Dale Murphy
| Birthdate | 03/12/1956 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1976 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Braves, Phillies, Rockies |
| Positions | Catcher, Center Field, Right Field |
Seven-time All Star Dale Murphy was the back-to-back MVP, an NL Silver Slugger 4 straight years, and a Gold Glover five straight seasons.
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From 1982-1987 Dale Murphy was among the best in the game
From 1982-1987 Dale Murphy was among the best in the game
Dale Murphy played his first 15 big league seasons with the Atlanta Braves. From 1982-1987 he was among the best in the game. The clean-living outfielder earned back-to-back Most Valuable Player Awards in ’82 and ’83, leading the league in RBI while hitting 36 homers each each.
During his six-year run of excellence, Murphy earned five Gold Gloves and six Silver Sluggers. He received votes in MVP balloting each season, finishing in the top ten four times. Durable, he averaged 161 games played. Murphy led the league in homers, RBI, and slugging percentage twice each. While active it felt like he was a shoe-in for Cooperstown. He was a true superstar of the decade.
During his 18-year career from 1976-1993, Murphy’s team reached the postseason only once. That came with manager Joe Torre‘s Braves in 1982.
Murphy’s skills deteriorated quickly after the 1991 season. In his age-36 season with the Phillies, he had a respectable 18 homers and 81 RBI. In his next two seasons, Murphy combined for 2 homers and 14 runs batted in. He retired in 1993.
The 1978 Topps set featured Dale Murphy on a “Rookie Catchers” card. He is pictured on the top right along with Lance Parrish, Ernie Whitt and the late Bo Diaz. All four men have signed the card.
Dale Murphy drove in 100 or more runs in 5 times between 1982-1987
Dale Murphy drove in 100 or more runs in 5 times between 1982-1987
Dale Murphy was one of baseball’s best run producers during the 1980s. From 1982-1987 few were better. Murph’ averaged 105 RBI during that time, leading the league twice.
In 1983, the second of his back-to-back MVP seasons, the Braves centerfielder drove in a career-high 121 runs to lead the league. He also paced the Senior Circuit in slugging percentage and OPS.
A Gold Glover and Silver Slugger Award winner, Murphy received 21 of the 24 first-place votes in ’83 MVP balloting.
Shown here is a Topps baseball card depicting Murphy and 1983 American League RBI co-leaders Cecil Cooper and Jim Rice. All three men have signed it.
Many assumed Dale Murphy would make the Hall of Fame
Many assumed Dale Murphy would make the Hall of Fame
Dale Murphy spent 18 years in the big leagues as a player mostly with the Atlanta Braves. During his playing career it was widely assumed that Murphy was a Hall of Famer.
He was an all star, Gold Glover, and Silver Slugger each year from 1982-1985. Overall the back-to-back MVP played in seven All Star contests. Murphy’s abrupt decline from the 1991 season to the 1992 campaign prohibited him from reaching the 400 homer benchmark; he finished with 399.
After being retired for the required five years, Murphy appeared on the writers’ ballot for 15 years topping out at 23.2% in 2000. His Hall of Fame fate is now in the hands of the Veterans Committee.
Ever a positive force, Murphy sent this letter to a fan while with the Braves. It reads in part, “I am returning the souvenir that you sent me, autographed as requested. I hope you enjoy it and that it becomes an important part of your baseball collection.”
To watch Murph play, was to appreciate the chance to see him play!
Dale Murphy should be in the hall of fame…not sure why he didn’t get the love
Dale Murphy should be in the HoF. Why he isn’t boggles my mind.
Great player ever better person Should be in HOF
DALE MURPHY belongs in the HOF.
For unexplained reasons, in the last few years of his career Murph was unable to avoid swinging at down and out of the strike zone away pitches. That is usually something seen in younger players before they learn to recognize the spin on pitches, like Austin Riley for awhile. I can’t think of another player who traveled this reverse evolution of his swing. Very sad and unfortunate for Murphy, because he was a great ballplayer, and an even greater human being.
Murphy is deserving however Vada Pinson is just as deserving hitting 21 points higher with over 2700 hits!
I wonder how many kids of the 80s like me fell in love with and chose to play baseball because of Dale Murphy. Because of his numbers combined with his character, achievements, awards, and the impact he had on young fans like me at the time, he’s a hall of famer in my book. If there are examples of all that’s bad with baseball, Murph’s always been an example of all that’s good with baseball.
Loved the guy but most voters see the drastic falloff his last few years with the Phillies, then his 1 month of service in Colorado turn abysmal