Wrong time for Murcer
Bobby Murcer, who died Saturday at the age of 62, was an Oklahoma City icon and he became a New York City icon and Mr. Yankee, through his broadcasting. But if Murcer had played for the Yankees in almost any other era, he would have been a much bigger star.
Consider this: in the last 87 years, the Yankees have won the American League or made the playoffs 48 times. A huge list of good players became legends because they wore the pinstripes. Bill Dickey, Red Ruffing, Phil Rizzuto, Bobby Richardson, Willie Randolph, Jorge Posada. Dozens more.
But in Murcer’s 13 years as a Yankee, New York made the playoffs just twice, 1980 and 1981, both times when Murcer was at the end of his career serving mainly as a pinch-hitter. Murcer’s Yankee career began in 1965, which is the absolute worst time in a century to debut in pinstripes.
The great Yankee dynasty, 1947-64, ended with a thud in 1965 and the Yanks spent a decade as a mediocre team, only twice finishing within 15 games of first place. By the time the Yanks got good again, goofy general manager Gabe Paul had traded Murcer to San Francisco.
Put Murcer in Yankee Stadium in the 1950s or early 1960s, and he would have been a superstar. He would have been what Roger Maris was for a few years. Put Murcer on the Joe Torre teams of the late ’90s, and he would have made $15 million a year. Put Murcer on the Yankee teams of Ruth or DiMaggio, and you might have to put him in the Hall of Fame.
Murcer was a five-time all-star. He was the Bernie Williams of his time; a stately, classic Yankee centerfielder who was a step below superstardom but a winning ballplayer who is fondly remembered by fans who know the game. And know the Yankees.
-------------Berry Tramel can be heard Monday through Friday from 4:40-5:20 p.m. on The Sports Animal radio network, including AM-640 and FM-98.1. You can e-mail him here and follow him on Twitter @BerryTramel. Visit Berry's website here.
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Murcer was a darn good player who never quite seemed to catch the public fire for big reputation. He should have. The career was there. He gained recognition with his representation of the organization after his playing career. He was articulate and informed. He’s among a handfull of Oklahomans (including those with “ties” to Oklahoma) who reached such heights in the majors. (It was surprising and pleasant to see John Snyder’s name on one piece in the Oklahoman. Nice piece it was.)