Monday, January 28, 2008

Bobby Murcer Honored at BBWAA Dinner

I forgot to mention it earlier, but Bobby Murcer also received an award at last night's BBWAA dinner. He was presented with the Milton Richman "You Gotta Have Heart" Award.

From MLB.com:
NEW YORK -- The fact that Bobby Murcer even made it to the New York Hilton on Sunday night represented something of a miracle. Science said he shouldn't have been there. Common sense agreed. But when it came time for the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America to present its annual Milton Richman "You Gotta Have Heart" Award, there stood Murcer, ready to accept.

Barely one year after doctors diagnosed him with a malignant brain tumor, Murcer took the podium not as a victim, but as a survivor. His determination had helped that miracle happen, to be sure -- and so too, had the determination of others.

"The reason I'm here tonight is because of all your love for me," Murcer told a crowd of writers, players, Hall of Famers and fans at the 85th annual New York BBWAA dinner. "That's what's sustained me and that's what's given me the strength to be here tonight and to fight this deadly disease."

While Murcer was just one winner among many on Sunday, his award meant something more. And the crowd certainly punctuated that, honoring him with a rousing standing ovation after new Yankees manager Joe Girardi presented the award.

"Bobby, you've inspired us with all the hits and the great catches," Girardi said, "but you've never inspired us more than with the way you live your life."

From everything I've heard about Bobby Murcer he is one of the better people in the game of baseball. From writers, to broadcasters, to current and fomer players, they all have nothing but great things to say about the man. It's great to see him receive this honor, but it's even better knowing he's healthy.

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