NEW YORK -- Bobby Murcer succeeded Mickey Mantle, played in

pinstripes with Don Mattingly and watched proudly from the

broadcast booth when the New York Yankees returned to power.

A cherished link from former Yankees greats to the club's

current stars, Murcer died Saturday due to complications from a

malignant brain tumor, the team said. He was 62.

In his final moments, Murcer was surrounded by family at Mercy

Hospital in his hometown of Oklahoma City, the Yankees said. A

five-time All-Star outfielder, he spent nearly four decades with

New York as a player, executive and announcer.

"Bobby Murcer was a born Yankee, a great guy, very well-liked

and a true friend of mine," owner George Steinbrenner said. "I

extend my deepest sympathies to his wife Kay, their children and

grandchildren. I will really miss the guy."

Murcer was diagnosed with a brain tumor on Christmas Eve 2006

after having headaches. He had surgery that week in Houston and

doctors later discovered the tumor was malignant. Determined to be

around his beloved Yankees, Murcer returned to the broadcast booth

last year and briefly this season.

The only person to play with Mantle and Mattingly, the popular

Murcer hit .277 with 252 home runs and 1,043 RBIs in 17 seasons

with the Yankees, San Francisco and the Chicago Cubs. He made the

All-Star team in both leagues and won a Gold Glove.

Bobby Murcer played 17 seasons in the majors with the Yankees, Giants and Chicago Cubs. Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

"All of Major League Baseball is saddened today by the passing

of Bobby Murcer, particularly on the eve of this historic All-Star

game at Yankee Stadium, a place he called home for so many years,"

commissioner Bud Selig said. "Bobby was a gentleman, a great

ambassador for baseball, and a true leader both on and off the

field. He was a man of great heart and compassion."

Always a fan favorite in New York and known for his folksy

manner as a broadcaster, Murcer won three Emmy Awards for live

sports coverage. His most dramatic words came during his time as a

player on one of the saddest days in Yankees history.

Murcer delivered one of the eulogies in Ohio after captain

Thurman Munson was killed in a plane crash in August 1979. The team

flew home after the funeral and, that night, Murcer hit a three-run

homer and then a two-run single in the bottom of the ninth to beat

Baltimore 5-4.

A tearful Murcer fell into the arms of teammate Lou Piniella

after the game and gave his bat to Munson's wife.

"There is no way to explain what happened," Murcer said. "We

used every ounce of strength to go out and play that game. We won

it for Thurman."

The Yankees learned of Murcer's death Saturday after a 9-4

victory in Toronto. Visibly upset, players such as Mariano Rivera,

Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte spoke softly about how much Murcer

meant to them.

"He touched everybody," Rivera said.

"One of the greatest Yankees of all-time," Alex Rodriguez

added. "One of the greatest human beings I ever met."

It was the second consecutive summer that the Yankees lost a

former star and beloved broadcaster. Hall of Fame shortstop Phil

Rizzuto died in August 2007.

Now, the Yankees are mourning Murcer.

"If there's a Hall of Fame for people, he's in it," Reggie Jackson said. "He was such a good person, and he was appreciative of the people who cared so much for him."