Yankees announcer Murcer fights cancer

NEW YORK, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- New York Yankees broadcaster Bobby Murcer has announced that a tumor removed from his brain during surgery last month was malignant.

Murcer, a former Yankees outfielder, made the announcement in a statement released by the Yankees, but gave no details about his prognosis, The New York Times reported.

The surgery was performed Dec. 28.

"As we begin a new year, I find myself facing a new challenge -- the biggest of my life so far," said Murcer in the statement.

The tumor was detected during a magnetic resonance imaging scan Dec. 24, after Murcer, 60, had been experiencing headaches and fatigue, the newspaper said. The tumor was removed at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Yankees owner George Steinbrenner issued a statement saying Murcer "has true grit" and "is a fighter."

Murcer, a five-time all-atar, played for the Yankees, the San Francisco Giants and the Chicago Cubs from 1965 to 1983. His lifetime batting average was .277, and he finished his career with 252 home runs and 1,043 RBI.