Bobby Murcer

Bobby Murcer rode the tidal wave of the Baby Boom generation into this world on May 20, 1946, in Oklahoma City, and has been making waves in sports ever since.

A gifted all-around athlete, Bobby Murcer's star began to shine brightly at Oklahoma City's Southeast High School. He excelled in every sport he played, garnering All-State honors in football and baseball and tacking on All-City honors in basketball. It was his affinity for baseball that was reflected in his astonishing senior year statistics of a .458 batting average with only one strikeout.

His outstanding high school performance caught the attention of New York yankees scout Tom Greenwade. In 1964, at the tender age of 18, Murcer signed his first professional baseball contract with the Yankees. Greenwade's involvement was especially meaningful since he also had been responsible for bringing Bobby's personal hero to the New York club years earlier: Mickey Mantle.

Murcer's playing career would span 19 years, with time off in 1967 and 1968 to serve in the military. He rejoined the Yankees in 1969, billed by many as the successor to Mantle. His first season back in the park, he slugged 26 homers and drove in 82 runs. The following season, in a double-header against Cleveland, he accomplished what was perhaps the most incredible feat of his career—four consecutive home runs—a major league record. In 1971, he had a career high batting average of .331, placing him second in the American League. During a three-year stretch through '71, '72, and '73, Murcer's average per season was 27 home runs, 95 runs batted in and a batting average of .325. He was named to the American League All Star Team all three years by Sporting News.

Bobby Murcer continued to excel throughout his career and spent all but four years with the Yankees ('75 and '76 were with the Giants, '77 and '78 with the Cubs). In 1981, he led the pinch hitters of the American League with three home runs and 12 RBIs. On June 11, 1983, he made his last appearance in professional baseball pinch-hitting against Cleveland. He had completed an outstanding pro career with more than 250 home runs, 285 doubles, over 1,000 RBIs and 1862 hits. He had appeared in two divisional playoffs, one World Series and five consecutive Major League All-Star games—and had won the Gold Glove award for outfielders in 1972.

Now working as a radio broadcaster for the Yankees and serving as president of the Oklahoma City 89ers baseball club, Murcer is active in numerous civic and business projects. If this dynamic, enthusiastically determined individual entered this world on a tidal wave, the crest may be yet to come.