Longtime Mets announce Bob Murphy passed away after a battle with lung cancer. He was 79.

I remember spending many summer nights watching Mets broadcasts with my grandmother and grandfather (huge Mets fans!) listening to Murphy and Ralph Kiner and Lidsay Nelson call the games.

Bob Murphy Dies

Sad news. It's nice that he was honored last year when he retired.

So few of these oldtimers, who have a graceful way with the language & enjoy a simple turn of phrase (like Murphy's own "happy recap") are left. Fortunately, he was feted upon his induction to the Hall of Fame and at the time of his retirement, with the broadcast booth being honored with his name.

~Adam

Well said, Adam....your description also applies to Vin Scully (who I just finished listening to call the Dodgers-Pirates game, thanks to MLB's Extra Innings pkg), who remains one of the best announcers in the business, even after 50+ years in the booth....he's the only baseball broadcaster I've seen (at least on television anyway) who calls the entire game himself without a "sidekick" or color commentator....and believe me he doesn't need one, either.

Vin may be 76 years old but he still sounds as eloquent and sharp as ever....I'm not even a Dodger fan but if there are 3-4 west coast games of equal interest on at the same time I'll usually watch the Dodger game just to hear his broadcasting expertise.

Getting back to the topic of this thread, I remember hearing Bob Murphy, Lindsay Nelson and Ralph Kiner broadcast Mets games on channel 9 as a little kid in NY....Lindsay was always my favorite (partially due to his "loud" jackets and colorful clothes -- I guess I probably should have figured out I was gay back then, even as a 7 yr old ) but Murphy was the consummate professional who always sounded like the "average fan" who received a great deal of enjoyment from what he was doing....may he rest in peace.

~Joe

[ August 03, 2004, 10:10 PM: Message edited by: gamecock ]

I didn't hear about his passing until I turned the Mets game on last night around the 7th inning. Sad news. The MSG TV announcers indicated that there would be a tribute to Bob Murphy before tonight's game at 7pm.

Wow I was shocked to hear about Murphy passing away.

I'm actually in Milwaukee to see the Mets play, and last night right before the game started the Miller Park PA guy asked everyone to rise for a moment of silence to honor Bob Murphy.

I was so shocked I could barely get out of my seat.

How incredibly sad. I listened to Bob announce for about 15 years, and he was truly a wondeful broadcaster.

He will most definitely be missed )-:

Josh