He called an inning with the YES Network crew, and once his presence was pointed out on the video scoreboard, he received a standing ovation from the crowd, with the Yankees coming out of the dugout to applaud him. Murcer and his wife stayed up all night with Munsons widow, Diana, in the hours before Munsons funeral attended by the Yankees, who flew to Canton, Ohio, from New York and Murcer delivered a eulogy. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor (glioblastoma multiforme) on Christmas Eve, 2006, and underwent surgery four days later at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Bobby Murcer, Glen Waggoner. I CAN REMEMBER FOLLOWING BOBBY MURCER,S CAREER AS A LITTLE BOYONCE WRITING A BOOK ABOUT BOBBYSPLAYING DAYS..WHILE I WAS IN THE FIFTH GRADEAND GETTING AN A..ON MY SCHOOL PROJECT.NOT A DAY GOES BY.THAT BOBBY DID NOT TOUCH MY HEART..GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY..SIR YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART FOREVERTHANKS FOR THE MEMORIES YOU GAVE US ALL. After returning from the Army, Murcer began the 1969 season hitting .321, with 11 homers and a league-leading 43 runs-batted-in, when he jammed his heel in Kansas City. The book received widespread critical acclaim. It reminds you that the fans who follow the team, it's as big a part of their lives as it is for you."[17]. Active: Terry Francona , Rocco Baldelli , Dave Roberts , . NEW YORK (AP) - Bobby Murcer, a five-time All-Star outfielder who spent nearly four decades with the New York Yankees as a player, executive and announcer, has died. Whitney Houston's daughter died as a result of immersion in water and drug intoxication, medical records show. in Oklahoma City, OK A year later he became the highest-paid player in Yankee history, with a $120,000 contract. Zodiac Sign: Bobby Murcer was a Taurus. He shook his head in admiration at the movement on Ron Guidrys slider, and at how quickly he worked. [36], During his career, he invested in jewelry stores, an oil drilling company, a hair cutting establishment franchise called Yankee Cuts, and racehorses. Playing mostly for the Yankees, Murcer hit 252 home runs and had 1,862 hits and a .277 career batting average. Do you have a blog? Bobby Ray Murcer (May 20, 1946 - July 12, 2008) was an American professional baseball outfielder who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball between 1965 and 1983. That night, against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Murcer hit two home runs. He made the Sporting News All-Star team for the third time in his career and for the third time in three seasons he was Second-team All-MLB by both the AP and NEA. Murcer once recalled that after Steinbrenner gained control of the Yankees in 1973, "he told me that I was a big part of the Yankee tradition, and always would be." But after the 1974 season, the Yankees traded Murcer to the Giants for Bobby Bonds. Murcer returned to the Yankees in 1979, where he finished out his career as a designated hitter. Murcer's reckless playstyle and endearing personality not only made him a suitable successor to Mickey Mantle, but a beloved fan favorite in his years as a player and broadcaster.. Born: During 4+12 seasons in the National League, Murcer was particularly rough on the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Yankees devised this strategy specifically to protect Murcer, who spent 1967 and 1968 in the Army. Death Date - Jul 12, 2008 (age 62) Date of Birth: May 20, 1946: Place of Birth: Oklahoma City, OK: Star Sign: Taurus: Country: United States: Gender: Male: Birthday, Age & Zodiac Sign: Bobby Murcer birthday is on 20-May-46 and he was born on Monday. On June 30, Murcer's family released a statement that he had suffered a relapse: Bobby Murcer continues to recover from the effects of cancer and shingles, which caused him to cut short his broadcasting work and his book tour earlier this month. American baseball player and broadcaster (1946-2008), The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders, List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders, List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle, List of Major League Baseball annual runs scored leaders, "BabeRuthCentral.com interview, Mr. Bobby Murcer", "Longtime Yank Bobby Murcer dies at 62 after bout with brain cancer", "Murcer and Kenney Sign Contracts With Yankees", "Madlock Goes to Giants As Cubs Obtain Murcer,", "Between the seams: Munson items are going to auction", "Murcer Revisits Emotional Night About Munson", "Mourning the Death of a Teammate Is A Difficult Process for Players and Coaches", https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/murcebo01.shtml, "Baseball Reference, Fielding Leaders (Era)", "Oklahoma Hall of Fame Honorees Announced", "Tumor removed, Murcer recovering in hospital", "Yankee great Bobby Murcer skeptical of Mitchell Report", "Bobby Murcer, 62, Yankee on Field and Air, Dies", "The Tug McGraw Foundation Announces 2007 Fundraising Gala", "Until the very end, Bobby Murcer showed 'heart of a champion', "Family releases update on Yankees broadcaster Bobby Murcer", "Report: Yanks' broadcaster Bobby Murcer dies at 62", "Ex-Yankees star, broadcaster Murcer dies at 62", "Late Yankee slugger Bobby Murcer's life celebrated in Edmond", American League Outfielder Gold Glove Award, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bobby_Murcer&oldid=1139376383, Deaths from brain cancer in the United States, Florida Instructional League Yankees players, Articles with dead external links from February 2019, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, September 8,1965,for theNew York Yankees, 1963 Battlefield League Most Improved Player, 1965 Carolina League Most Valuable Player, 1975 NL All-Star team; Second-team All-NL (UPI), 1993 inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. For example, major external causes include suicide, motor vehicle accidents, and drug overdoses. The underlying cause of death is the disease or injury which initiated the train of morbid events leading directly or indirectly to death or the circumstances of the accident or violence which produced the fatal injury. On August 7, 1983, the Yankees honored his years in pinstripes with "Bobby Murcer Day". Sadly, Bobby Murcer never won a World Series with the New York . Murcer persuaded Billy Martin, the manager, that he was not too tired to play the fourth. Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 14 February 2023, at 20:36. On August 29, Murcer hit for the cycle. acceptable if another cause of death in a, b, or c requires referral to the coroner. Murcer made his first post-operative appearance on fellow Yankee broadcaster Michael Kay's radio show on WEPN on January 23, 2007. He would remain there until 2001 (calling, among other games, David Cone's 1999 perfect game), and then moved to the YES Network to call the games there and on its broadcast partners (originally WCBS, now WWOR-TV), with a reduced workload. Since baseball's contracts are guaranteed Murcer collected the remainder of his contract (estimated at $360,000 a year) through 1984. He was also the only Yankee to be teammates with Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, Thurman Munson, Elston Howard, Roger Maris, Reggie Jackson, Don Mattingly, and Ron Guidry. Bobby Murcer's Death - Cause and Date Born (Birthday) May 20, 1946 Death Date July 12, 2008 Age of Death 62 years Cause of Death Brain Tumor Profession Baseball Player The baseball player Bobby Murcer died at the age of 62. Additionally, he was fourth among NL right fielders in fielding percentage with .981. At his retirement, Bobby Murcer's 252 career home runs were tied for 72nd place on the all-time home run list, and his 175 home runs as a Yankee put him 11th on the club's career list. Bobby loved sports from the time he was a young boy. Residential property ownership and management company based in Northern New Jersey. Pre-Owned. The ABC broadcast featured a screen free of modern statistical and graphic clutter; there were few replays and almost no crowd and dugout shots. He played the majority of his career for the New York Yankees, whom he later rejoined as a longtime broadcaster. Full-year historical Major League statistics provided by Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden Game Sports. We present them here for purely educational purposes. May the family's and friends finds peace and strength during this time of sorrow from 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17. [18] He also led the club in slugging percentage (.470). Here is all you want to know, and more! He truly was a wonderful player, an awesome announcer , and a one of a kind Outstanding person and family man. Martin, 61, who died of head and neck injuries, was a member of five World Series championship teams with the Yankees during an 11-year playing career. Robert owned a jewelry store. Most Popular #172010. Alfonso Soriano and Russ Derry are the only other two Yankees to achieve that feat. About. Murcer also authored an autobiography, 2008's "Yankee for Life". SPONSORED. $3.99 shipping. Before he became an adult, he was playing for them. $5.99. In August 1993, Mantle presented Murcer for induction into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame at ceremonies in Oklahoma City. