Dale Murphy

Dale Bryan Murphy (March 12, 1956-) became the youngest National League player to win back-to-back Most Valuable Player Awards after leading the NL in RBI in 1982 and 1983. He also earned his first of four Silver Sluggers Awards and first of five NL Gold Gloves. The Atlanta Braves took Dale with the fifth overall pick of the 1975 MLB June Amateur Draft and he debuted as a catcher two seasons later. After being moved to the outfield in 1980, Murphy developed into one of the premier outfielders with an exceptional glove and above average bat. Extremely durable, Dale missed only 27 games from 1982 to 1990. He led the NL in games played four times, home runs, RBI and slugging percentage twice and once in plate appearances, runs, walks and on-base percentage. Murphy played 18 years in the Majors with the Braves (1976-1990), the Philadelphia Phillies (1990-1992) and the Colorado Rockies (1993). The seven-time All-Star earned the 1985 Lou Gehrig Memorial Award as “the player who best exemplifies the character and integrity (of Gehrig) both on and off the field” and then was named the 1988 Roberto Clemente Award as “the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and individual’s contribution to the team.” Dale Murphy finished his career with a .265 career batting average, 2,111 hits including 350 doubles and 398 home runs, 1,197 runs scored, 161 stolen bases and 1,266 RBI. He also posted a .982 fielding percentage over his 18-year career.