Dale Murphy
Two-time NL MVP and five-time Gold Glove center fielder for the Atlanta Braves.
Dale Bryan Murphy (born March 12, 1956) is an American former outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) who played for three National League (NL) teams, mainly the Atlanta Braves. A seven-time All-Star, he led the NL in home runs, runs batted in and slugging percentage twice each. He was named the NL's Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1982 after leading the Braves to their first division title in 13 years, topping the league with 109 RBI. He was again named the MVP in 1983 after batting .302 with a career-high 121 RBI, and becoming only the sixth player in history with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in a season.
- Role
- Outfielder
- Affiliation
- Philadelphia Phillies (1989–1990)
- Status
- Hall of Fame Nominee / Franchise Icon
- Awards
- 2x NL MVP, 7x All-Star
- Key Achievement
- Led NL in Home Runs and RBI during his MVP seasons
- Legacy
- One of the greatest switch-hitters of his generation
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. He won five consecutive Gold Glove Awards as a center fielder. Murphy's 398 career home runs ranked sixth in NL history among right-handed hitters when he retired, and his 202 home runs as a center fielder ranked ninth in major league history. His 371 home runs with the Braves remain the Atlanta record for a right-handed hitter. In 1994, he became the fifth player to have his uniform number retired by the Braves.
In Their Own Story
The late afternoon sun bathed Veterans Stadium in a golden hue as Dale Murphy stepped into the batter's box. The crowd, a sea of blue and red, fell silent in anticipation. He adjusted his batting gloves, the familiar weight of the bat feeling like an extension of his arm. With a smooth, rhythmic swing that defied the violence of the impact, he connected perfectly with a fastball. The ball soared high into the right-field sky, a majestic arc against the twilight, before disappearing over the fence—a moment of pure magic that echoed through the stands.
Reader's Guide
Murphy began his major league career in 1976 with the Atlanta Braves. He switched to the outfield in 1980. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies on August 3, 1990. With the Phillies, he batted .252 in 1991 and had a degenerative knee condition. He played only 18 games in 1992 for the Phillies and was released in 1993 spring training. He also played for the Colorado Rockies before retiring.
Did You Know?
- Murphy won back-to-back NL MVP awards in 1982 and 1983, both with the Atlanta Braves.
- He is one of only six players in MLB history to have a 30–30 season (30 home runs and 30 stolen bases) at the time he achieved it in 1983.
- Murphy's 308 home runs in the 1980s were the second most in MLB that decade, trailing only Mike Schmidt.
- He played in 740 consecutive games from 1981 to 1986, then the sixth-longest streak in NL history.
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