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. External causes of death are those from unintentional injuries, accidents (e.g., drowning, falls, traffic accidents), homicide, suicide, and undetermined. Want create site? He hit .301 with runners on third base. Among the 2,000 attending the service were Reggie Jackson, Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte and Joe Girardi. [29] The 2008 award, as announced three months later, went to longtime Seattle broadcaster Dave Niehaus. Much of the play-by-play, game results, and transaction information both shown and used to create certain data sets was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by RetroSheet. Bobby remains hopeful that he will be able to resume his broadcasting work down the road, but for now, is appreciative of the thoughts and prayers of his fans, and wants them to know that he is aware that he is in their hearts, as they are in his. Murcer was 19 years old when he broke into the big leagues on September 8, 1965, with the New York Yankees. "I mean, they never tested positive for any of that." $1.49 to $29.99. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. His father, Robert, owned several small jewelry stores. A generation-plus later, YES Network viewers will be able to see it at 9 p.m. Eastern on Monday because of a switch in its rights from ABC/ESPN to Major League Baseball. Thinking of you today also talked to your son Todd. In 1972, with a new $65,000 salary,[7] Murcer recorded a career-high 30 doubles (third in the AL), 7 triples (fourth), 33 home runs (second), and 96 RBIs (third). The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball, Did not play in major or minor leagues (Military Service), Salaries may not be complete (especially pre-1985) and may not include some earned bonuses. Bobby Murcer has not been elected into the Hall of Fame. He also led the Giants in game-winning hits with 13. On July 28, 1982, Murcer hit a 3-run pinch-hit home run to defeat the Detroit Tigers. [43], Two weeks later, on July 12, Nancy Newman of the Yankees' YES Network reported that Murcer had died due to complications related to brain cancer. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. As a senior, Murcer showed his athletic abilities by making All-State in both football (the state leading scorer) and baseball and was All-City (led the city in scoring) in basketball and baseball. Murcer was fourth in the AL in fielding percentage (.992) led the league in putouts (382), and was third in outfield assists with eleven. [1] In 1995, he joined with fellow Oklahoman Mickey Mantle to raise money for the victims of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing. Ten hours later the Cubs beat the Giants 32 at Wrigley Field and Murcer hit his 24th home run. The next year, Murcer won a Gold Glove award. The thought is that the second baseman and shortstop will be back on their heels and slow to cover the bag. After sharing the story of Murcer's pre-game phone call to the boy, Jackson ended the story with: "Scott Crull is dying of bone cancer.". Murcer signed a contract with Yankees' scout Tom Greenwade, the same scout who signed fellow Oklahoman Mickey Mantle (Murcer's baseball hero). The memorial service was held 25 days later, at the Memorial Road Church of Christ, on Aug. 6, 2008, which was the 25th anniversary of Bobby Murcer Day at Yankee Stadium and the 29th anniversary of the Bobby Murcer Game. I was certain that the baseball gods wouldn't be so cruel to tease me like that. He became a regular in 1969, when Mantle retired. "It's part of my legacy," he said about the game that he and the Yankees played Aug. 6, 1979, hours after flying from Canton, Ohio,. Whos the richest Baseball Player in the world. It was, to Bobby Murcer, his best and most emotional game. At the time of his death, Bobby had already quit acting, and last appeared in "The Virginian" for two episodes in 1967. [41], In late February 2008, an MRI scan led Murcer's doctors to perform a biopsy, and, optimistically, the biopsy revealed scar tissue, rather than a recurrence of brain cancer. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 12:52AM. In 1975, wearing uniform #20, Murcer led the National League in sacrifice flies with 12 and was 5th in walks with 91 drove in 91 runs, and batted .298. [10] On March 6, 1977, Murcer signed his first-ever multi-year deal, calling for $1.6 million over five seasons. 