WHY I THINK DALE MURPHY SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN

 WHY I THINK DALE MURPHY SHOULD BE IN COOPERSTOWN 

By- Damien 

Dale Murphy was the kind of player who would be appreciated today - a player with a ton of power, a lot of walks, too many strikeouts, fantastic outfield defense (five Gold Gloves), five seasons with over 100 RBI’s, and a good sense of spirit. He was very good, flashy, and a great fan favorite. Murphy was always underappreciated during his time, which may be hard to believe considering the fact that he’s won two MVP Awards, but he really hasn’t gotten the voter support that I think he’s earned. Dale Murphy started his career with the Atlanta Braves in 1976, batting .262 in 19 games. Murphy started out as a catcher, but throwing problems landed him at first base in 1978 and eventually into the outfield. He batted .316 in another short stint in 1977 and was a regular by 1978 with 23 home runs and 79 RBI’s. Murphy topped 20 home runs again in 1979 and was first an all-star in 1980 with 33 homers. He slumped a little in 1981 (the strike year) but came back strong in 1982 and 1983, winning the NL MVP Award and leading the league in RBI’s in each season. In the following two seasons he also topped the NL in homers. From 1982 through 1987 Murphy played in 740 consecutive games (967 overall) and hit 218 longballs, averaging 36 per season. During that span he also batted .300 or better twice and had another season in which he batted .295. Murphy hit his declining stage in 1988, and from 1988-1990 an average season saw him bat .233 with 23 homers. He did better in 1991, hitting .252 with some power for the Phillies, but at the age of 36 he was finished after that. He retired in 1993 with the Colorado Rockies. Dale Murphy was a complete player with power, patience, speed (he became a member of the 30-30 club in 1983 with 36 homers and 30 stolen bases), and fine defensive work. For his many important skills and impressive numbers, I truly believe that Dale Murphy belongs in the Hall of Fame. 

LIFETIME STATISTICS 

Games career: 2,180 season high: 162 in 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985 led NL: 162 in 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985 

At Bats career: 7,960 season high: 616 in 1985 

Hits career: 2,111 season high: 185 in 1985 

Doubles career: 350 season high: 35 in 1988 

Triples career: 39 season high: 8 in 1984 

Home Runs career: 398 season high: 44 in 1987 led NL: 36 in 1984, 37 in 1985 

Runs career: 1,197 season high: 131 in 1983 led NL: 118 in 1985 

Runs Batted In career: 1,266 season high: 121 in 1983 led NL: 109 in 1982, 121 in 1983 

Stolen Bases career: 161 season high: 30 in 1983 

Walks career: 986 season high: 115 in 1987 led NL: 90 in 1985 

Strikeouts career: 1,748 season high: 145 in 1978 led NL: 145 in 1978, 133 in 1980, 141 in 1985 

Batting Average career: .265 season high: .302 in 1983 

On Base Percentage career: .346 season high: .417 in 1987 

Slugging Percentage career: .469 season high: .547 in 1984 led NL: .540 in 1983, .547 in 1984 

Total Bases career: 3,733 season high: 332 in 1984 and 1985 led NL: 332 in 1984 

Sacrifice Hits career: 6 season high: 3 in 1978 

Fielding Percentage career: .982 season high: .992 in 1988 

Double Plays career: 172 season high: 84 in 1978 led NL CF: 4 in 1981 and 1985 

Putouts career: 6,319 season high: 1,220 in 1978 led NL RF: 327 in 1987, 339 in 1988 

Assists career: 300 season high: 105 in 1978 led NL CF: 10 in 1984 

DID YOU KNOW? 

-nicknamed “The Murph” 

-from 1981 through 1990, he led the MLB in both home runs and RBI’s 

-hit two home runs on June 12, 1983 at the request of an ill child’s nurse 

-won the 1985 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award and the 1988 Roberto Clemente Award 

-went 2-for-4 with 2 RBI’s on his MLB debut 

-was a seven time all-star and a four time Silver Slugger 

-also finished seventh in the NL MVP Award voting in 1985, ninth in 1984, 11th in 1987, 12th in 1980, and 21st in 1986 

-hit three home runs in one game on May 18, 1979 

-batted .273 with a stolen base in the 1982 NLCS 

-won six career Player of the Month awards and four Player of the Week awards 

-led the NL in games in the outfield six times and in OPS, plate appearances, extra-base hits, times on base, and intentional walks each once 

-led NL rightfielders in games in 1987 (159), 1988 (156), and 1990 (150) 

-won the 1987 Sportsman of the Year Award 

-was inducted into the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame in 2013 his number 3 is retired by the team 

-was inducted into both the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame and the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1997