By JT
Bobby Murcer couldn't live up to being the "next Mickey Mantle", but who could? Murcer was a fine ballplayer who Bob Costas said had a "worthy career". Agreed.
What is a nice little nugget is that Murcer actually hit better versus Hall of Fame pitchers than he did on his versus his career averages—
He had a higher average, better on-base and slugging percentages, more home runs facing the tougher pitchers.
He had trouble with Gaylord Perry, whom he had a rivalry with over spitballs, and with Phil Niekro who had a fierce knuckleball about whom Murcer once said, "Trying to hit Phil Niekro is like trying to eat jello with chopsticks".
Note: when Jim Kaat and Tommy John—two pitchers that are near 300 wins, his at-bats go to 640, his batting average rises to .292 and his home run total goes to 24 and his RBI total jumps to 85.
Certainly, it can be said Murcer hit well against the best.
Well done, Kid.
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