1990s The Oklahoma Sports Museum's Bill Teegins Award winner. He is now 62 years old. Bobby Murcer had 252 home runs over his career. When I watch the Yankees which is almost every day or night, I think of Bobby quite often. Murcer was signed out of high school, and spent two years in the minors before joining a Yankee team that had entered a long decline. He was signed to his first professional baseball contract by the same scout who signed Hall of Fame slugger Mickey Mantle . Kuhn said Murcer apologized in their meeting but Murcer refused to tell newsmen that he had, and he "didn't sound too contrite". On August 2, 1979, Yankees catcher/captain Thurman Munson died in a plane crash. May 20 Baseball Player #6. Mrs. Munson said she wants to use the proceeds to open trust funds for her grandchildren. Murcer had surgery for a cancerous brain tumor at the M. D. Anderson. it was the highlight of his whole life." In the 1974 season, Murcer hit only two home runs at Shea, on consecutive days, (September 21 and 22, 1974). "I think it was like a booster shot for Bobby the Big Apple antidote for whatever winter blahs . Murcer was traded to the San Francisco Giants for Bobby Bonds in 1975 in baseball's first even swap of $100,000 superstar players. Murcer's 119 outfield assists led all major league outfielders for that decade, ahead of Bobby Bonds (106), Rusty Staub (97), Amos Otis (93), Reggie Smith (86), Jos Cardenal (85), Del Unser (82), and Reggie Jackson (81). We all flew back to Yankee Stadium for a game against Baltimore, Murcer recalled in a 1983 article for The Times. Also in attendance was Diana Munson, the widow of Yankee captain Thurman Munson. Linda Crull, the boy's aunt, added, "What Bobby Murcer did was great. Anyone can read what you share. 2000 Named as one of the top 100 athletes in Oklahoma history, 2005 Received the Legend Award for his "lone and meritorious service to baseball" by the Association for the Help of Retarded Children. Bobby Ray Murcer (May 20, 1946 July 12, 2008) was an American professional baseball outfielder who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball between 1965 and 1983. When Murcers three-run homer cleared the right-field fence in the seventh, Cosell said, You could see he was ready to erupt.. Murcer, who flung his right hand into the air when he rounded first after hitting the homer, said to reporters "I hit a hanging spitter.". In his final moments,. Discover what happened on this day. Bobby Murcer had 1,862 hits over his career. Bobby Murcer was a Taurus and was born in the Baby Boomers Generation. Updated: November 7, 2011 . He loved the Yankees so much and the Yankees and all of us fans loved Bobby. He was a three-sport star at Southeast High School in Oklahoma. The cancer treatment over the last 18 months has been intensive and has, as a side effect, somewhat compromised his immune system and made the fight all the more challenging. After his retirement from baseball Bobby Murcer earned three Emmy Awards for live sports coverage as the "Voice of the Yankees." Quote As he stepped to the plate at Yankee Stadium on Opening Day in 1966, Bobby Murcer carried with him the hopes and expectations of Yankees fans looking for the next Mickey Mantle. Bobby Murcer in the broadcast booth at Yankee Stadium before the Yankees played the Seattle Mariners on May 2. He teamed at the outset with Phil Rizzuto, Frank Messer and Bill White and remained a Yankee broadcaster most of the time after that until his death. In the winter between the 1980 and 1981 season, Murcer traveled to Japan with an American League "All-Star" team to play a series of exhibition games against a National League team to reportedly promote American baseball. Bobby Murcer passed away. On June 26, 1979, Murcer returned to the Yankees in a trade for Paul Semall and cash. It's as much for them as it is for you as an individual. Additional Contributions to baseball. He returned as a Yankee broadcaster in May 2007 and broadcast some games this season. His kindness and genuine goodness are the two qualities that made him shine above the rest. They won this game for the captain, Cosell said, barely letting fans take in the finish before he soliloquized lengthily. Five-time MLB All-Star who played 13 of his 17 seasons with the New York Yankees. In 1981, he led the pinch hitters of the American League with three home runs and 12 RBIs. Bobby Murcer - Illness and Death Illness and Death Murcer, who had been suffering from headaches and a lack of energy according to the New York Daily News, was diagnosed with a brain tumor (glioblastoma multiforme) on Christmas Eve, 2006, and underwent surgery on December 28, 2006, at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Alzheimer's Disease. He finished the season by batting as designated hitter in the 1981 World Series. On July 25, Murcer hit a pinch-hit grand slam in a win against the Milwaukee Brewers, the first of his seven career grand slams. Playing in the minor leagues from 196466, Murcer hit .302 which does not include his 112 stint with the Ft. Lauderdale Yankees in 1985 when he was attempting a comeback to the Yankees or his time with