a700hitter

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6311468 Bobby Murcer was released from the hospital today to return home to recover from surgery for a brain tumor. I remember him as a rookie with the Yankees. He came up as an infielder with stone hands and he was quickly moved to the OF. He wasn't a bad little ballplayer, and the friendly right field porch of the old Yankee Stadium was made for his swing. He was a bit over-hyped, but solid player. He would freak out every time he would face Gaylord Perry. If Perry touched his hat or his head, Murcer would demand that the ump check the ball and inspect Perry. Perry had him so psyched out that he never had to load up the ball to get Murcer out. He was defeated before Perry went into his wind-up. Murcer's Yankee career was effectively ruined by the Yankees' temporary move in 1974 to Shea Stadium which psychologically defeated him and resulted in his trade to the Giants for Bobby Bonds before the 1975 season. Candlestick Park in SF was also not a favorite of Bobby's and he didn't return to offensive prominence until he was traded to the Cubs. As an announcer, he has always been an easy listen. He has a good sense of humor. He does not make the game about him like lots of color analysts who over-analyze the slightest minutiae. He's almost devoid of ego. He's just a regular guy talking about the game. None of the reports have said whether his tumor is malignant, but the fact that they have not released a report that it was benign makes me think that his prognosis may not be very good. I am hoping that he will make a full recovery and return to the booth soon.

I would not be shocked if Bard advanced quickly during the year and ended up playing a significant late inning role by the end of the year.

Not if he gets the run support on the wrong nights.

It's curious that you have elected to respond to my response to elsrbueno's post, but not to my response to your "Pujols" post.

What does Joe Torre have to say about 2008? I f he doesn't care, why should I care. Also, if I plunk down $30 in parking plus $130 for two tier box seats to watch someone like Karstens get lit up in 2007, it would be no comfort to me that Ross the Hoss maybe, could be, might be on the '08 team. I'd rather watch Randy Johnson.

I do like established players. There's no doubt about that. I hate when I read posts that think it is fine to let our stars walk for sandwich picks. I'd rather get a sandwich. At least I'd have something. Your assertion that I would trade Hughes for Colon or Schilling is an exaggeration. I wouldn't trade the top prospect in the organization for a 40 year old pitcher or a broken down pitcher with a surgically repaired shoulder. I might give up a basket of second tier guys in those deals, but not the blue-chippers. I would however give up a blue-chipper like Hughes plus a basket of second tier guys for Johan Santana. I'd do that in a heart beat, and I think Cashman and Theo also would do it. I usually advocate giving up our best prospects for young stars like Chad Cordero, not old guys. I'm on record as supporting a trade at last year's deadline that would have given up MDC, Lester, Hansen and Crisp for Oswalt-- a young stud. My problem with the reluctance to trading Red Sox prospects is that I really think that the Red Sox organization has few, if any, true blue-chippers. I think they are mostly over-hyped, with the exception of Bard.

Yes, i am glad he's gone. No matter what I called him and no matter how much I enjoyed him having a bad season (for him), I never liked when he faced the Red Sox. If the surgery helps him rebound, I am glad we have seen the last of him in a Yankee uniform.

It's just such a bore to be discussing this nobody in such detail. I play softball on two teams in NYC with some hardcore Yankee fans, and I'd be surprised if one of them ever heard of this guy prior to this trade. I'm glad that your glad that you no longer have Randy Johnson. I am too, and this Ross the Hoss doesn't concern me one for 2007.

Another pointless thread about an over-hyped prospect received in return for a HOF pitcher. Congrats! He will not beat us in 2007, so I don't care.

The guy had a herniatred disc in his back. In 2005 when his back was okay he was 17-8 with a 3.79 ERA and a 5-0 record vs. the Red Sox. Winning 17 games with a herniated disc is pretty good too. He's a pretty damn good pitcher when healthy, although he is no longer an overpowering force.

Your rotation was only one acquistion away from Wang, Moose, Pettitte, Johnson and Clemens. That would have been impressive.

Not as good as: Wang=Wang Moose=Moose Johnson=Johnson Clemens>Wright Pettitte>Chacon/Lidle

Not as good as: Wang=Wang Johnson=Johnson Pettitte>Wright Moose=Moose Igawa>Chacon, Lidle

We've faced Matsui for several years already. Abreu is a good replacement for Sheffield. The Johnson-Pettitte swap is a wash. There is no addition to last years roster that concerns me for 2007, and I am quite pleased that they didn't keep Sheffield and Johnson. I really would not like facing a lineup with Sheffield at 1B and Giambi at DH, with a rotation of Wang, Moose, Johnson, Pettitte, and Igawa.

We will have to see how he does against the Yankees in 2007.

Exactly.

Both were injure. Both should be healthy in 2007.

I haven't said it was poor. Maybe in three years these moves bear fruit, but he hasn't done a single thing to give me cause for concern in 2007. Pettitte was a nice move that was neutralized by trading Unit. We'll see if he gets Clemens. I will not like that, but he shouldn't hurt the Sox head to head. We will see if he has other moves up his sleeve. If his only other move is trading Melky, he will not have done a thing to concern me for 2007. On the other hand, the Red Sox have made some major strides forward. Granted that the Red Sox had more work to do, but they have significantly closed the gap.