Bobby Ray Murcer (born May 20, 1946, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) was a professional baseball player for 17 seasons. Married his high-school sweetheart, Diana Kay Rhodes, in 1966. After coming up briefly in with the New York Yankees in 1965 and 1966, Murcer fulfilled his military obligation in 1967 and 1968 before being called up to the majors to stay in 1969. The position of the right fielder A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in right field (e. ... is the 140th day of the year (141st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 251st day of the year (252nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 23, 32, 37, 44, 49 Name New York Yankees (1913–present) New York Highlanders (1903-1912) Baltimore Orioles (1901-1902) (Also referred to as... is the 162nd day of the year (163rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 23, 32, 37, 44, 49 Name New York Yankees (1913–present) New York Highlanders (1903-1912) Baltimore Orioles (1901-1902) (Also referred to as... Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball measuring the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters, respectively. ... In baseball, a home run is a base hit in which the batter is able to circle all the bases, ending at home plate and scoring a run, with no errors on the play that result in the batter achieving extra bases. ... RBI is a three-letter abbreviation with multiple meanings, including Reserve Bank of India Run batted in, in baseball Radio Berlin International This page concerning a three-letter acronym or abbreviation is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 23, 32, 37, 44, 49 Name New York Yankees (1913–present) New York Highlanders (1903-1912) Baltimore Orioles (1901-1902) (Also referred to as... Major league affiliations National League (1883–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers NY, NY, 3, 4, 11, 24, 27, 30, 36, 42, 44 Name San Francisco Giants (1958–present) New York Giants (1885–1957) New York Gothams (1883–1885) Other nicknames Jints, Gigantes, G-Men Ballpark AT... Major league affiliations National League (1876–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 10, 14, 23, 26, 42 Name Chicago Cubs (1902–present) Chicago Orphans (1898-1901) Chicago Colts (1890-1897) Chicago White Stockings (1870-1871, 1874-1889) (a. ... The Major League Baseball All-Star Game is an annual exhibition baseball game between the best players from the National League and the American League. ... The Major League Baseball All-Star Game is an annual exhibition baseball game between the best players from the National League and the American League. ... is the 140th day of the year (141st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1946 (MCMXLVI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Downtown Oklahoma City The State Capitol of Oklahoma From The South Motto: Nickname: Capital of the New Century Founded 1889 Incorporated County Oklahoma County Cleveland County Canadian County Borough {{{borough}}} Parrish {{{parrish}}} Mayor Mick Cornett Area  - Total  - Water 1,608. ... For other uses, see Oklahoma (disambiguation). ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 23, 32, 37, 44, 49 Name New York Yankees (1913–present) New York Highlanders (1903-1912) Baltimore Orioles (1901-1902) (Also referred to as...

Career recap

Murcer averaged 21 home runs, 89 RBIs, and a .277 average over a full season during his career. A left-handed hitter, Murcer ended with 252 home runs, 1,043 RBIs, and a .277 average. He hit .301 with runners on third base. Was only the third New York Yankee (Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle were the others) to make $100,000 a season and at 26 years of age was the youngest American League player ever to make a six-figure salary.[1] Murcer made the All-Star teams in 1971-74 in the American League and 1975 in the National League. He also won a Gold Glove Award in 1972. Homerun redirects here. ... “RBI” redirects here. ... Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball measuring the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters, respectively. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The American League (or formally the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs) is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States of America and Canada. ... All-star (also, Allstar or All Star) is a term with meanings in both the worlds of sports and entertainment. ... The American League (or formally the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs) is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States of America and Canada. ... For other uses, see National League (disambiguation). ... In American baseball, the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to simply as the Gold Glove, is the award annually given to the Major League player judged to be the most superior individual fielding performance at each position (in each league), as voted by the managers and coaches in each...

He played primarily center field and right field, though he also appeared in left field and at third base and shortstop. 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 1st breaks for second base. The thought is, the 2nd basemen and shortstop will be back on their heels and slow to cover the bag. After working with Mickey Mantle he was also known as an excellent drag bunter.[2] The position of the center fielder A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field - the baseball fielding position between left field and right field (e. ... The position of the right fielder A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in right field (e. ... The position of the left fielder A left fielder, abbreviated LF, is an outfielder in the sport of baseball who plays defense in left field. ... The position of the third baseman A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in the sport of baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base, the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in a counterclockwise succession in order to score a run. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The all-time stolen base leader, Rickey Henderson, swipes third in 1988. ... A bunt is a special type of offensive technique in baseball or fastpitch softball. ...

Is currently tied for 179th All-time in home runs and at the time of his retirement his 252 home runs were tied for 72nd place All-time. At the time of his retirement Murcer's 175 home runs as a Yankee put him 11th on the club's legendary list that included names like Babe Ruth, Lou Gerhig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and Yogi Berra. This article is about the baseball player. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Lawrence Peter Yogi Berra (born May 12, 1925 in St. ...

