RIP Bobby Murcer

[EStreetJoe]

Bobby Murcer has died. Story's not on the wire yet, but it is on the NY Daily News website.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2008/07/12/2008-07-12_until_the_very_end_bobby_murcer_showed_h.html

Only remember him from the end of his career in the late 70s/early 80s with the Yankees and as a broadcaster. He will be missed.


Edit: Also on the YESNetwork website:
http://web.yesnetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080712&content_id=1448715&oid=36019&vkey=4

 

[Moderator1]

FOX just did something on him during the D-backs-Phillies game

 

[pallister]

I remember watching him play for the Cubs when I was a little kid. RIP.

 

[EStreetJoe]

the caption on the Murcer photo on the YES Network website:

Bobby Murcer will be back in broadcast booth on Friday. (AP)

 

[JackS]

Man, I just read some really inspiring stories on both Bobby Murcer and Tony Snow recently too, on how upbeat both were after their treatments.

That attitude obviously only allows you to enjoy the time you have left, not extend it.

 

[pressboxramblings07]

Rest in peace, Mr. Murcer. A great Yankee, indeed.

 

[D-Backs Hack]

Sadly, this is one of those passings we knew was coming but still feels like a punch in the gut. Murcer was a mainstay on some awful late-1970s Cubs teams (Hi, pallister) that were a joy to watch because it was my first, glorious exposure to Major League Baseball.

But his shining moment was a gutty August 1979 tilt against the Orioles on ABC's Monday Night Baseball, when, hours after eulogizing Thurman Munson, drove in all five Yankees runs in a comeback victory. I've seen the ESPN Classic replay several times, and it never fails to send chills up the spine.

RIP.

 

[forever_town]

That attitude obviously only allows you to enjoy the time you have left, not extend it.

There's great value in that, too.

A sad day in baseball. RIP.

 

[pallister]

Somewhere I have a book of autographs from the players on those late '70s Cubs teams. I'm almost positive Murcer is among them.

 

[shotglass]

Bobby Murcer had a world of talent. He was one of those guys who you could spot in the middle of the airport and say "baseball player."

He'll be missed.

 

[patchs]

A true Yankee and I can imagine him reuniting with Mickey and Thurm.
I enjoyed him as a broadcaster and am glad he is no longer suffering.
RIP Bobby.

 

[patchs]

Michael Kay is choking up on YES, over the phone.
Wow.

 

[BYH]

Sadly, this is one of those passings we knew was coming but still feels like a punch in the gut. Murcer was a mainstay on some awful late-1970s Cubs teams (Hi, pallister) that were a joy to watch because it was my first, glorious exposure to Major League Baseball.

But his shining moment was a gutty August 1979 tilt against the Orioles on ABC's Monday Night Baseball, when, hours after eulogizing Thurman Munson, drove in all five Yankees runs in a comeback victory. I've seen the ESPN Classic replay several times, and it never fails to send chills up the spine.

RIP.

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.

 

[micropolitan guy]

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.

 

[Michael Echan]

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.

 

[Boom_70]

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

 

[casty33]

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.

 

[Bubbler]

RIP to Murcer.

 

[Frank_Ridgeway]

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.