RIP Bobby Murcer

That may be my first vivid baseball memory. I remember the day it happened my mom telling me and me storming out of the house and going to sit on the wall along the driveway by myself. I wasn't a Yankee fan, but I was five years old and I couldn't comprehend an athlete dying.

A night or two later, my dad and I were watching the pre-game ceremony and the camera caught an Oriole player crying. "Why are they crying?" I asked my dad. "Because they're sad Thurman Munson died," he said.

Blew. My. Mind.

Then Murcer has the game of a lifetime in honor of his best friend. Unbelievable.

He always seemed to be a kind and thoughtful man, two qualities not always in abundance in the game he played/covered. I imagine there won't be a lot of dry eyes at the Stadium at some point Tuesday. RIP.

 

I got his autograph back when he played for the Toledo Mud Hens. He sort of looped the "M" in his last name like Mantle did, if I remember correctly.

 

So tragic. A baseball game never sounded more enjoyable to my ears than when Bobby was calling the game. Now he's up with the Scooter, having a canoli or two in the big Press Box in the Sky.

I hope they do something nice for him at the ASG Tuesday.

PS - Even though this picture isn't exactly how I remember Bobby from back in the '90s, it's the best shot of him: smiling.

 

Wow that sucks- I remember when I took my first dip of Skoal -inspired by Skoal dippin man - Bobby Murcer.

 

Let me say this. Murcer's playing career was fine, but what really matters in my mind is that he was a wonderful human being, friendly and accessible in a clubhouse that wasn't always easy. That's what I prefer remembering about Murcer.

And one other thing. I am so glad we in the NY chapter of the BBWAA presented him with an award last February. He attended and was so grateful, he had the audience in tears.

RIP to a nice, nice man who was respectful to everyone.

 

RIP to Murcer.

 

He was my favorite player as a kid. He seemed a bit grouchy the one time I met him -- it would have been 1980, the year after Munson died, or possibly 1981 -- but he could have just been having a bad day.