OKLAHOMA'S FAMOUS ATHLETES & COACHES MURAL AT BRICKTOWN

On July 12th, I took these photos of Oklahoma's famous athletes and coaches who are depicted on a mural near Bricktown in downtown Oklahoma City. For photos of musicians, actors and other persons on the mural, see my post for July 13th on my other blog: Oklahoma . . . and Beyond!

Top to bottom, right to left, are:

Johnny Bench - Wayman Tisdale
Troy Aikman - Joe Carter
Barry Switzer - Eddie Sutton
Jason White - Steve Owens
Shannon Miller - Sean O'Grady/Bart Conner

BOBBY MURCER: 5/20/46-7/12/08

I just received a "breaking news" e-mail alert that Oklahoma City's Bobby Murcer has passed away. This morning I was in downtown OKC and took this photo of Bobby that is part of a mural of famous Oklahomans near Bricktown. There is also a bust of Bobby outside the Bricktown Ballpark.

Bobby Murcer replaced fellow Oklahoman Mickey Mantle (who had replaced Joe DiMaggio) as centerfielder for the New York Yankeees. Both started their careers as shortstops, but were quickly moved to center, and both replaced legends.

For a few seasons, Bobby Murcer played for the San Franciso Giants and the Chicago Cubs, before returning to the Yankees. I saw Bobby play for the Cubs in July 1978 when my father and I rode the Amtrak train to Chicago to see a game.


Some interesting Bobby Murcer facts:

* Only Yankee to play with Mickey Mantle and Don Mattingly
* Went to same high school as Darrell Porter and Mickey Tettleton
* Once traded for Bonds (Bobby that is, Barry's father)
* Gave the euolgy at Thurman Munson's funeral, then knocked in all five runs in Yankees victory that evening
* Inducted into Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Oklahoma Hall of Fame
* Youngest American Leaguer to earn $100,000 annual salary

At Thurman Munson's funeral he quoted the poet and philosopher Angelo Patri:

The life of a soul on earth lasts longer than his departure. He
lives on in your life and the life of all others who knew him.

Local coverage of Bobby Murcer's life and baseball career can be found on Newsok.com at http://newsok.com/article/3269488/

BRICKTOWN MURAL - OKLAHOMA CITY

(left to right) OSU basketball coach Eddie Sutton, Yukon's Garth Brooks, Oklahoma City's The Flaming Lips, Stillwater's The All American Rejects and OU football coach Barry Switzer.