the Instructional League and the Puerto Rico League in 1968. Still thinking of and missing Bobby. Multiple newspapers heavily implied that he died by suicide and police seemed satisfied enough with that explanation too . A stroke can cause lasting brain damage, long-term disability or death. Murcer then spent 196768 in the United States Army as a result of the escalation of the Vietnam War. That year he led the league with ten sacrifice flies and was eighth in intentional walks (13) while hitting 27 home runs and driving in 89 runs which led the team. He was noted for excelling at the delayed steal in which, as the catcher catches the ball or is about to throw the ball back to the pitcher, the runner on first base breaks for second base. 2007 featured as one of "100 Leaders for the Next 100 Years" by Oklahoma Sports Heritage Museum. He was a man of great heart and compassion. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 1977. Broadcasting the game nationally on ABC, Keith Jackson told the country how Murcer had fulfilled the dying boy's last wish. Continue to rest easy and peacefully Bobby Ray. Bobby Murcer had a .277 average over his career. Munsons death drained the Yankees during an already disappointing season. As a senior Murcer hit .458 and struck out only once. (Age 19-111d, Bobby Murcer was born in Oklahoma City. Murcer once recalled that after Steinbrenner gained control of the Yankees in 1973, he told me that I was a big part of the Yankee tradition, and always would be.. Part I is for reporting a chain of events leading directly to death, with the immediate cause of death (the final disease, injury, or complication directly causing death) on Line a and the underlying cause of death (the disease or injury that initiated the chain of morbid events that At his death, Murcer was tied for 183rd on the all-time list. Former Yankee outfielder and broadcaster Bobby Murcer died Saturday afternoon, July 12, 2008 after a battle with cancer. While Murcer had a solid career in the Major Leagues, he didn't quite live up to the lofty expectations given him and he was traded to the San Francisco Giants, then Chicago Cubs. Against Hall of Fame pitchers, Murcer hit .289 with 20 homers and 72 RBIs in 447 at bats. The first time I ever heard of Bobby Murcer, The Saturday Oklahoman quoted him as saying, they said a kid from Oklahoma was gonna be the next Mickey Mantle. Exceeded rookie limits during 1966 season, View Player Bio This page is updated often with fresh details about Bobby Murcer. Its part of my legacy, he said about the game that he and the Yankees played Aug. 6, 1979, hours after flying from Canton, Ohio, where they attended the funeral of Thurman Munson, who died 28 years ago today after crashing his Cessna Citation. However, no one had told the young man he was dying. A Gold Glove winner and five-time All-Star, Murcer led the American League in on-base percentage in 1971, and in . Bobby Richardson, Mickey Mantle, and Joe Pepitone did it in 1966. Murcer also had some fun with Perry; he once caught a fly for the last out of an inning and spit on the ball before tossing it to him. He was best known for being a Baseball Player. When you listen to a guy announce baseball games for 25 years, an attachment forms -- a strong one, even if it's one-sided and non-reciprocal. On May 12, the Yankees' Bobby Murcer came in headfirst, elbows out, trying for a double. He further added, "I can't convict somebody on allegations" and "with all the testing that's going on today, and Andy and Roger never testing positive for anything, I can't assume somebody's guilty based on the testimony of a disgruntled trainer."[32]. His memoir, Yankee for Life: My 40-Year Journey in Pinstripes, written with Glen Waggoner, was published in May, on his 62nd birthday. They sat on the plane with the catcher for 35 or 40 minutes, listening to a Neil Diamond tape; Munson asked to borrow money from Murcer for fuel. 2. He was quietly buried by his closest friends at a cemetery in the countryside he loved. He acquired a battling, contentious reputation in the 16 years he managed in the major leagues, in New York, Minnesota, Detroit, Texas and Oakland. The principle of a cause of death and an underlying cause of death can be applied uniformly by using the medical certification form recommended by the World Health Assembly. It was, to Bobby Murcer, his best and most emotional game. After working with Mickey Mantle, he was also known as an excellent drag bunter.[1]. He had guest appearances on Beat the Clock, Hee Haw, What's My Line? [15], In August 2007, the YES Network replayed the game for a new generation of Yankee fans due to a switch of the copyright of the game from ABC to Major League Baseball.