Former Atlanta Braves Dale Murphy Speaks in Birmingham

BIRMINGHAM - Former Atlanta Braves outfielder Dale Murphy spoke at a high school recently, ending his presentation by asking, "Are there any questions?" One hand went up, and then came the question: "What was your name again?"

Twenty-five years ago, that question was unnecessary. Murphy was one of the most popular players in major league baseball from 1976 until retiring in 1993. His most productive years were in the 1980s, when he led the major leagues in home runs, RBIs, and total bases.

He finished his career with 398 career home runs, 1,266 RBIs, and back-to-back MVP awards in 1982 and 1983. Although never inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame, Murphy was such a legend in Atlanta that the Braves retired his #3 uniform in 1994.

Fans of the era still remember him well. That's one reason he was the speaker Thursday night, January 29, at the annual banquet of the American Baseball Foundation in Birmingham. Murphy used the appearance to review his major league career, to provide encouragement to young players, and to pitch his charity work with the "iWontCheat" Foundation.

Drafted out of high school in Portland, Oregon, Murphy started his professional career in the minor leagues at Kingston, Tenn. in 1973. He quickly got homesick, considered quitting, but decided to stay with the team. "I liked their grits, so I decided to remain."

He credited those years in the minor leagues, where "everybody was good," with making him a good player in the major leagues. Most minor leaguers don't make it in the majors, even if they have major-league talent. "It was all about how they handled slumps," Murphy said. "The key to being able to stay in the game was that you've got to handle some slumps. You're going to strike out sometimes."

He made the majors with the Braves in an end-of-the-season call-up in September 1976. He remained with the Braves until 1990, when he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in mid-season. He finished his career with the Colorado Rockies in 1993 before retiring.

He retired to Utah, where - as a practicing Mormon - he was close to the religious center of his church. Still, baseball remains a part of his life. "The more I get away from the game, the more I appreciate it," he said.

He recalled that his own baseball career started inauspiciously. He started playing on an organized team at the age of eight, but only got one hit during that season. Even that hit, he said, was questionable, because "My father was the scorekeeper."

He kept playing anyway. "I just had fun playing," and never felt pressure from his parents. He tries to keep the same low-pressure approach toward his own children.

That could be a demanding job. Murphy has eight kids. "I know their names, but don't ask me their birthdays," he said. "When I have to fill out their Little League forms, I just guess."

His kids don't share his passion for baseball. One son, who played the game well, noted that his favorite position was "benchwarmer" - he enjoyed sitting on the bench and talking with his friends more than playing the game in the field. "I may be good at it," he told his father, "but I don't like it."

That incident fuels one of his passions - encouraging kids to have fun with the game. "I believe every young athlete can have a good experience at playing the game," he said. "It's up to us as parents and coaches to make sure they do."

Children need the sports experience, regardless of their talent level, he added, because "when kids quit sports, they quit exercising."

Murphy's "iWontCheat" Foundation was established in 2007 with the motto of 'Injecting ethics into America's future." The organization started as effort to help steer kids away from performance enhancing drug focus, but has since expanded its purpose to academic cheating and other issues of character.

"Our message is about being honest on and off the field," he said. "Cheating in sports is wrong, and so is cheating in the classroom and in life."

Murphy praised two of his major league managers, Bobby Cox and Joe Torre. "Bobby Cox is responsible for me being in the big leagues," Murphy said.

Murphy's attempt at breaking into the majors as a catcher was foiled by throwing problems. The Braves tried him at first base, but he led the league in errors as a first baseman. "And that's hard to do," he said.

He finally found success when Cox moved him to the outfield, where Murphy won five consecutive Gold Gloves.

Murphy recalled that Torre was his manager with the Braves from 1982 to 1984. "Those were the best three years of my career," Murphy said.

Murphy added that both men where also great people. "At the highest level of professional athleticism, these people treat you with respect and give you a chance."

Murphy said his best moment on the field came in 1982 when then Braves made their only appearance in the playoffs during his tenure. Atlanta was eliminated in the first round by the St. Louis Cardinals.

His most memorable game, however, was an embarrassing one. That came against the Montreal Expos in Olympic Stadium. He friend, fellow Mormon, and Expos third baseman Vance Law hit a long fly to right field.

Murphy lost sight of the ball, closed his eyes, and shielded his head with his glove - a scene that appeared as a photo in the Montreal paper the next day. Meanwhile, the ball dropped 20 feet behind him.

Law circled the bases with the only inside-the-park home run of his career. That prompted on Braves teammate to describe the play as "the worst case of a Mormon-helping-Mormon that I've ever seen."

Maybe. But on and off the field, Dale Murphy has a record of helping people.

References

iWontCheat.com