In MLB history only 24 players hit above .275 while also hitting 250 or more home runs, driving in more than 1,000 runs, and stealing more than 125 bases and totaling 45 or more triples. Among that elite group only Murcer, George Brett, and Rogers Hornsby struck out fewer than 1,000 times. With 5 and 8 triples respectively Vladimir Guerrero and Ken Griffey, Jr. would be the 25th and 26th members of that club. Major League Baseball (MLB) is the highest level of play in professional baseball in North America. ... This article deals with the baseball player George Howard Brett. ... Rogers Hornsby (April 27, 1896 in Winters, Texas - January 5, 1963 in Chicago, Illinois), nicknamed The Rajah, was a Major League Baseball second baseman and manager. ...

Against Hall of Fame pitchers Murcer hit .293 with 16 homers and 60 RBIs in 434 at bats. When Goose Gossage, Tommy John, and Bert Blyleven (all possible Hall of Famers) are added, Murcer's numbers total 553 at bats with 20 home runs, 76 RBIs and a .297 average, seemingly stellar numbers versus an elite group of pitchers. Richard Michael Goose Gossage (born July 5, 1951 in Colorado Springs, Colorado) is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played 21 seasons for nine different teams before retiring in 1994. ... Tommy John (1960s) Thomas Edward John Jr. ... Rik Aalbert Bert Blyleven (born April 6, 1951 in Zeist, Netherlands), is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1970 - 1992, and was best known for his curveball. ...

For the decade of the 1970s Murcer drove in 840 runs, the 9th most in Major League baseball during that span. Murcer's 119 outfield assists led all MLB outfielders for that decade as well, ahead of Bobby Bonds (106), Rusty Staub (97), Amos Otis (93), Reggie Smith (86), Jose Cardenal (85), Del Unser (82), and Reggie Jackson (81). [3] His 198 homers tied for 17th in the major leagues for the 1970s and his .282 batting average was 20th among all players who had 5,000 or more plate appearances. During the 1970s he led his club in home runs six times (1970, 71, 72, 73, 76, 77). Bobby Lee Bonds (March 15, 1946 – August 23, 2003) was an American right fielder in professional baseball from 1968 to 1981, primarily with the San Francisco Giants. ... 1964 Topps baseball card #109 Daniel Joseph Rusty Staub (born April 1, 1944 in New Orleans, Louisiana) was a Major League Baseball player for 23 seasons (1963-1985), for the Houston Colt . ... Amos Joseph Otis {born April 26, 1947 in Mobile, Alabama) is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played fot the New York Mets (1967, 1969), Kansas City Royals (1970-1983) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1984). ... José Cardenal (born October 7, 1943 in Matanzas, Cuba) is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball. ... Reginald Martinez Reggie Jackson (born May 18, 1946), nicknamed Mr. ...

High School career

Played football, baseball, and basketball teams as a sophomore at Southeast High School in Oklahoma City. In his junior year, he made the all-district football team. He also helped Southeast High to the conference championship in baseball. As a senior Murcer showed his athletic abilities by making All-State in both football (the states leading scorer) and baseball and was All-City (led the city in scoring) in basketball. He was offered a football scholorship by the University of Oklahoma.[4]

Minor league career (1964-68, 1985)

Murcer signed a contract with Yankees' scout Tom Greenwade, who was the same scout who signed fellow Oklahoman Mickey Mantle (Murcer's baseball hero[5]). Murcer signed for a $10,000 bonus in June, 1964. He began with the Johnson City, rookie-level Appalachian League club in 1964 and hit .365 in 126 at bats. Mickey Charles Mantle (October 20, 1931 – August 13, 1995) was an American baseball player who was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974. ... The Appalachian League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Virginia and Tennessee region. ...

The following season, 1965, he was the Carolina League MVP with the Greensboro Hornets. Murcer hit .322 and homered 16 times drove in 90 runs and stole 18 bases. He played in his league's All-Star game that season as well. In 1966 he began the season with the Yankees but was sent down to Toledo of the International League. There was was in the All-star game once again. He hit .266 with 15 home runs and had 63 RBIs to go along with his 16 steals. He was the MVP of the Hornets (the Yankee's Single-A affiliate) as well. The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic region of the United States. ... The International League (IL) is a minor league baseball league which operates in the eastern United States and Canada. ...

While on leave in 1968 from the Army, Murcer played seven games in the fall Instructional League. After his discharge he played third base for Caguas in the Puerto Rico League where he drove in eighteen runs in twenty-two games.

Playing in the minor leagues from 1964-66, Murcer hit .302 which does not include his 1-12 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.

Major league career (1965-66, 1969-83)

New York Yankees (1965-66, 1969-74)

A shortstop in the minor leagues, Murcer was slated to be the Yankees' shortstop but ended up being the center fielder following in the footsteps of Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio. Almost anyone would suffer in comparison to those members of the Baseball Hall of Fame, especially his fellow Oklahoman Mantle, but Murcer did well enough during the years the Yankees finished in the second division to become one of the team's most popular players of that era. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The position of the center fielder A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field - the baseball fielding position between left field and right field (e. ... Mickey Charles Mantle (October 20, 1931 – August 13, 1995) was an American baseball player who was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, located at 62 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, is a semi-official museum operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of baseball-related...

