By The Jersey Hitman

League 6

League 17

Former Yankee outfielder Bobby Murcer passed away yesterday after a long, toughly fought, battle with brain cancer. He played for the Yankees from 1965-1974 and, then, again from 1979-1983. He has been one of the team’s broadcasters since the day he retired.

Bobby Mercer was a childhood hero of mine. From the first time my father took me to Yankee Stadium, and he got the game winning hit, Bobby was my guy. When the Yankees traded him to the Giants, before the 1975 season, I was crushed. I remember hearing the news on the radio in my mom’s car and crying.

He was first diagnosed with cancer on Christmas Eve of 2006 when an MRI discovered a malignant tumor. Bobby was able to beat it for a while, even returning to the broadcast booth for a few games this season. Unfortunately, he, like many others, could not keep it away.

He came up with the Yankees as a 19 year old kid along with the label “The next Mickey Mantle”. A tough label for anyone to live up to.

He was an All-Star in five consecutive years from 1971 to 1975 - the first four as a Yankee for the AL and the last as a San Francisco Giant in the NL. He had been traded there for Bobby Bonds. He would later be traded to the Cubs and, then, finally back to the Yankees in 1979.

Bobby was thrilled to be back with the Yankees, but in August of 1979 his good friend and teammate from the minor leagues, and Yankee captain, Thurman Munson was killed as the plane he was piloting crashed. Bobby had dropped Munson off at the airport the day before and watched as Munson took off.

A few days later he gave an emotional eulogy for his friend and teammate. That same night, he played in a nationally televised game against the Orioles … despite his manager, Billy Martin, wanting him to take the night off. Bobby came through with a home run and five RBIs including the game winning hit in the bottom of the ninth. He gave the bat he used that night to Thurman Munson’s wife, Dianne.

In the middle of the 1983 season, he was asked to retire to make room on the roster for rookie Don Mattingly. He did so and was assigned to the broadcast booth, along side Phil Rizzuto, the next day.

He would play in the Yankees’ old-timers games each year and wear a microphone during the games. It was always fun to hear him talking to the other old-timers in the dugout like Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford … or to hear him say how he just missed a pitch as he popped out to second base.

As a broadcaster, he was great. He made the transition from player to broadcaster easily. His honest and fun personality was perfect for the booth. He never apologized about rooting for the Yankees and was always good for a few laughs each game.

Between innings at Yankee Stadium, they play highlights of different players’ careers. When Bobby Murcer’s highlights come on you should hear the cheers. Always a fan favorite, he will be very missed. This is the second time in my life that I have cried because of Bobby Murcer. Its very hard to say goodbye to your hero.