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Married to wife, Nancy, for 40 years; 8 children and 18 grandchildren; 19 year MLB career. Great husband and father. Great ball player. Great guy.

ABOUT MURPH:

For 30+ years, Dale has traveled the country speaking to businesses and a variety of other groups, inspiring them with his messages about Major League Leadership Skills, Facing Challenge to Create a Thriving Culture, Taking Risks and Fighting Indecision, and much more. Murph will work with your group to create the perfect presentation for your specific needs. His warm and engaging personality along with stories of his own personal experiences will make his visit to your group a day they will long remember.

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

1970s

  • 1974 – All-City, All-State, & Most Valuable Player in district (Wilson HS, Portland, OR)
  • 1974 – 5th overall pick in the 1974 Major League Draft, selected by the Atlanta Braves
  • 1977 – International League rookie of the year (Richmond Braves)
  • 1977 – 1st Major League career home run on 9/15/77 (398 Total)
  • 1978 – 6 home runs in 6 consecutive games
  • 1978 – 1st career grand slam on 6/5/78 (5 Total)
  • 1978 – 2nd career grand slam (7/2/78)
  • 1979 – 6th Braves player to hit 3 home runs in one game (5/18/79)

1980-1982

  • 1980 – 1st NL Player of the Month Award (6 Total record)
  • 1980 – 2nd NL Player of the Month Award
  • 1980 – 1st NL All-Star selection (7 Total)
  • 1980 – 3rd career grand slam (8/17/80)
  • 1982 – 2nd NL All-Star selection
  • 1982 – 1st Associated Press All-Star selection
  • 1982 – 1st Sporting News All-Star selection
  • 1982 – 1st NL Gold Glove Award
  • 1982 – 1st NL Most Valuable Player Award (2 Total)
  • 1982 – 1st Sporting News Player of the Year Award
  • 1982 – 1st NL Silver Slugger Award (4 Total)
  • 1982 – Member of the 20/20 club (20 home runs & 20 stolen bases)
  • 1982 – 3rd Braves player to appear in all 162 regular season games

1983

  • 1983 – 3rd NL All-Star selection
  • 1983 – 1st Associated Press All-Star selection
  • 1983 – 2nd Sporting News All-Star selection
  • 1983 – 1st UPI All-Star selection
  • 1983 – 2nd NL Gold Glove Award
  • 1983 – 2nd NL MVP Award (youngest player in history to win a consecutive MVP)
  • 1983 – 3rd NL Player of the Month Award
  • 1983 – 2nd NL Silver Slugger Award
  • 1983 – 2nd Sporting News Player of the Year Award
  • 1983 – Atlanta Braves record for most runs in a season (131)
  • 1983 – 3rd player in history to join the 30/30/.300 club (30 HR’s, 30 steals, .300 BA)
  • 1983 – 4th NL player in history to join the 30/30 club (30+ home runs & 30+ stolen bases)
  • 1983 – Atlanta Braves record for most walks in a game (5)
  • 1983 – 3rd Braves player in history to appear in all 162 games (2nd consecutive year)

1984

  • 1984 – 4th NL All-Star selection
  • 1984 – 3rd Associated Press All-Star selection
  • 1984 – 3rd Sporting News All-Star selection
  • 1984 – 2nd UPI All-Star selection
  • 1984 – 3rd NL Gold Glove Award
  • 1984 – 4th NL Player of the Month Award
  • 1984 – 3rd NL Silver Slugger Award
  • 1984 – NL Mel Ott Award, Home Run Champion
  • 1984 – 3rd Braves player in history to appear in all 162 games (3rd consecutive year)

1985

  • 1985 – Lou Gehrig Memorial Award

  • 1985 – Gillette Trophy Award for most All-Star votes (1.4mm votes)

  • 1985 – Shares all-time record for fewest double plays hit into in 150+ game season (0)

  • 1985 – Shares all-time record for most RBI in the month of April (29)