His first hit in the "show" was a home run that won the game for the Yankees. It occurred in Murcer's second major league contest in 1965. He also played on "Mickey Mantle Day" on September 18, 1965. Murcer said playing alongside Mantle in that game as the "greatest thrill of his career". He began the 1966 season with the major league club but was sent down to AAA. Murcer then spent the 1967-68 in the United States Army. The United States Army is the largest and oldest branch of the armed forces of the United States. ...

After returning from the military, Murcer started out 1969 on fire. He was hitting .321 with 11 homers and a league-leading 43 runs batted in when he jammed his heel in Kansas City. Murcer recalled, "I laid out seven days and I lost my groove and my momentum". Murcer ended the season batting .259 with 26 homers and playing centerfield, his third defensive position, after beginning the season at third base and then switching to right field. On August 10, 1969, was part of a feat that was perhaps the highlight of the 1969 season for Yankees' fans. Murcer, Thurman Munson, and Gene Michael hit consecutive home runs in the sixth inning against Oakland. Murcer led off the Yankees' sixth with a shot into the right field bleachers. Thurman Munson, playing only his second major league game, hit a pitch into the left field seats, bringing up Michael, who hit a ball into the right field seats. This was the third time Yankees hit three successive home runs. Bobby Richardson, Mickey Mantle, and Joe Pepitone did it in 1966 and in 1947 it was Charlie Keller, Joe DiMaggio, and Johnny Lindell who accomplished the feat. Eugene Richard Michael (born June 2, 1938 in Kent, Ohio) is a former player, manager and executive in Major League Baseball. ... Robert Clinton Richardson (born August 19, 1935, in Sumter, South Carolina) is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees from 1955 through 1966. ... Joseph Anthony Pepitone (born October 9, 1940 in Brooklyn, New York) is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and outfielder for the New York Yankees (1962-1969), Houston Astros (1970), Chicago Cubs (1970-1973) and the Atlanta Braves (1973). ...

Murcer tied for the American League lead in outfield assists in 1970 with 15 and committed only 3 errors in center field. On May June, 1970, Murcer hit four home runs in consecutive at bats in a double header against the Cleveland Indians. Murcer's four home runs in a doubleheader enabled him to tie the American League record. Also, Murcer joined Lou Gehrig, Johnny Blanchard, and Mickey Mantle as the only Yankees to hit home runs in four consecutive at bats. Was third on the Yankees with 8 game winning RBIs. The American League (or formally the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs) is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States of America and Canada. ...

He had a career-high .331 batting average (2nd in the AL) in 1971. He led the American League in on base percentage (.427) and times on base (266), and came in 2nd in slugging percentage (.543) and runs (94), 4th in RBIs (94) and walks (91), 5th in intentional walks (13), and 10th in home runs (25). Murcer was 7th in MVP voting and was voted to the prestigious The Sporting News All-Star team. One June 2, 1971, Murcer hit two home runs and "made a spectacular shoestring catch off Rico Petrocelli in the first inning to rob the Red Sox of a run" in a Yankee win over their arch rival Boston. On Sunday, July 25, 1971, Murcer hit a pinch-hit grand slam in a win against the Milwaukee Brewers marking the first of his seven career grand slams. TSN may also refer to The Sporting News, The Sierra Network, Team Sportscast Network or taxonomic serial number. ... Major league affiliations National League (1998–present) Central Division (1998–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 4, 19, 34, 42, 44 Name Milwaukee Brewers (1970–present) Seattle Pilots (1969) Other nicknames True Blue Brew Crew, The Brew Crew, The Crew, Beermakers Ballpark Miller Park (2001–present) County Stadium (1970–2000) Sick...

In 1972 he hit a career-high 30 doubles (3rd in the AL), 7 triples (4th), 33 home runs (2nd), and 96 RBIs (3rd). He also led the AL in runs scored (102), extra base hits (70), and total bases (314), was 3rd in slugging percentage (.537) and hits (171), and 10th in batting (.292). He came in 5th in the AL MVP voting and was a Gold Glove for his fielding. On August 29, 1972, Murcer hit for the cycle by hitting a single, a double, a triple and a home run. On June 3, 1972, Murcer's scored five runs scored in a game marked the 11th time it has been done in Yankee history. He was named to the The Sporting News All-Star team again and Murcer's 33 home runs were the most by a Yankee centerfielder since Mickey Mantle hit 35 in 1964 and no Yankee center fielder has topped it since, the closest being Bernie Williams' 30 dingers in 2000. In American baseball, the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to simply as the Gold Glove, is the award annually given to the Major League player judged to be the most superior individual fielding performance at each position (in each league), as voted by the managers and coaches in each... TSN may also refer to The Sporting News, The Sierra Network, Team Sportscast Network or taxonomic serial number. ... Bernabé Bernie Williams Figueroa (born September 13, 1968, in San Juan, Puerto Rico) is a Major League Baseball outfielder and a guitar-playing jazz recording artist. ...

