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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 12:06 p.m., Monday, March 3, 2008

Baseball: Bobby Murcer resting after brain biopsy

By MIKE FITZPATRICK
AP Baseball Writer

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — New York Yankees broadcaster Bobby Murcer was resting in a Houston hospital after undergoing a brain biopsy today.

Results weren't expected until later in the week.

An All-Star outfielder who played 17 seasons in the major leagues, Murcer had surgery in December 2006 — four days after being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.

An MRI exam last week showed an area of concern, which could be scar tissue or another tumor, so Murcer went back to The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for additional tests.

"Bobby is doing great and is resting comfortably after this morning's biopsy," his wife, Kay, said in a statement Monday through Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo. "He could be released as early as tomorrow. Results won't be available until later this week."

The Yankees were in Kissimmee to play the Houston Astros in a spring training game.

The 61-year-old Murcer played for the Yankees, San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs from 1965-83, batting .277 with 252 home runs and 1,043 RBIs. He has been a popular broadcaster on Yankees games for 23 seasons, winning several Emmy Awards.

Murcer was diagnosed with the brain tumor on Christmas Eve. Since then, he has made trips between his Oklahoma City home and Houston for chemotherapy and radiation treatment. He is part of a vaccine trial.

After losing his hair, Murcer returned to the Yankees' broadcast booth last season. He hopes to work games this year, too.