A former Yankees great remembers his years in pinstripes and talks candidly about his courageous battle with brain cancer.

As he stepped to the plate at Yankee Stadium on Opening Day in 1966, Bobby Murcer carried with him the hopes and expectations of Yankees fans looking for the next Mickey Mantle.

Like Mantle, Murcer was a phenom from Oklahoma. Like Mantle, he came up to the majors as a shortstop, but was later converted to a centerfielder. And like Mantle, his first at-bat in Yankee Stadium was at the tender age of 19.

Bobby wasn't the Mick, but he became one of the most beloved Yankees of all time.

Yankee for Life is the story of Murcer's stellar career as both a player and as an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster. With self-effacing humor and down-home charm, he shares fascinating, illuminating, and never-before-told anecdotes about former teammates and bosses, including Mantle, Phil Rizzuto, Lou Piniella—and George Steinbrenner.

But no relationship was more significant and poignant than his friendship with Yankees captain Thurman Munson, who died in a plane crash in 1979. On the morning of Munson's funeral, Murcer delivered the eulogy for his friend in Ohio; he ended the day by driving in all five runs in an extra-inning 5-4 victory at Yankee Stadium to honor his captain's memory.

Following his career, Murcer became a revered figure in the Yankees broadcast booth. From the best seat in the House That Ruth Built, he has watched the latest generation of Yankee superstars—Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Mariano Rivera—grow up.

No one is more qualified—or brave enough—to choose his own personal Pinstripe All-Star Team of the last 40 years.

Murcer is no stranger to courage. On Christmas Eve 2006, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Five days later, after surgery to remove it, he learned that the cancer was terminal. In an uplifting, honest, and even humorous exploration of his battle with illness, Murcer explains how the love of his wife and his family, a deep religious faith, and the passionate support of fans have seen him through his ordeal.

Bobby Murcer may not have become the next Mickey Mantle, but he became someone he always wanted to be—a Yankee for life.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Yankee for Life.
Comment: I hate the Yankees but have tons of friends that give me Evil Empire books because they know I love baseball and that I HATE THE YANKEES. But thsi book is great. If you love the Yankees then you need to buy this book. Bobby Murcer is a legend that all young fans should know about. Bobby was also mentioned in New York Yankees: An Interactive Guide to the World of Sports (Sports by the Numbers) great companion guide to any Yankees book.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Bobby Murcer story
Comment: Bobby Murcer has always been one of my favorite Yankees. This was a fast-read book and enjoyed every page of it. It was a bittersweet read, though. Brought back a lot of memories and left me feeling happy and sad at times, but would definitely recommend it.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Recommended reading....YANKEE FOR LIFE by Bobby Murcer with Glen Wagoner.
Comment: Recommended reading....YANKEE FOR LIFE by Bobby Murcer with Glen Wagoner.

Less than two months before Bobby Murcer died from brain cancer (July 12th of this year), Harper released his book YANKEE FOR LIFE. While the sub-title ("My 40-Year Journey In Pinstripes") makes it sound like a baseball centric journal, which of course most of it is, it goes far beyond that of a glory days bio.

Murcer was diagnosed with brain cancer on Christmas Eve 2006.

As Bobby wrote in the prefix:

"But here's the pay off pitch: within days, miraculously, I was enveloped by a calming sense of peace, acceptance, and trust.

Peace. Acceptance. Trust.

Those three words sustained me until I could regain my footing, and have been with me ever since."

Knowing how this story ends makes it all the more sadder based on the humor, hope, dignity and class Bobby Murcer has always shown. Whether you are a baseball fan or not, it is a story you will want to read. Two of Murcer's goals---To broadcast about fifty games in 2008 and to throw out the first pitch at the NEW Yankee Stadium in 2009---were, alas.......

Most book dedications are mere last minute publisher forced fluff, but this one is different. If Murcer's opening dedication "TO KAY" (his wife) doesn't move you, nothing will.

What follows from there is highly recommended.

Paul (see below)
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On June 30, Murcer's family released a statement that he had suffered a relapse:

" Bobby Murcer continues to recover from the effects of cancer and shingles, which caused him to cut short his broadcasting work and his book tour earlier this month. He has been under medical care in Oklahoma City.


The cancer treatment over the last 18 months has been intensive and has, as a side effect, somewhat compromised his immune system and made the fight all the more challenging. While he has shown some measured improvement in recent days, this is clearly a major battle, as all who have been through it understand.

Bobby remains hopeful that he will be able to resume his broadcasting work down the road, but for now, is appreciative of the thoughts and prayers of his fans, and wants them to know that he is aware that he is in their hearts, as they are in his.
"

Two weeks later, on July 12, Nancy Newman of the Yankees' YES Network reported that Murcer had died due to complications related to brain cancer. He was reportedly surrounded by family in his deathbed in his home in Oklahoma City. Yankees owner George Steinbrenner issued a statement following his death: "Bobby Murcer was a born Yankee, a great guy, very well-liked and a true friend of mine. I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife Kay, their children and grandchildren. I will really miss the guy." Baseball commissioner Bud Selig eulogized, "All of Major League Baseball is saddened today by the passing of Bobby Murcer, particularly on the eve of this historic All-Star game at Yankee Stadium, a place he called home for so many years. Bobby was a gentleman, a great ambassador for baseball, and a true leader both on and off the field. He was a man of great heart and compassion."

The memorial service for Bobby was held in Edmond, OK on August 6, at the Memorial Road Church of Christ. Among the some 2,000 attending the memorial were Reggie Jackson, Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte and Joe Girardi. Also in attendance Diana Munson, widow of Yankee captain Thurman Munson. The August 6 date was 29 years, to the day, since Murcer gave a eulogy at Thurman Munson's funeral and is also the 25th anniversary of Bobby Murcer Day at Yankee Stadium. The uniform worn by Murcer at his final Yankee Stadium Old Timer's Day appearance in 2007 was presented to his spouse Kay. His tomb can be located in Rose Hill Mausoleum, in the left side of the building.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Murcer

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A Yankee for Life
Comment: Execellent book for everyone, not only baseball fans. Murcer tells a compelling story of how to keep your priorities in order and maintain your faith. Very easy read, and well worth it.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Yankees fans need this book!
Comment: Bobby Murcer was my hero. I bought an advance copy from Amazon and waited months for it to arrive. It did not disappoint. It is one of the best books I've ever read about sports.
I miossplaced the boof for a couple of months, half-read. I found it again just after he passed away and started reading it again.

I'm saving the last few pages for when I need the strength.

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