Bobby Murcer

Murcer at Camden Yards, 1993.

Right fielder / Center fielder

Born: May 20, 1946
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Died: July 12, 2008 (aged 62)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Batted: Left

Threw: Right

MLB debut

September 8, 1965, for the New York Yankees

Last MLB appearance

June 11, 1983, for the New York Yankees

MLB statistics

Batting average

.277

Home runs

252

Runs batted in

1,043

Teams

Career highlights and awards

5× All-Star (1971–1975)
Gold Glove Award (1972)

Bobby Ray Murcer (May 20, 1946 – July 12, 2008) was an American Major League Baseball outfielder who played for 17 seasons between 1965 and 1983, mostly with the New York Yankees, whom he later rejoined as a longtime broadcaster. A Gold Glove winner and five-time All-Star, Murcer led the American League in on-base percentage in 1971, and in runs and total bases in 1972.

After coming up briefly to the Yankees in 1965 and 1966 amid high expectations—he was hailed as the "next Mickey Mantle"—Murcer fulfilled his military obligation in 1967 and 1968 before being called up to the majors to stay in 1969.

A left-handed hitter, Murcer had a career .277 batting average, finishing with 252 home runs and 1,043 RBIs. He hit .301 with runners on third base. He was only the third New York Yankee (after Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle) to earn $100,000 per season, and at 26 years of age was the youngest American League player to earn a six-figure salary. Murcer made the All-Star teams from 1971 through 1974 in the American League, and in 1975 in the National League. He also won a Gold Glove in 1972.

He 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 first base breaks for second base. The thought is that the second baseman 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.

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