#699-700 Bobby Murcer In Action Bobby Murcer

Heir apparent to Mickey Mantle's legend…great expectations…Born and raised in Oklahoma just like Mickey…Handsome, in a Ray Liotta kind of way... Progress in majors was side tracked by military service for two year…in that time the Yankees floundered....Once free of his commitment, Bobby was a cog in the early 70’s Bronx Bombers; a bridge between the golden age of the early 60's and the first wave of free agency…Started as shortstop then third baseman but poor fielding exiled him to the outfield…As an outfielder had good speed and fine arm….Great season in 1971 raising his batting average by 80 points…In top five of several offensive categories that year…hit .331 a career best….second in hitting next to Tony Oliva….Attributed his success to not trying to hit for power, but his efforts resulted in career best HR number at the time… Named to 5 All Star games 1971 to 1975…1972 brought a personal high in home runs; 33…Spent two more season with the Yankees…Subsequent years included a two year stint with the Giants and 2  ½ with the Cubs…Very consistent with both clubs…Returned to Yankees mid season 1979 as a reserve outfielder and DH…retired in 1983…was active as a Yankee broadcaster until his death in 2008. 

Photo:  Great action shot of a slide into home…the crowd is very excited, on their feet…looks like White Sox Tom Egan at the plate…

My best guess is the first game of a double header July 18^th, 1971 …Take it away Baseball Reference for the account of the game…

Bottom of the 9th, Yankees Batting, Behind 0-2, White Sox' Wilbur Wood facing 9-1-2
									Pat Kelly replaces Ron Lolich playing RF batting 2nd Horace Clarke pinch hits for Fritz Peterson (P) batting 9th
b9	0-2	0	---			NYY	H. Clarke	W. Wood	8%	15%	Single to SS
									Felipe Alou pinch hits for Jerry Kenney (SS) batting 1st
b9	0-2	0	1--			NYY	F. Alou	W. Wood	14%	29%	Single to 3B; Clarke to 2B
b9	0-2	0	12-		O	NYY	T. Munson	W. Wood	-3%	26%	Bunt Groundout: 3B-2B/Sacrifice; Clarke to 3B; Alou to 2B
b9	0-2	1	-23		RR	NYY	B. Murcer	W. Wood	36%	62%	Single to RF (Ground Ball); Clarke Scores; Alou Scores
b9	2-2	1	1--			NYY	R. White	W. Wood	6%	68%	Murcer Steals 2B
b9	2-2	1	-2-		O	NYY	R. White	W. Wood	-9%	60%	Flyball: SS
b9	2-2	2	-2-			NYY	D. Cater	W. Wood	0%	60%	Intentional Walk
b9	2-2	2	12-		R	NYY	R. Swoboda	W. Wood	40%	100%	Single to RF; Murcer Scores; Cater to 3B
									3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. White Sox 2, Yankees 3.