Dale Murphy

Lore & Background

Murphy played in 740 consecutive games from 1981 to 1986, then the sixth-longest streak in NL history. His 308 home runs in the 1980s were the second most by any major league player, behind only Mike Schmidt, and his 929 RBI in the decade tied him with Schmidt for the most in the NL. His 99 assists and 21 double plays in the 1980s topped all NL outfielders. Murphy's 371 home runs with the Braves are the second-most by a right-handed hitter in Atlanta history, behind Chipper Jones (468), and he set Atlanta records for career games, at bats, hits, RBI, runs, doubles, walks and total bases, all later broken by Chipper Jones. In 1994, he became the fifth player to have his uniform number retired by the Braves.

In Their Own Story

The sun beat down on the warning track at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in July 1982. Murphy adjusted his batting gloves, the familiar weight of the wood in his hands grounding him. The crowd hummed a low, expectant noise as he stepped into the box. He waited for the pitch, poised and powerful, ready to deliver another moment that would etch his name deeper into the brick walls of Braves history.

Reader's Guide

Murphy began his major league career in 1976 as a catcher. He switched to first base in 1978, then moved to the outfield in 1980, eventually settling in center field. He won his first MVP in 1982 after leading the Braves to their first division title in 13 years, topping the league with 109 RBI. In 1983 he became only the sixth player in history with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in a season. His only postseason appearance was in 1982, when the Braves were swept by the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series.

Did You Know?

• Murphy led the NL in home runs, runs batted in and slugging percentage twice each.
• He played in 740 consecutive games from 1981 to 1986, then the sixth-longest streak in NL history.
• His 308 home runs in the 1980s were the second most by any major league player, behind Mike Schmidt.
• Murphy won five consecutive Gold Glove Awards as a center fielder.
• He was inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame in 1995, and the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame and Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1997.