R.I.P. Mr. Murcer…

Bobby Murcer, a terrific outfielder, current Yankees’ broadcaster, and from everything I ever read about him, a wonderful man, passed away earlier today, after a battle with brain cancer. He was 62.

Normally, at this web site, we stick to topics that affect only the Mets. However, when a decent person passes away, we break from the norm, to show respect, as we did when the brilliant comedian, George Carlin, passed away.

Yankees chairman George M. Steinbrenner issued the following statement upon learning of Murcer's death: "Bobby Murcer was a born Yankee, a great guy, very well-liked and a true friend of mine. I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife Kay, their children and grandchildren. I will really miss the guy."

A lifetime .277 batter, Murcer hit 252 home runs and drove in 1,043 runs in 1,908 Major League games with the Yankees, San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs.

Baseball Commissioner Allan H. "Bud" Selig issued the following statement: "All of Major League Baseball is saddened today by the passing of Bobby Murcer, particularly on the eve of this historic All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, a place he called home for so many years. Bobby was a gentleman, a great ambassador for baseball, and a true leader both on and off the field. He was a man of great heart and compassion and made many wonderful contributions to the Baseball Assistance Team and to the game. All of us in baseball will miss him. We pass on our sympathies and condolences to his family and to his many friends."

Murcer was the only Yankee to play with both Mickey Mantle and Don Mattingly, and was arguably the franchise's most popular player of the era immediately following Mantle's retirement after the 1968 season.

I vividly remember Mr. Murcer's most memorable moment, on Aug. 6, 1979, in the wake of Yankees captain Thurman Munson's untimely death in a plane crash. Munson and Murcer had been close friends. As the Yankees returned to New York from Munson's funeral service in Ohio, manager Billy Martin suggested that Murcer, who had delivered a moving eulogy for the catcher, sit out that evening's game against the Baltimore Orioles. Murcer disagreed, telling Martin that something was telling him to play, and that he did not feel tired. Dedicating his performance to Munson, Murcer drove in all of New York's runs in a 5-4 victory, slugging a three-run homer and a game-winning two-run single.

From all of us at 24 Hours From Suicide…, our sincere, heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to all of Mr. Murcer’s loved ones. You will me missed, sir, but, we are happy to know that you are no longer suffering. Good people should never have to suffer.

Rest in peace, Mr. Murcer…