Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
The Yankees 9-4 win over the Blue Jays this afternoon, which featured Derek Jeter's 200th career home run as well as Alex Rodriguez's 537th career bomb (moving him past Mickey Mantle on the all-time list), was overshadowed by the news that Bobby Murcer has passed away.
Murcer was a solid star player for the Yankees during the late 60s and early 70s--good but never truly great--and later, a friendly voice in the broadcast booth. Murcer knocked a game-winning, pinch-hit homer over the right center field wall against the Orioles in September of 1981. I was at that game with my dad and my brother. I'll never forget watching two drunk guys sitting down the row from us in the upper deck, chanting "Bob-by, Bob-by!" and then all hell breaking loose when Murcer hit the dinger.
George Carlin, now Bobby Murcer. It certainly hits a lot closer to home when you grew up watching and then listening to a guy. Sixty-two is too young, man. At least he's not in pain anymore. Let's hope he's at peace. I know it's the natural order of things and all, but, good goosh, we've been talking an awful lot about death lately.
I mean .... I never actually met him. But he made me love baseball from my earliest memories. He was my first favorite player. He was classy, genuine and did wonderful work for those less fortunate.
I weep for him .... and his family.
Bobby getting the game winner, the night of Thurman's funeral. Notice Bobby and #14 at the end of the clip.
A great loss.
This year has been about people passing away much earlier than they were suppose to. However, it also helps to remind us that age has nothing to do with it. Unfortunately. There's very little control we have in that department.
RIP, Bobby Murcer
This one hurts. Maybe because he's so close to my parents age.
Some Bobby Murcer headlines from my forn and trayed Yankee scrap book (Pre-George, of course)...
From Boy Blunder to Boy Wonder
Murcer Back From 2 Army Years
Murcer, Pepi HR Nats, 8-2
Mickey Murcer?
Murcer Wants to Forget Fast Start, Stay Awhile
Yankee Shakeup: Murcer to Right, Kenney to 3d
Murcer Power!
Murcer's 2-Out, 2-On HR in 9th Rescues Yanks
Murcer the New Mickey?
Boy Wonder Does it Again
Murcer's Big Day, Again
Murcer Strokes Winning Hit in 9th
Murcer Belts Two!
Even more importantly, Murcer's reputation as a great man doesn't suffer from anything. It was nice to see the current players and his YES colleagues so unanimously talk about him as a selfless man who was always smiling and there to offer a kind word. In the 25+ years that I have "known" Bobby Murcer, I have always considered him one of my favorite Yankees and will sorely miss his presence. He truly is a Yankee forever.
Rest in Peace Bobby Ray!
Don't forget the significance on baseball and the Bombers of the trade of Bobby Murcer for Bobby Bonds. George thought he couldn't lead the team. Fans didn't question the move. At least, I didn't.
Bonds, too, earns no love from the Boss. He stays for only one year; bats .270 and hits 32 homers. Barry the Kid is mistreated during visits, a dis that makes him vow never to play for the Yanks. Bobby drinks too much or lives a life that some feel UnYankee. Mickey Rivers (no Angel either)comes from Los Angeles with Ed Figueroa to Yankees in exchange for Bobby Bonds on December 11, 1975. They become instumental pegs in the mid 70's resurgance that leads to a WS appearance in 1976 (losing to Cincinatti 4-0) and WS wins in 1977 and 1978 (beating the Dodgers 4-2 twice.
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