In 1973 he was 3rd in the league in hits (187), 4th in batting (.301), and 7th in RBIs (95). He was 9th in the MVP voting. He also led the American League in assists once again, with 14. He made the The Sporting News All-Star team for the third time in his career. On July 13, 1973, Murcer clubbed three home runs (for the second time in his career) and drove in five runs in a 5-0 win over the Kansas City Royals. He narrowly missed his second Gold Glove, finishing 4th in the voting among American League outfielders. Finished second to AL MVP Reggie Jackson in game winning hits with 17 (Jackson had 18). TSN may also refer to The Sporting News, The Sierra Network, Team Sportscast Network or taxonomic serial number. ... Major league affiliations American League (1969–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 5, 10, 20, 42 Name Kansas City Royals (1969–present) Other nicknames The Boys in Blue Ballpark Kauffman Stadium (1973–present) a. ... Reginald Martinez Reggie Jackson (born May 18, 1946), nicknamed Mr. ...

Gaylord Perry "Fued"
Murcer was fined $250 on June 30, 1973, by baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn for saying Kuhn didn't have the "guts" to stop Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry from throwing the spitball. That night he hit a two-run homer off Perry that put the Yankees ahead in a 7-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians. Murcer made his original comment about Kuhn after Perry beat New York the previous week that ended the Yanks' eight-game winning streak. Kuhn said that Murcer apologized in his meeting with Murcer but Murcer refused to tell newsmen that he did and he "didn't sound too contrite". 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," he quipped.

For his career Murcer hit Perry at a .232 clup with 2 home runs in 69 at bats. However, much of that low batting average was due to the 2 for 20 performance in the 1972 season which caused Murcer's ire in the first place. Murcer hit .286 against Perry aside from the abysmal 1972 summer he had against Perry - who won the AL Cy Young Award that year.

Murcer had some fun with Gaylord; he once caught a fly for the last out of an inning and spit on the ball before tossing it to Perry. Another time he sent Perry a gallon of lard. Perry retaliated by having a mutual acquaintance cover his hand with grease before shaking hands with Murcer and saying "Gaylord says hello." [6] Bowie Kent Kuhn (born October 28, 1926 in Takoma Park, Maryland) was commissioner of Major League Baseball from February 4, 1969 to September 30, 1984. ... Gaylord Jackson Perry (born September 15, 1938 in Williamston, North Carolina) is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. ... A spitball is a baseball pitch in which the ball has been altered by the application of spit, petroleum jelly, or some other foreign substance. ... The Cy Young Award of the American League, 1983. ...

Murcer who had hit 25 homers with regularity, found it hard to hit home runs at Shea Stadium, where the Yankees played in 1974 and 1975 while Yankee Stadium was renovated. In the 1974 season Murcer only hit two home runs at Shea, on consecutive days (September 21 and 22, 1974). William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium, is an American baseball stadium in New York City. ... This is about the stadium the New York Yankees currently play in. ...

In 1974 Murcer led all major league outfielders in assists by throwing out 21 baserunners. He was 2nd in the AL in sacrifice flies (12), 7th in RBIs (88), and 9th in intentional walks (10) and was the highest-paid player in Yankee history earning $120,000.

San Francisco Giants (1975-76)

Murcer was traded to the San Francisco Giants for Bobby Bonds in 1975 in baseball's first-ever even swap of $100,000 superstar players. With the Giants Murcer wore the uniform #20. Major league affiliations National League (1883–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers NY, NY, 3, 4, 11, 24, 27, 30, 36, 42, 44 Name San Francisco Giants (1958–present) New York Giants (1885–1957) New York Gothams (1883–1885) Other nicknames Jints, Gigantes, G-Men Ballpark AT...

In 1975 he led the league in sacrifice flies (12) and was 5th in the NL in walks with 91 and drove in 91 runs and batted .298. However, he hit only 11 home runs, eliciting this quote from Murcer, "Patty Hearst could be hiding in Candlestick's upper deck and nobody would ever find her", referring to how tough it was to hit long balls at the park where the Giants played their home games. Author Zander Hollander noted that season that "only Murcer's dwindling power keeps him from superstar status" since other than the lack of home runs Murcer had a fine year in his first season as a Giant.

On April, 6, 1976, the Associated Press reported that Murcer signed for a reported $175,000, making him the highest paid player in Giants history. That season Murcer regained his power swing and was 6th in the NL with 23 home runs, and 7th in RBIs (90). He was also voted the Giants MVP in 1976. Led the Giants in home runs and tied for the team lead in steals with 12. His two consecutive seasons with 90 or more RBIs was not duplicated by a San Francisco Giant until Will Clark did it in 1987-88. The Associated Press, or AP, is an American news agency, the worlds largest such organization. ... William Nuschler Clark, Jr. ...

Chicago Cubs (1977-79)

In February, 1977, he was traded to the Chicago Cubs in the a 5-player deal that sent 2-time defending National League batting champion Bill Madlock to San Francisco. On March 6, 1977, Murcer signed his first-ever multi-year deal, calling for $1.6 million over five seasons. The contract made him the highest paid Cub player in history. As a tribute to Mantle, Murcer wore #7 with the Cubs. Major league affiliations National League (1876–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 10, 14, 23, 26, 42 Name Chicago Cubs (1902–present) Chicago Orphans (1898-1901) Chicago Colts (1890-1897) Chicago White Stockings (1870-1871, 1874-1889) (a. ... Bill Madlock, Jr. ... Major league affiliations National League (1883–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers NY, NY, 3, 4, 11, 24, 27, 30, 36, 42, 44 Name San Francisco Giants (1958–present) New York Giants (1885–1957) New York Gothams (1883–1885) Other nicknames Jints, Gigantes, G-Men Ballpark AT...

