Murcer/Munson Game

I've written about this a couple of times over the last few years, and obviously nothing has changed. However, as a Bobby Murcer fan, always a day I try to recognize. I also realize you can find this information other places on the internet, like I have over the years. 

August 6, 1979 is known around the Yankees and the baseball world as either "The Bobby Murcer game" or "The Thurman Munson Game." 

The Yankees defeated the Orioles 5-4. That score doesn't tell the story at all. 

This was after the Yankees' team attended the funeral for their captain, Thurman Munson, earlier in the day. Munson was tragically killed in a plane crash on August 2. 

Bobby Murcer was a eulogist, along with Lou Pinella, at Munson's funeral. 

A famous excerpt from Murcer's eulogy was "Thurman Munson wore the pinstripes as number 15, but in living, loving, and legend, history will forever remember my friend as number one." (2:25 of clip)

In the game on August 6, Murcer drove in all five runs, with a three-run home run in the seventh inning and a walk-off two-run single in the ninth. 

Side note: I like Howard Cosell for certain reasons but he says way too much here. Let it breath. 

Yankees Manager Billy Martin had told Murcer to take the game off, but Murcer told Martin he felt like he had to play. Sometimes, that's what people need. Murcer didn't just play. He honored his friend and teammate so well. 

Bobby had some special moments over his career, but this may have been the most special, as it was about more than baseball. 

The bat that Murcer used that game, he never used it again. He gave it to Diana Munson. 

This is a date that will live in Yankees' history forever, and as a Murcer fan, a date I always think about. 

43 Years

There have been a number of baseball related items I could have written about this week. From Yankees Old Timers Day, to the anniversary of Thurman Munson's passing, to Vin Scully passing away. For one reason or another, I did not. However, August 6 is a day I didn't feel like I could not write about. 

Sure, you can find similar things written elsewhere, but I wanted to, and felt I should write about this. 

August 6, 1979 is a day Yankee fans and baseball fans know. At least the older ones who were around. Then there are people like me who know and care about baseball history. I also watch so many old games and highlights of old games. 

This was the date of what many people call "The Bobby Murcer Game."

 It was an emotional week for the Yankees with captain Thurman being killed in a plane crash on August 2. 

The Yankees honored Munson on August 3 with a pre-game ceremony. 

August 6 was the funeral for Munson, where Murcer was one of the eulogists of his friend. Murcer was one of two eulogists (2:25 of clip), along with Yankee teammate Lou Pinella (12:15 of clip). 

Murcer's famous line from his eulogy was "Thurman Munson wore the pinstripes as number 15, but in living, loving, and legend, history will forever remember my friend as number one."

That night, the Yankees were scheduled to play the Baltimore Orioles. There was a chance the Yankees were going to forfeit the game if they didn't get back from the funeral in time. However, they played. Diana Munson, Thurman's widow, told Yankees owner George Steinbrenner that they should play, that Thurman would want that. 

Manager Billy Martin was going to give Murcer the day off, but Murcer insisted on playing. He said he needed to play. 

He did not only play, he had a big game. He drove in all five runs, in a 5-4 Yankees win. 

In the seventh, down 4-0, Bobby lined a three-run home run to right field to cut the deficit to one. 

The game remained 4-3 into the bottom of the ninth. With the tying run at third and the winning run at second, Bobby stepped up to the plate. 

And delivered. 

Bobby lined a ball down the left field line off of Orioles pitcher Tippy Martinez that scored Bucky Dent to tie the game and Willie Randolph crossed the plate with the winning run. 

Bobby talked about how he never used the bat he used in that game ever again. He gave it to Diana Munson,

August 6, 2008 was also the day of Murcer's memorial service, after he passed away on July 12 of that year. 

Bobby wasn't the greatest Yankee, but in a time of tragedy, this might have been Bobby's greatest Yankee moment. 

I hope you will reach and watch more about both Thurman and Bobby. I know I will be today. 

Here's the full game from August 6, 1979. 

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Howard Cosell is on the call of the game for ABC, along with Keith Jackson. I have a liking for Howard because my uncle has called me that. However, when we talk about crowd noise, Cosell does not go by that. He honestly talks way too much as he is making the call on the game winner. In a week in which we have honored Vin Scully, be like Vin. Call the play and then be quiet.