Former Yankee Murcer has brain cancer

NEW YORK, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Former New York Yankees outfielder Bobby Murcer has been diagnosed with brain cancer.

Murcer, 60, is scheduled for surgery this week to remove a tumor from his brain, the New York Daily News reported. Murcer had been complaining of headaches and a loss of energy before doctors determined he had cancer.

Murcer underwent an MRI on Sunday that indicated the cancer. He opted for further treatment at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, the newspaper said.

Murcer has been a Yankee broadcaster since he retired as a player in 1983. He played 1,908 games over 17 seasons -- nearly all with the Yankees, although Murcer did play with the San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs.

He hit .277 with 252 home runs and 1,043 runs batted in during his career. He was selected to five consecutive All-Star teams from 1971-75 and won a Gold Glove in 1972.