1974 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR
"One of the established stars of the league, Murcer has hit .331, .292 and .304 the last three seasons with 80 homers. He probably will not be too greatly affected by the move to Shea Stadium, although he did run into a power slump in the second half of the season which badly hurt the team in its total collapse.
Born in Oklahoma City, Bobby's idol was Mickey Mantle and he was signed by the same scout who signed Mantle."
-Peter Gammons, The Complete Handbook of Baseball, 1974 Edition
"There's a Most Valuable Player Award in Bobby Murcer's future. We can't predict when, but this is a man with all the credentials ... all the tools to qualify when the time comes.
When the Yankees were making a run at the pennant last season, Bobby was leading the charge. With his potent bat, daring baserunning and defensive prowess, his presence was always felt. A player who seems to do everything right by instinct, Bobby is the very heart of the Yankee lineup.
After joining the club on a regular basis in 1969, Bobby learned the league, adjusting to a two-year layoff due to military service, and by 1971 was ready to show the baseball world what he was made of. So the Oklahoma City wonder, who packs a lot of power into a comparatively small frame, exploded with three consecutive super seasons, orbiting him into the starting lineup at the annual All-Star Game, and making his the first name in mind when fans around the league await the Yankees' arrival.
Bobby won't be 28 until May 20 - just reaching his peak years as a ballplayer. And there should be a lot of happiness for Bobby, the Yankees, and their fans during that peak period."
-The New York Yankees Official 1974 Yearbook
"Bobby lived up to his All-Star status last season, leading the Yankees in virtually every offensive category: batting average (.304), hits (187), doubles (29), homers (22) and RBIs (95). He had the fourth highest average in the league and was seventh in runs batted in. He also led the club in game-winning hits with 13. He has been the Yankee leader for the past three years in hits, doubles, homers, batting average and RBIs.
Originally signed as a shortstop, Bobby made the All-Star team for the third consecutive year as an outfielder. He won the Gold Glove award in 1972.
He is just 27 years old; players don't reach their full potential until 28 or 29 years of age. In Bobby's case the Yankees can look forward to exciting performances in years ahead. He's a hard nosed player who is recognized as one of the most competitive players in the major leagues.
Bobby had three homers in one game last season for the second time in his career. He has had two or more homers in one game ten times. He had four homers in four official times at bat against Cleveland in doubleheader on June 24, 1970: he rapped three in the first game and one in the second game, tying a major league record. His 130 lifetime home runs rank 18th on the all-time Yankee list.
Bobby's baseball idol has always been Mickey Mantle."
-1974 New York Yankees Press/TV/Radio Guide
"Outfielder. New York Yankees. Above average major league hitter ... mostly pull hitter, but can hit to all fields ... above major league power to right and right center ... difficult to defense ... above average major league speed ... legs out a lot of infield hits ... will drag bunt."
-1974 All-Star Game official program
No comments:
Post a Comment