That year he led the league with 10 sacrifice flies, and was 8th in intentional walks (13) while hitting 27 home runs and driving in 89 runs which led the team. His 16 steals were second on the club. On June 29, 1977, in his return to Candlestick Park, Murcer drove in 6 runs in a 10-9 win over the Giants. Monster Park (colloquially, The Stick or Candlestick, after its original name of Candlestick Park) is an outdoor sports and entertainment stadium located in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. ...

The Scott Crull game
On August 8, 1977, Murcer promised to try and hit a home run and a double for terminally ill fan Scott Crull who he had spoken to by phone. That night, against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Murcer hit two home runs. Broadcasting the game nationally on ABC, Keith Jackson told the country how Murcer had fulfilled the dying boy’s last wish. Tragically, no one had told the young man he was dying. [7] Murcer, however, denied he made an outright promise to Crull, as ABC had reported during the game.

Scott's mother told the AP, "It's wonderful that he got to talk to one of the players, and by Murcer hitting the home runs...he was thrilled." The AP later reported comments from Kenneth Crull, the young boy's uncle said "Bobby Murcer did a wonderful thing for Scotty . . . it was the highlight of his whole life." Linda Crull, the boy's aunt added, "What Bobby Murcer did was great. But what happened afterward we'd just as soon forget about." ABC's Jackson had relayed the story that had been told to him by a Chicago Cub official Buck Peden and alerted the boy to his own medical condiditon. Three weeks later, On August 22, Crull passed away. Ten hours later the Cubs beat the Giants 3-2 at Wrigley Field and Murcer hit his 24th home run. At that point the Cubs' record was 70-53, and they were 7-1/2 games out, in 2nd place. The Cubs slumped and finished at .500 with and 81-81 record. This article is about the baseball team. ... Look up ABC in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... For the former professional American football player, see Keith Jackson (football player). ... AP may refer to: Andhra Pradesh, A state in the Republic of India Associated Press, an American news agency AP, the United States postal abbreviation for U.S. military personnel in the Pacific Ocean region AP, the U.S. Navy hull classification symbol for transport support ships A&P, the... For the former ballpark in Los Angeles, see Wrigley Field (Los Angeles). ...

In 1978 he was 8th in the league with 15 intentional walks. Also had one stretch of eight straight hits, a feat not duplicated by a Cub until Andre Dawson did it in 1989. Previously only Billy Williams, in 1972, was the first and only Chicago Cubs to perform that feat. Is one of sevenn Cub to have three multiple intentional-walk games since 1960, joining Ernie Banks, Sammy Sosa, Billy Williams, Don Kessinger, Derek Lee and Andre Dawson. Murcer, on April 25, 1978, hit a grand slam off of Steve Carlton in a 4-2 win versus the Philadelphia Phillies. On September 10, 1978, Murcer went 5 for 5, the only 5-hit game of his career. Andre Nolan Dawson (born July 10, 1954, Miami, Florida) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. ... Billy Williams can refer to different people: Billy Williams, the baseball player. ... Major league affiliations National League (1876–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 10, 14, 23, 26, 42 Name Chicago Cubs (1902–present) Chicago Orphans (1898-1901) Chicago Colts (1890-1897) Chicago White Stockings (1870-1871, 1874-1889) (a. ... Ernest Ernie Banks (born January 31, 1931 in Dallas, Texas) is an American former Major League baseball player who played his entire career with the Chicago Cubs (1953-1971). ... Samuel Sosa Peralta (born November 12, 1968 in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic) is a designated hitter for the Texas Rangers of the American League. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Steven Norman Carlton (born December 22, 1944 in Miami, Florida) is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, from 1965 to 1988, who retired as one of the most successful pitchers to ever play the game. ... Major league affiliations National League (1883–present) East Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 14, 20, 32, 36, 42 Name Philadelphia Phillies (1884–present) Philadelphia Quakers (1883-1889) (Also referred to as Blue Jays 1943-1945 despite formal name remaining Phillies) Other nicknames The Phils, The Phightin Phils...

During 4-1/2 seasons in the National League, Murcer was particularly rough on the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 63 games against them Murcer hit .347 with 11 homers and had a slugging percentage of .538.[8] For other uses, see National League (disambiguation). ... Major league affiliations National League (1890–present) West Division (1969–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 1, 2, 4, 19, 20, 24, 32, 39, 42, 53 Name Los Angeles Dodgers (1958–present) Brooklyn Dodgers (1932-1957) Brooklyn Robins (1914-1931) Brooklyn Dodgers (1913) Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers (1911-1912) Brooklyn Superbas (1899...

New York Yankees, redux (1979-83)

On June 26, 1979, Murcer returned to the Yankees in a trade for Paul Semall and cash. After wearing uniform #1 from 1969 through 1974, Bobby donned the the jersey #2, since manager Billy Martin re-adopted the #1. Alfred Manuel Billy Martin (May 16, 1928 – December 25, 1989) was an American second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. ...

