Victory with a touch of tragedy

The Yankees won today and it was a much needed win. The bats got hot and after a rough first frame Rasner settled down and gave the Yanks five innings. Also impressive was that the bullpen continued its stellar play by throwing four shut out innings and only allowing one base runner in those four innings.

But the victory was tainted by sadness when it was announced that former Yankee player and broadcaster Bobby Murcer passed after a long battle with cancer. Bobby was always one of my favorite guys to have in the booth. He was unpretentious and he brought a classic knowledge of the game to every discussion.

Of course every one remembers the Thurman Munson game and Bobby's hero like performance in the wake of burying one of his best friends, but being of a younger generation my only experiences with Bobby were of him in the broadcast booth.

There was a time towards the end of high school and the beginning of college where my schedule put the Yankees on the back burner, and I neglected the team for a few years. It wasn't until the dark days of 2004 that I began paying attention with earnest again.

The 2005 season was my first time following the Yankees from the start of the season till the end since 2001 and aside from Arod's three home run performance in April the first game I usually recall from that season was a game against the Pirates where Jason Giambi began his road to redemption. Giambi had struck out in an important spot in the eighth inning and the fans were riding him hard. In the 10th he came up again, and this time he crushed a walk-off home run off of Jose Mesa. Bobby's call of that home run was one of unbridled enthusiasm and actual excitement that Giambi had won the game.

It was refreshing to hear someone in the booth call the play with the excitement of a fan but with the eloquence of a professional. That's what I'll remember about Bobby Murcer. His enthusiasm for the game and his ability to inject his excitement into the broadcast in a passionate but insightful way.

Our condolences go out to Bobby and his family who have endured his illness for almost two years and now have to endure his passing.