Yankees broadcaster Murcer begins recovery from brain surgery

NEW YORK -- Former New York Yankees player Bobby Murcer watched the Independence Bowl from his Houston hospital bed after surgery to remove a brain tumor.

Murcer, now a Yankees broadcaster, was alert and joking with staff and family members Friday, a day after surgery at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, according to his wife, Kay.

Murcer, who watched Oklahoma State beat Alabama 34-31 Thursday night, had been having headaches and feeling a loss of energy. The tumor was discovered following an MRI on Christmas Eve.

"We have been thrown into a situation that has required as much total focus as we can muster," Kay Murcer said in a statement released Friday by the Yankees. "With the surgery over, we are now needing to expend all our energies on decisions that will benefit Bobby's full recovery."

She thanked fans for their concern and asked for privacy while her husband recovers.

Murcer, 60, played 17 seasons in the big leagues from 1965-83 and was a five-time All-Star and a Gold Glove-winning outfielder. In his career with the Yankees, San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs, he batted .277 with 252 home runs and 1,043 RBI.

After his retirement, Murcer won three Emmy Awards for live sports coverage as the voice of the Yankees.