The Munson game
After giving one of the eulogies at catcher Thurman Munson's funeral on Aug. 6, 1979, in Ohio, the team flew home to play the first-place Baltimore Orioles on national television. Yankee manager Billy Martin wanted to give Murcer the day off, but Murcer insisted on playing — and play he did. Murcer singlehandedly won the game, bringing the Yankees back from a 4-0 deficit with a 3-run homer in the 7th, then hit a walk-off 2-run single down the left-field line in the bottom of the 9th, causing Howard Cosell to exclaim what a heroic performance Murcer had put on for the deceased Yankee captain Munson, who had died in a plane crash 4 days earlier. Murcer never used the bat from the game ever again and gave it to Munson's widow, Diana.

On July 2, 2004, the Seattle Times reported that Diana Munson put the bat, along with other of Munson's items up for auction Mrs. Munson said she wants to use the proceeds to open trust funds for her grandchildren, "You reach an age when you think about the future," she said.[9] Thurman Lee Munson (June 7, 1947 – August 2, 1979) was an American catcher in Major League Baseball who played with the New York Yankees from 1969 to 1979. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... This article is about the contemporary American major league baseball team. ... In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run which ends the game. ... Howard William Cosell, born Howard William Cohen (March 25, 1918 – April 23, 1995) was an American sports journalist on American television. ... The daily Seattle Times is the leading newspaper in Seattle, Washington, United States. ...

He was 5th in the league in 1980 with 9 sacrifice flies. Murcer cracked a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth inning on June 14, 1980, rallying the Yankees to a win over the Oakland A's. On July 4, 1980, Murcer hit a grand slam in a 11-5 route of the Cleveland Indians. He was also credited with 13 game-winning RBIs in his first full season back from the National Leauge. Oakland Athletics American League AAA Sacramento River Cats AA Midland RockHounds A Stockton Ports Kane County Cougars Vancouver Canadians R Phoenix Athletics The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. ... Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) Central Division (1994–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 3, 5, 14, 18, 19, 21, 42, 455 Name Cleveland Indians (1915–present) Cleveland Naps (1905-1914) Cleveland Bronchos (1902-1904) Cleveland Blues (1901) Other nicknames The Tribe, The Wahoos Ballpark Jacobs Field (1994–present...

On opening day in 1981 vs Texas, Murcer unloaded a pinch-hit grand slam at Yankee Stadium. Alfonso Soriano and Russ Derry are the only other two Yankees to achieve that feat. On September 26, 1981, he belted a three-run pinch-hit homer in the 9th inning in a 6-4 Yankee win over Baltimore. He played DH in the 1981 World Series. In 1981, he led the pinch hitters of the American League with three home runs and 12 RBIs.[10] In baseball, a pinch hitter is a common term for a substitute batter. ... In the sport of baseball, a grand slam (or just slam for short) is a home run hit with all the bases occupied by baserunners, thereby scoring 4 runs - the most possible on a single play. ... Alfonso Guilleard Soriano (born January 7, 1976 in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs. ... 1981 World Series Logo The 1981 World Series matched the New York Yankees against the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking their third meeting in the Series in five years. ...

Prior to the 1982 season Murcer signed a three-year, $1,125,000 contract with the Yankees. On July 28, 1982, Murcer hit a 3-run pinch hit home run to defeat the Detroit Tigers. Major league affiliations American League (1901–present) Central Division (1998–present) Current uniform Retired Numbers 2, 5, 6, 16, 23, 42, Cobb Name Detroit Tigers (1901–present) Other nicknames The Motor City Kitties, The Bengals, The Tigs, The Bless You Boys Ballpark Comerica Park (2000–present) Tiger Stadium (1912-1999...

On June 1, 1983, Murcer hit his 100th career home run at Yankee Stadium, which was the 252nd and final home run of his career. His retirement on June 20, 1983, was hastened by the Yankees wanting to bring up rookie first baseman/outfielder Don Mattingly. Murcer, fittingly, was the last active player to have been a playing teammate of Mickey Mantle. His final game on June 11, 1983, occurred 19 days after Bill Robinson's final game on May 23, 1983 (for Phillies). On August 7, 1983, the Yankees honored his years in pinstripes with "Bobby Murcer Day". Since baseball's contracts are guaranteed Murcer collected the remainder of his contract (estimated at $360,000 a year) through 1984.[11] Donald Arthur Mattingly (nicknamed Donnie Baseball and The Hit Man) (born April 20, 1961) is a retired first baseman who played for the New York Yankees of the American League from 1982-1995. ...

Attempted a comeback in 1985, however it ended after four minor league games after Murcer went 1 for 12 and before suffering a shoulder injury.

