Mr. Yankee dies at 62

By Bob Hersom

Published: July 13, 2008

Bobby Murcer, one of the most personable and popular players in major league baseball history, died Saturday at Mercy Hospital, surrounded by his family.

The Oklahoma City native was 62. He had battled brain cancer for 19 months.

Murcer, who was a New York Yankees broadcaster after his 17-year major-league playing career, was diagnosed with a brain tumor on Christmas Eve 2006. He underwent surgery at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where doctors discovered that the tumor was malignant.

In May, Murcer's autobiography, "Yankee for Life,” was published. The book received widespread critical acclaim.

Murcer was an All-Star in five straight seasons from 1971-75. Overall, he batted .277 with 252 home runs and 1,043 runs batted in.

He was considered to be the most popular Yankees player since the retirement of Mickey Mantle, another famous Oklahoma ballplayer, in 1968. Murcer is the only Yankee to play with both Mantle and Don Mattingly.

Murcer was hailed as "the next Mickey Mantle” when he initially joined the Yankees in 1965, his second year in pro ball. Like Mantle, Murcer was a 19-year-old Yankee shortstop from Oklahoma who had been signed by scout Tom Greenwade.

Like Mantle, Murcer eventually became an outstanding outfielder. After Mantle retired as a player in 1968, Murcer inherited The Mick's starting spot in center field, as well as his locker at Yankee Stadium.

"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 played for the Yankees from 1965-74 and 1979-83. He also played for the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs. After the 1974 season, the Yankees traded him to San Francisco for Bobby Bonds, Barry Bonds' father. Murcer's career statistics would have been even better had he not served in the U.S. Army during the 1967-68 seasons.

Daily News sportswriter Bill Madden described Murcer as "a Yankee institution as a player and broadcaster for 40 years” and "the last link with the Mickey Mantle-Roger Maris Yankee years.”

Baseball commissioner Bud Selig said, "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. 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.”

After retiring as a player in 1983, Murcer spent a quarter century as a Yankees broadcaster, winning three Emmy awards for live sports coverage.

He also was the Yankees' assistant general manager in 1986 He also was chairman of the Baseball Assistance Team, which raises money for former players and officials who have fallen on hard times. Murcer also was president of the Oklahoma City '89ers from 1989-92.

Murcer was a terrific all-around athlete at Southeast High School in Oklahoma City, as the Spartans' star quarterback, halfback and outfielder. In the winter of 1964, he signed a letter of intent to play football at Oklahoma, but in the spring of '65 he signed a $20,000 bonus contract with the Yankees.

Probably the most well-known ballgame Murcer ever played was Aug. 6, 1979, shortly after the Yankees had returned from the funeral in Ohio of catcher Thurman Munson. Murcer had delivered a moving eulogy at the funeral, and Yankees manager Billy Martin asked if he would prefer to sit out the game that night.

Murcer said he wanted to play, and he dedicated the game to Munson. Murcer then drove in all of the Yankees' runs in a 5-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

A family service will be held within the next several days in Oklahoma City. In addition, a celebration of Murcer's life will be held at a date to be determined, the Yankees said.

Bobby and Kay Murcer, married for 41 years, made their home in the Oklahoma City area since 1971, in addition to having a home in California. Bobby and Kay also raised two children, daughter Tori and son Todd.

Contributing: The Associated Press