I mean, come on! The Yankees were just coming out of the lean years, Murcer was our one bankable star who started the All-Star game the year before, and we opened packs to find him painted into a San Francisco Giants uniform, yet STILL having “A.L. All-Star” on the front.
For a kid back then, it was heart-breaking.
Anyway, I may have to actually print this one out to slip into my 1975 binder alongside the original to really make it all complete!
Murcer really did have a very nice career, especially those seasons between 1969 and 1977 when he drove in over 80 runs eight times, while topping 90 five of those seasons.
He hit as high as .331 (1971) while hitting as many as 33 homers (1972), while also leading the league in runs scored with 102 in 1972, OBP with a .427 mark in 1971 and total bases with 314 again in 1972.
He made five straight All-Star teams from 1971 through 1975, and was in the top-10 in MVP voting three straight years: 1971-1973.
Much more importantly, the man was one of the nicest human beings on the planet, as I can attest to, meeting him on more than a few occasions.
He was just as “real” as it got.
Rest in Peace Bobby. You are truly missed.