Honors

• 1965 Carolina League Most Valuable Player
• 1969 Voted "Most Popular Yankee" by the Catholic Youth Organization in NYC.
• 1971 AL All-Star team; The Sporting News AL All-Star
• 1972 AL All-Star team; The Sporting News AL All-Star; Gold Glove
• 1973 AL All-Star team; The Sporting News AL All-Star
• 1974 AL All-Star team
• 1975 NL All-Star team
• 1993 inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame
• 1990s The Oklahoma Sports Museum's Bill Teegins Award winner.
• 2000 Named as of the top 100 athletes in Oklahoma history [12]
• 2004 inducted Oklahoma Hall of Fame.[13]
  
• 2005 Received the Legend Award for his "lone and meritorious service to baseball" by the Association for the Help of Retarded Children
• 2007 honored by Oklahoma City University with the Abe Lemons/Paul Hansen Award for Spo rts Excellence. The Abe Lemons/Paul Hansen Award recognizes an individual who significantly contributes to the growth of sports in the state.

A Catholic Youth Organization is an organization for young Catholics. ... The Sporting News (TSN) is an American-based sports newspaper. ... The Sporting News (TSN) is an American-based sports newspaper. ... The Sporting News (TSN) is an American-based sports newspaper. ...

Broadcasting

After his retirement, Murcer turned to a career in broadcasting. Murcer has been a sportscaster for the Yankees — on broadcast TV, radio and currently the YES Network — for most of the two decades since his retirement. He and colleague Frank Messer were behind the WPIX microphones as the infamous pine tar incident unfolded at Yankee Stadium on July 24, 1983, and he also called David Cone's 1999 perfect game. Murcer won three Emmy Awards for live sports coverage as the voice of the Yankees.[14] Murcer's most recent broadcast for the Yankees came on September 24, 2007, against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. American Sportscasters A sportscaster, sports announcer, or sports commentator is a type of journalist on radio or television who specializes in reporting or commenting on sports events. ... The Yankees Entertainment and Sports (YES) Network is a New York City regional cable TV channel dedicated to broadcasting baseball games of the New York Yankees, and basketball games of the New Jersey Nets. ... Wallace Frank Messer (August 8, 1925 - November 13, 2001) was an American sportscaster, best known for his 18 seasons announcing New York Yankees baseball games. ... WPIX, channel 11, is a television station in New York City. ... George Howard Brett (born May 15, 1953 in Glen Dale, West Virginia) is a former Major League Baseball player for the Kansas City Royals. ... David Brian Cone (born January 2, 1963 in Kansas City, Missouri) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. ... Pitcher David Cone (left) of the New York Yankees reacting to the completion of his perfect game with catcher Joe Girardi on July 18, 1999. ... An Emmy Award. ...

In November, 2007, Murcer was nominated for the Ford C. Frick Award, presented annually to a broadcaster by the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. The Ford C. Frick Award is presented annually to a broadcaster for "major contributions to baseball" and is is presented annually during the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.[15]

Bobby Murcer Tobacco Addiction Prevention bill

After being a tobacco user most of his life, in the late 1990's Murcer conceeded what he thought was the error of his ways. After having a family member suffered from cancer, Murcer became an anti-tobacco activist, according to the AP. The Senate of the State of Oklahoma passed Senate Bill 619 that puportted to "beef up local regulation of tobacco sales to minors". The bill was passed by the lower chamber and signed in to law. [16] AP may refer to: Andhra Pradesh, A state in the Republic of India Associated Press, an American news agency AP, the United States postal abbreviation for U.S. military personnel in the Pacific Ocean region AP, the U.S. Navy hull classification symbol for transport support ships A&P, the...

Malignant brain tumor

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 on Christmas Eve 2006 and underwent surgery on December 28, 2006 at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, one of the top cancer treatment facilities in the nation. On January 10, 2007, it was announced that the tumor was malignant. A brain tumor is any intracranial tumor created by abnormal and uncontrolled cell division, normally either in the brain itself (neurons, glial cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, ependymal cells), lymphatic tissue, blood vessels), in the cranial nerves (myelin-producing Schwann cells), in the brain envelopes (meninges), skull, pituitary and pineal gland, or... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... is the 362nd day of the year (363rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Murcer made his first post-operative appearance on fellow Yankee broadcaster Michael Kay's radio show on WEPN on January 23, 2007. He was interviewed by Kay and took phone calls from listeners, as well. Murcer concluded the interview, "I want to thank you very much for giving me the forum to do this because I wanted you to know that even though this looks bad, I'm doing great. I really am. I'm in a great place. "God has given me peace and the overwhelming love has been insurmountable for me to even deal with. I can feel the fans. I can feel their thoughts and their prayers and I wanted to tell them how much I love them."[17] Michael Kay (born February 2, 1961) is the main play-by-play voice of the New York Yankees, host of Centerstage on the YES Network and the host of The Michael Kay Show on WEPN. // Kay began reporting as a youth at the Bronx High School of Science and then... WEPN (1050 kHz), branded as 1050 ESPN Radio, is a 24-hour sports radio station in New York City featuring national and local sports talk programs and live broadcasts of sports matches. ...

Murcer returned to Yankee Stadium for Opening Day of the 2007 season. 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. This is about the stadium the New York Yankees currently play in. ... The following are the baseball events of the year 2007 throughout the world. ...

