That's Me in the Corner

 

The Cubeta Stadium scoreboard between
FCIAC semifinal games tonight

This is a public service announcement from the desk of Rascal Squeakybeast, President of Robcasting Media.

OK, it's a PSA from me.

Please. 

Pretty please.

When I'm somewhere to call a game, please let me call the game.

Don't be the peanut gallery, trying to catch any little mistake I make so you can have the satisfaction of correcting me.

Chances are I'm going to catch myself. Though, yes, there are times I won't.

I've heard it all.

Let's face it, this goes back to the affair at Cardinal Stadium last year. 

But here's a reminder:

- I'm not running the music.

- I'm not responsible for the in-stadium announcements.

- I'm not rooting for your team. 

- I'm not rooting against your team.

- I'm actually rooting for your athletes -- all of them -- to do great things.

- I'm rooting for drama, certainly, because that's just so wonderful to describe.

- Lastly, and I can't stress this enough, I have microphones and, often, a couple of them, with me and they're live. They're recording. And what you're saying could possibly be heard. More to the point, it can be distracting!

So don't get twisted if I say a pitcher has retired nine in a row but I said eight. Again, I'm likely to catch it.

I realize, generally speaking, people are trying to help and support and so often it comes in handy. Yes, there's no question it's often in how the message is relayed.

But, also, there's a method to my madness.

Are there times that I've colossally screwed up? Oh, no question. There have been epic moments of mental blocks that have had me calling schools by the wrong name and other delights.

But there is also an inherent "I got ya" mentality to all of this. You want to be the smartest cookie in the big jar of a press box and gosh darn it, you'll show that dastardly announcer person a thing or two!

I love a lively press box when it flows correctly. It's great to catch my eye in a break and tell me something. People do it all the time.

And I love to laugh with people. It makes the whole situation more pleasant.

Most of the time, I want to just be invisible, like the kid who used to sit and call games off the TV to practice.

This probably isn't coming off the way I want it to and perhaps I'm best to just stop.

I'm happy to talk in calmer moments about broadcasting. I love talking about broadcasting, explaining my career, telling stories, etc.

But I'm also there to do a job and once the "red light" goes on (theoretical or otherwise) there's work to be done.

Anyway, I'm babbling and not explaining this well.

*****

Bobby Murcer, 1969

Happy 78th birthday, Bobby Ray Murcer, wherever you are. We lost you much too soon. Your impact on me -- first as an athlete who was larger than life, then as a broadcaster -- was immense.

Your heading into broadcasting in 1983 was almost an "ah ha!" moment for me, making me think about what I wanted to do when I grew up.

I'm still trying to figure that out.

But the icons who have inspired me have generally been grounded souls. Good people.

I continue to lament the fact that the Yankees -- the team you loved so much -- have treated you often as an afterthought. It drivers my nuts when so many people spell your last name wrong. Only calling Graig Nettles "Craig" can rival that for me.

But there's no plaque in Monument Park or any other honor. Even finding items related to you can often be tough.

I wonder if you hadn't been a Yankee -- a team so filthy rich in legends -- might there be more attention.

But, the game after Thurman's funeral is known as The Bobby Murcer Game. Ask anyone of my generation and you are beloved. Just not by the team.

I don't kid myself about you making the Hall of Fame as a player or receiving a Ford Frick Award for your broadcasting.

And you never needed that for me.

But you deserve acknowledgment for a nearly 50-year association with the Yankees.

No, they weren't the greatest years and you didn't become "the next Mickey Mantle." You didn't need to.

You were the occasionally only shining light fans had.

You were the only Bobby Murcer.

And that was enough.

I remain proud to be a fan of you as a player, a broadcaster, and a person. Thank you for showing me that it's ok to meet heroes.

In my case, it was better than OK.

It was unforgettable.