WEST PALM BEACH - Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Murphy, who covered the Mets from their inception in 1962 until his retirement after last season, died Tuesday at the Hospice of Palm Beach County after a battle with lung cancer. He was 79.
Mr. Murphy was a broadcaster for 50 years, starting with the Red Sox in 1954 and moving to the Orioles in 1960. He came to the expansion Mets in their first season, joining Lindsay Nelson and Hall of Fame slugger Ralph Kiner in the booth. The trio worked together on radio and television for 17 years before Nelson left for San Francisco.
"It's like losing a brother," Kiner said in a statement. "We did everything together, we went to movies, ate together and traveled together. It's so hard to fathom he's gone."
Mr. Murphy spent the final 15 years of his career working on radio broadcasts with Gary Cohen. Kiner called his longtime partner "the brother I never had."
OLERUD JOINS YANKS: Recently released John Olerud signed with New York as expected, giving the team insurance at first base while Jason Giambi is treated for a benign tumor.
Olerud is a two-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner and was the 1993 AL batting champion. But he started slumping in the second half last season with Seattle, and the Mariners cut him last month when his slide continued.
"I've definitely struggled, but I believe I can turn it around," Olerud said. "I don't feel like I'm that far off. I think I'm still that same player."
GRIFFEY RETURNS: The Reds activated Ken Griffey from the 15-day disabled list before their game against the Giants.
Griffey had been sidelined since tearing his right hamstring while chasing a flyball July 10. The injury forced him to miss the All-Star Game last month. Despite being activated, Griffey was not in the lineup for the series opener, but he is expected to play tonight.
WORLD CUP: Bob DuPuy, baseball's chief operating officer, met with Japanese and South Korean commissioners to discuss their concerns about the proposed World Cup.
Japanese owners rejected a proposal last month to stage the first World Cup in March, primarily because it would be too close to the start of their regular season in late March or early April.
ASTROS: Left-hander Andy Pettitte, a late scratch from a start last week against Cincinnati, plans to return to the mound against Montreal on Saturday. A small tear in a tendon in his left elbow likely will hinder him the rest of the season.
DODGERS: Manager Jim Tracy gave his No. 12 uniform to newly acquired outfielder Steve Finley when the team started a homestand. After he was obtained from Arizona on Saturday, Finley was assigned No. 16, Paul Lo Duca's old number. "Steve Finley's worn that (No. 12) for a long time. Steve Finley deserves to wear it," Tracy said.
EXPOS: Right-hander Tony Armas was a late scratch from his scheduled start after having difficulty getting loose during pregame warmups.
GIANTS: Left-hander Noah Lowry was recalled from Triple-A Fresno to start in place of Dustin Hermanson, who was moved to the bullpen and could become the closer.
RANGERS: Shortstop Michael Young was a late scratch because of back stiffness and is day to day.
TWINS: The team is trying to figure out if rookie catcher Joe Mauer will need another knee operation. He went to the disabled list for the second time July 19. If Mauer must miss another big chunk of time, Minnesota might try to trade for a veteran catcher.
