 seasons with the Yankees, San Francisco and the Chicago Cubs. He made the All-Star team in both leagues and won a Gold Glove. "All of Major League Baseball is saddened today by the passing of Bobby Murcer, particularly on the eve of this historic All-Star game at Yankee Stadium, a place he called home for so many years," commissioner Bud Selig said. "Bobby was a gentleman, a great ambassador for baseball, and a true leader both on and off the field. He was a man of great heart and compassion." Always a fan favorite in New York and known for his folksy manner as a broadcaster, Murcer won three Emmy Awards for live sports coverage. His most dramatic words came on one of the saddest days in Yankees history. Murcer delivered one of the eulogies in Ohio after captain Thurman Munson was killed in a plane crash in August 1979. The team flew home after the funeral and, that night, Murcer hit a three-run homer and then a two-run single in the bottom of the ninth to beat Baltimore 5-4. A tearful Murcer fell into the arms of teammate Lou Piniella after the game and gave his bat to Munson's wife. "There is no way to explain what happened," Murcer said. "We used every ounce of strength to go out and play that game. We won it for Thurman." Touted by many in New York as the next Mantle -- they were both from Oklahoma, played shortstop and came with strokes fit for Yankee Stadium's short right-field porch -- Murcer made his major league debut as a 19-year-old in 1965. After serving in the U.S. Army during the 1967-68 seasons, Murcer homered on opening day in front of President Nixon in 1969 at Washington to launch a career as a full-time player. Murcer moved from shortstop to third base to begin that year, but soon was playing in center field, Mantle's old spot. Murcer also took over Mantle's locker. Edited July 12, 2008 by whomper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wolf Posted July 12, 2008 Share Posted July 12, 2008 I am not a Yankees fan but growing up in the NJ/NY area I have heard Bobby call many games. He seemed like a class act Murcer delivered one of the eulogies in Ohio after captain Thurman Munson was killed in a plane crash in August 1979. The team flew home after the funeral and, that night, Murcer hit a three-run homer and then a two-run single in the bottom of the ninth to beat Baltimore 5-4. A tearful Murcer fell into the arms of teammate Lou Piniella after the game and gave his bat to Munson's wife. "There is no way to explain what happened," Murcer said. "We used every ounce of strength to go out and play that game. We won it for Thurman." He was a class act, Whomp...one of the best, most humble and down-to-earth athletes I have ever met. Just a sweet man and a, well, you said it best...a class act. The game referenced above was my first ever Yankee game. My Dad called me with the news earlier as he knew Bobby became one of my faves after that game and we reminisced. Baseball is an amazing bond between father and son. I digress...rest well Bobby. You're with Thurman now. God Bless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ts Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 Sad to hear - one of my favorite players ... as mentioned above, he always seemed to be a class act as well as a very, very good player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 He made one of the first 'memorable' catches that I never forgot when I was a kid as a right fielder for the Cubs. Darn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLAYER Posted July 13, 2008 Share Posted July 13, 2008 I will never forget that day he beat the Orioles after Thurman was laid to rest. A Great Yankee and a Great Man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.