The Tug McGraw Foundation, which supports research to improve quality of life for brain tumor patients and their families, honored Murcer as their "Good Guy of 2007". The award was given at the "Denim & Diamonds: An Evening with Tim McGraw and Friends" on November 2, 2007, St. Louis.[18] For the song by Taylor Swift, see Tim McGraw (song). ...

Notes

• He made an appearance on the television variety show Hee Haw.
• In 1971 appeared on the television show What's My Line? as a mystery guest.
• In the late 1970s, along with Carlton Fisk, Murcer endorsed the spit-tobacco Skoal in national TV ads.
• Was part of a four-player biogarphy in 1973, "At Bat!: Aaron-Murcer-Bench-Jackson", by Bill Gutman, published by Tempo Books.
• In the winter of 1980-81 traveled to Japan with an American League "All-Star" team.
• Recorded two country songs, "Skoal Dippin' Man" and "Bad Whiskey" in 1982, both released by Columbia Records.
• Was a Yankee vice-president in 1985 and individually worked with Ricky Henderson when he was brought to the Yankees.
• Is credited with the quote, "Trying to hit Phil Niekro is like trying to eat Jell-O with chopsticks". (Murcer hit only .208 with no home runs in 48 career at bats versus the knuckleballer Niekro)
• In July, 1986, along with Billy Martin, was a guest VJ (video DJ) on MTV.[19]
• In 1987 Yankees owner George Steinbrenner hired Murcer to coach left-handed hitters.
• Entered and finished the New York City Marathon in 1988.[20]
• Has appeared in celebrity rodeos for various charitable orgizations.
• Appeared in two films as himself - New York Yankees, (The Movie), in 1987; and The Scout in 1994.
• Serves as the chairman of the board of the Baseball Assistance Team, which grants money to former players and other baseball figures who are in need.
• In 1989 became part-time owner of the Class AAA baseball team in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma City 89ers.
• His annual golf tournament has raised more than $1 million for the the American Cancer Society since 1990. [21]
• In his career has invested in jewelry stores, an oil drilling company, race horses, and a minor league baseball team.
• In 1995 joined with Mickey Mantle to raise money for the victims of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing.
• Has been a regular and the annual Yankees Old Timer's game which is in it's 60th year.
• In November, 2007, featured as one of "100 Leaders for the Next 100 Years" by Oklahoma Sports Heritage Museum. [22]
• In 2006 Aduddell Industries of Oklahoma City has named Murcer as corporate spokesperson.
• Is currently penning his biography which, is due to be released in Spring, 2008, entitled "Yankee For Life".

For the EP from the musical band Birthday Party, see Hee Haw (EP). ... Whats My Line? is a weekly panel game show originally produced by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman for CBS television. ... Carlton Ernest Fisk (born December 26, 1947 in Bellows Falls, Vermont) is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for 24 years with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox. ... Look up skoal in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Columbia Records is the oldest brand name in recorded sound, dating back to 1888, and was the first record company to produce pre-recorded records as opposed to blank cylinders. ... Rickey Henley Henderson (born December 25, 1958 in Chicago, Illinois) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who is baseballs all-time leader in stolen bases[1] and runs scored. ... 1970 Topps super card #15 Philip Henry Niekro (born April 1, 1939 in Blaine, Ohio) is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. ... JELL-O is a brand name belonging to USA-based Kraft Foods for a number of gelatin desserts, including fruit gels, puddings and no-bake cream pies. ... Tim Wakefield in his throwing motion, showing his grip of the knuckleball. ... A video jockey (usually abbreviated to VJ or sometimes veejay) can mean two things: One describes an announcer who introduces and plays videos on commercial music television such as MTV or VH1. ... This article is about the original U.S. music television channel. ... George Michael Steinbrenner III (born July 4, 1930 in Rocky River, Ohio), often known as The Boss, is an American billionaire businessman and the principal owner of Major League Baseballs New York Yankees. ... The New York City Marathon is an annual marathon foot-race run over a 42,195 m (26. ... The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a medical organization with a corporate attitude in the United States. ... Alfred P. Murrah building four days before its demolition Alfred P. Murrah building during demolition Aerial view of Alfred P. Murrah building after bombing The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was a United States Federal Government complex located at 200 N.W. 5th Street in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. ...

See also

• Top 500 home run hitters of all time
• List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 RBI
• Hitting for the cycle
• List of Major League Baseball runs scored champions
• Major League Baseball hitters with three home runs in one game

In the sport of baseball, a home run is the act of hitting the ball in such a manner, whether out of the park or in (see inside the park home run), that allows the batter to safely reach home and score in one play. ... Below is the list of 252 Major League Baseball players who have reached the 1,000 RBI milestone. ... Eric Davis hit for the cycle in 1989 In baseball, a player hits for the cycle when he hits a single, a double, a triple and a home run in the same game, though not necessarily in that order. ... Major League Baseball recognizes runs scored champions in the American League and National League each season. ... Listed below are the occurrences of Major League Baseball players who have hit three home runs in a single game. ...

External links

• Player record on baseball-reference.com
• Murcer's batting statistics
• Statistics and comments on Murcer
• Oklahoma Hall of Fame page for Murcer
• Murcer comments on Babe Ruth, Micky Mantle, and his most thrilling moments in baseball