Yankee for Life: My 40-Year Journey in Pinstripes | 
 enlarge | Authors: Bobby Murcer, Glen Waggoner
Publisher: Harper
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $13.33
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Avg. Customer Rating:  12 reviews
Sales Rank: 1105
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 320
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6.2 x 1.4
ISBN: 0061473413
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.357092
EAN: 9780061473418
ASIN: 0061473413
Publication Date: June 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Condition: Great condition, just arrived from publisher
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Product Description
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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
A Poignant Story July 23, 2008
I read the book shortly before Bobby Murcer's death and was impressed by his good nature, dignity and what has come to be known as "class". His love of family, baseball and the Yankees shines through every page. Diagnosed with a brain tumor on Christmas Eve, he never wallowed in self pity or bitterness. He was positive throughtout and, while he knew his life would be shortened by the disease, he never gave up and was an inspiration to others who were suffering from the same illness. If you are a baseball fan, or just a fan of nice people, you'll enjoy this book.
Bobby Murcer... July 22, 2008
was a Chicago Cub for two seasons, during that part of his life he referred to as his "exile" from Yankee pinstripes. Near the end of his playing career, he was traded back to the Yankees for a short time before leaving the playing field for the broadcasting booth.
I was brought up to be a Cubs fan, a National League fan at a time when there were few inter-league games other than the World Series. I didn't know much of what was going on "on the other side" and knew of Murcer only as a Cub.
Reading his autobiography, shortly after hearing about his death from brain cancer, I was struck by what a complete life he lived in his 60 years. Not much was wasted, either in his professional or personal life.
He seemed to regret little in his life, other than his shilling for Big Tobacco. If at the end of the day, that's all that's regretted, then it was a life well-lived.
My condolences to his wife Kay and his family.
 Courage, humor, loyalty July 17, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Having been a Bobby Murcer fan for my entire adult life, this book did nothing but reinforce that. While I was saddened to learn of his cancer and even more saddened by his recent death, this book provides insight into his fight, his attitude toward the disease, and the support he received from his family, his friends, and his faith. So, while it is not just a "sports" book, it does include numerous stories about his relationships with many greats of the game...both on the field and in the broadcast booth. It is in Bobby's down-home style..full of his sense of humor including asides to himself! On the baseball side, it is a memoir of his dedication to the team that originally signed him and the team he will be remembered most playing for...the Yankees.
Bottom line? Loved it, quick read, and a must for any Bobby Murcer fan!
A Story That Needed To Be Told July 17, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Bobby Murcer begins the book with the shocking news he received on Christmas Eve 2006 that he had a brain tumor. He then tells his life story in an engaging "real-person" manner with just the right amount of detail.
There are occasional remarks reserved for his wife Kay, which adds another interesting perspective to Murcer's interesting career with the Yankees, Giants, Cubs, then Yankees again.
When Murcer goes into greater depth regarding the removal of his tumor and the extensive treatments for his brain cancer, it's as if the reader can hear him speaking. He never complains about the fatal hand he has been dealt, and closes the book on an upbeat note. A truly courageous man.
wanted to correct a previous review July 16, 2008
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
Sorry this isn't a review of the book, but I wanted to correct a previous reviewer that said that the trade of Munson for Bobby Bonds "backfired" since Bonds was gone after one season. But look who they got for Bonds: a 20-game winning pitcher (Ed Figeuroa) and a sparkplug leadoff hitter (Mickey Rivers). I think that trade was one big reason why they won the WS in '77 and '78. So, in effect, they got those two key players for Mercer, so I wouldn't say the trade backfired.
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