Former New York Yankees outfielder and YES broadcaster Bobby Murcer died Saturday from complications of brain cancer. He was 62.
Murcer, according to the Major League Baseball club, was surrounded by family at Mercy Hospital in his hometown of Oklahoma City. He is survived by his wife Kay, his children, Tori and Todd, and his grandchildren.
A family service will be held within the next several days in Oklahoma City. In addition, a celebration of Murcer's life will be held at a date to be determined, according to the Yankees
Complaining of headaches, Murcer was diagnosed with a brain tumor on Christmas Eve 2006. He had surgery four days later in Houston as doctors later determined the tumor was malignant. Murcer returned to the YES broadcast booth last season and made a few brief appearances in 2008.
A five-time All-Star with 252 career home runs and 1,043 RBIs, the folksy and fun-loving Murcer was a fan favorite both in the booth and on the field, where he played 17 seasons for the Yankees, San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs.
“The Yankees have lost an icon, and we at YES have lost a great friend and colleague," said YES president, production and programming John Filipelli in a statement. “Bobby was the ultimate pro, be it on the field or behind the microphone. He will be missed greatly. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Kay and his family.”
Added YES studio host Bob Lorenz: “My greatest impression of Bobby is not as a player or broadcaster, but as a human being. He was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word, and that’s not a word we hear enough these days. He always treated people warmly and his positive, upbeat personality just made people he came in contact with feel better instantly. His presence had that kind of impact.”
For more on Murcer's passing, check YES's , the Yankees' and Major League Baseball's Web sites.On
On Sunday, YES will air a full night of programming in tribute to the late slugger: A Celebration of the life of Bobby Murcer at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.; the interview show CenterStage at 8 p.m.; and the profile series Yankeeography at 9 p.m.
