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Bobby Murcer was an important part of my youth, and he passed away today at age 62.
I had a post all set for today. It was full of the usual stupidity that has made me a blogging legend in my own mind. But, I was watching the game of the week on Fox, and the news flashed about Bobby.
It's funny, my Aunt died two weeks ago, and I don't remember shedding many tears. Not that she wasn't a good person whom I loved, but I don't know why it didn't bother me that much.
But Bobby Murcer, hell, I'm typing this through tears.
I can only guess I'm crying because we are formed by that which we know when we are young. And I was a Yankee fan from an early age.
Growing up in Central New Jersey, we had 2 real choices, Yankees or Mets. Sure, some holdovers were Dodger and Giants fans because of family loyalty, but those teams fled for the west coast before I was out of diapers.
(ed. note: eventually, author wound up back in diapers, and is only a few years away from being in them again)
I rooted for the guys from the Bronx. The guys who were as dependable as US Steel, seemingly winning the championship every year.
But during my formative years, the Yankees stunk. Mantle was playing out the string on two gimpy legs. Everyone else was gone.
Then, along came Bobby Murcer, tagged as the "Next Mantle." For those of you unfamiliar with baseball, Mantle was THE MAN in baseball from 1950 until the early 60's. And Bobby, from the same state of Oklahoma, signed by the same scout, was "The Next Big Thing."
Talk about pressure. And, to make matters worse, he was put in Mantle's same position, centerfield for the Yankees. I'd love to say he responded well, and led the team to a few championships. But that's not how the story went.
The Yankees never finished higher than second, even finishing last once. Murcer was the one shining star on a team of mediocre ballplayers. He was every kid's hero.
Bobby bounced around a bit, and wound up back in NY, eventually playing on a pennant winning team. But he never did get to taste the champagne reserved for championships. One of the greatest things he ever did, and for which many Yankee fans remember him, was homer in the game following the death of his friend, the Yankee captain, Thurman Munson.
Bobby ended his career and became an announcer for the Yankees. He was knowledgeable and always known as a gentleman.
He'll be missed by fans, friends, and family.
Bobby Murcer passed away today, and I just feel like a little piece of me has died, too.
