Dale Murphy was a professional baseball player who played for the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies during his career. He was born on March 12, 1956, in Portland, Oregon, and grew up playing baseball with his brothers. Murphy was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 1974 and made his major league debut in 1976.

Murphy quickly became a star player for the Braves, earning two National League MVP awards in 1982 and 1983. He was known for his powerful hitting and his ability to play multiple positions, including catcher, first base, and outfield. Murphy was also a skilled fielder, winning five Gold Glove awards during his career.

In addition to his individual accomplishments, Murphy was a key player on the Braves teams of the 1980s. He helped lead the team to the playoffs in 1982, 1983, and 1991, and was a fan favorite in Atlanta. Murphy was known for his work ethic and his dedication to the game, and he was respected by his teammates and opponents alike.

After leaving the Braves in 1990, Murphy played for the Philadelphia Phillies for two seasons before retiring in 1993. He finished his career with 398 home runs, 1,266 RBIs, and a .265 batting average. Murphy was inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

Off the field, Murphy has been involved in a number of charitable organizations and has been recognized for his humanitarian work. He has also worked as a broadcaster and analyst for various sports networks, including ESPN and Fox Sports.

Overall, Dale Murphy was one of the most talented and respected players of his era. He was a leader on and off the field, and his contributions to the game of baseball will be remembered for years to come.

⚾

Related Content

Stories, Photos, Videos, Podcasts, and Publications featuring Dale Murphy Biography
F i l t e r   &   S o r t 
1983 Home Run Derby Simulation • Schmidt - Rice - Armas - Murphy video clip
Atlanta Braves vs San Francisco Giants - Radio Broadcast video clip
Atlanta Braves and the San Francisco Giants faced off at Candlestick Park. The Braves sent Jim Bouton to the mound, an experienced right-hander who had a unique career trajectory, transitioning from a successful starter to a knuckleball reliever after a series of arm troubles. The Giants countered with Ed Halicki, a towering 6'7" right-hander known for his no-hitter in 1975. At this point in the season, the Braves were in the middle of the pack in the National League West, while the Giants were struggling to keep pace. The 1978 season was marked by the Yankees and Dodgers' fierce competition, each leading their respective leagues, while Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds was in pursuit of Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak record. The game got off to a slow start, with the Braves scoring an unearned run in the second inning due to errors by Halicki and John Tamargo. The Giants responded with a run of their own in the third, capitalizing on an error by Bouton. The Braves' Dale Murphy, who would later become a two-time MVP, made an impact on the base paths by stealing second base and later scoring due to the Giants' errors. In the sixth inning, the Giants threatened to score with a runner on second, but Bouton managed to get out of the jam, maintaining the slim lead. The Braves broke the game open in the seventh inning, scoring two more runs thanks to key hits from Glenn Hubbard and Jerry Royster. The Giants, however, struggled to generate offense against the Braves' pitching. After Bouton's solid six innings of work, Craig Skok and Gene Garber held the Giants hitless over the final three innings. The Braves added an insurance run in the eighth, securing a 4-1 victory. The win improved the Braves' standing in the NL West, although they would ultimately finish the season in the middle of the pack. The Giants, meanwhile, continued to struggle, ending the year near the bottom of the division. The 1978 season would conclude with the New York Yankees defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. The Braves' Dale Murphy, despite his team's middling performance, began to show signs of the player he would become in the 1980s, one of the most dominant in the National League. This game, while not a highlight of the season, was a good representation of the Braves' potential and the Giants' struggles in the 1978 season.