The Brain Tumor Foundation Pays Tribute to Bobby Murcer. Updates from the Winter Leagues and Yankees Hot Stove.

November 4, 2008 by Kevin Rozell

The Brain Tumor Foundation Pays Tribute to Bobby Murcer

The Brain Tumor Foundation mourns the passing of Yankees icon, Bobby Murcer. His talent and heart, both on the field and off, will be cherished – and deeply missed.

“If I can save lives, I’m in,” was Bobby’s immediate reponse to being asked to join the BTF team as an advocate and spokesperson for The Road to Early Detection Campaign – see below for more about the Campaign.

Bobby was to be honored at BTF’s Annual Tribute Dinner on November 19, 2008 for helping increase public awareness about the early detection of this disease. He was also going to be involved in the September launch of the Campaign’s first Mobile MRI Unit.

The Brain Tumor Foundation offers its deepest condolences to Bobby’s wife, Kay, and to the entire Murcer family.

I miss Bobby so much..what agreat guy.

In other news:

The Lohud Yankees Blog (Peter Abraham) Here are some updates on the statistics of the Yankees prospects in the winter leagues.

RHP Kevin Whelan has allowed just one earned run in six relief appearances for the Peoria Javelinas, striking out 10 batters in 10 innings. He ranks fifth in the Arizona Fall League in ERA (0.90). OF Justin Christian, playing with the Caneros de los Mochis of the Mexican League, is tied for first in the league in stolen bases with seven. He has hit safely in 16 of his 20 starts with the Caneros. Christian is hitting only .241, however, with a .300 OBP. 2B Kevin Russo is currently riding a 13-game hitting streak for Peoria in the AFL. He is hitting .361 and has a .391 OBP. 2B Damon Sublett is having a strong season in Hawaii. He is at .294 with 15 RBI and seven extra-base hits in 51 ABs. RHP Andrew Brackman is 3-3, 4.21 in Hawaii. In 25.2 innings, he has allowed 24 hits, walked 13 and struck out 27.

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Wanna win? Put Joba in the pen Keeping Joba in the bullpen as Rivera’s setup man is the way the Yankees can re-establish that kind of late-game dominance.

Cashman targets CC, Lowe, Burnett Sabathia and Lowe would be at the head of the wish list, but the Yankees privately still are not sure either truly wants to wear pinstripes

As Stadiums’ Costs Swell, Benefits in Question As the two stadiums near completion, the cost to taxpayers is anything but small, a review of the projects shows. Though the teams are indeed paying approximately $2 billion to erect the two stadiums, the cost to the city for infrastructure — parks, garages and transportation improvements — have jumped to about $458 million, from $281 million in 2005.

Red Sox, Yankees expected to fight for Teixeira The Yankees, who will shed about $75 million in expiring contracts this offseason, want Teixeira to bolster their offense and improve their defense, and they will bid heavily, to the point that they might offer the first baseman about the same deal they gave Jason Giambi — $120 million, paid out over six years.

A.J. Burnett Rumors A.J. Burnett’s agent Darek Braunecker said he’ll likely meet with Blue Jays brass as soon as today, to see whether Toronto makes a “knock-your-socks off”

Trade Cano or move him to centerfield? The Yankees are exploring a possible bid for free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson, and are intrigued enough by Hudson’s talent and reputation as an excellent clubhouse influence to bat around the possibilities of trading talented young second baseman Robinson Cano or even signing Hudson with the idea of moving him to centerfield.