  • 1985 – 4th NL All-Star selection

  • 1985 – 4th Sporting News All-Star selection

  • 1985 – 5th NL Gold Glove Award

  • 1985 – 5th NL Player of the Month Award

  • 1985 – 4th NL Silver Slugger Award

  • 1985 – NL Mel Ott Award, Home Run Champion

  • 1985 – 3rd Braves player in history to appear in all 162 games (4th consecutive year)

  • 1985 – NL Most Feared Hitter – MLB Pitcher Survey (Sporting News)

1986 – 1991

  • 1986 – 12th all-time for consecutive games played (740)

  • 1986 – 6th NL All-Star selection

  • 1986 – 5th NL Gold Glove Award

  • 1986 – 6th (record) NL Player of the Month Award

  • 1987 – 4th career grand slam (7/9/87)

  • 1987 – 7th NL All-Star selection

  • 1987 – Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year (“MLB athlete who cares the most”)

  • 1987 – Ties own Atlanta Braves record for most walks in a game (5)

  • 1987 – The Atlanta Chapter Baseball Writers Association Award

  • 1987 – Braves record for most intentional walks in a season (29)

  • 1988 – Roberto Clemente Man of the Year Award

  • 1989 – Shares Atlanta Braves record for most home runs in an inning (2)

  • 1989 – Shares Atlanta Braves record for most RBI in an inning (6 RBI)

  • 1990 – Most home runs hit in Atlanta Fulton County Stadium by a single player (205)

  • 1991 – 15th career grand slam (8/9/91)

  • 1991 – Bart Giamatti Community Service Award

1993 – 2000

  • 1993 – Ended career having hit a home run against every NL team

  • 1993 – Ended career 27th all-time home run list and 4th among active players

  • 1993 – Ranked 17th all-time in strikeouts (1,748)

  • 1994 – 5th Brave to have uniform number (#3) retired

  • 1995 – Inducted into the Little League Hall of Excellence

  • 1995 – Threw honorary first pitch before Game 3 of the 1995 NL Championship Series

  • 1995 – World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame

  • 1997 – Inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall Of Fame

  • 1997 – Inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall Of Fame

  • 2000 – Inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame

  • 2000 – Named as NL Honorary Captain for the All-Star Game

  • 2000 – Sporting News’ 49th Greatest Slugger of all-time

ON THE FIELD

Dale Murphy was chosen by the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the 1974 Major League Draft. Over the next few years, he worked his way through the Braves minor league system and made his major league debut in 1976.

Although he began his career as a catcher, he spent a short time at first base and finally ended up in the outfield where he became the youngest player in history to win back-to-back MVP awards (1982 and 1983), was named to the National League All-Star team seven times, earned four Silver Slugger awards and five Gold Gloves. During his 1983 MVP season, he became the only player in history to compile a .300+ batting average, 30+ home runs, 120+ runs batted in, 130+ runs scored, 90+ bases on balls, and 30+ stolen bases in one season. During the decade spanning 1981-1990, he led the major leagues in home runs and RBIs. He also led the National League in games, at bats, runs, hits, extra base hits, runs created, total bases, and plate appearances during that same period of time. With 7,960 at-bats, he retired in 1993 after a long and successful career with the Atlanta Braves (1974-1991), the Philadelphia Phillies (1991-1993), and the Colorado Rockies (1993.)

Dale was one of the most beloved athletes to ever play in Atlanta. His number (#3) was only the fifth in Braves history to be retired joining those of baseball greats Hank Aaron, Eddie Matthews, Warran Spahn, and Phil Niekro and hangs today in Turner Field.

OFF THE FIELD

Known as one of the true gentlemen of the game, Dale has always led by example, giving his time and lending his name to numerous charities throughout the years. In 1987, he was named by Sports Illustrated as one of the “Sportsmen and Sportswomen of the Year,” representing baseball as the athlete “Who Cares the Most” and was honored as such by President Ronald Reagan at the White House.

Dale received other humanitarian-related awards during his career including The Lou Gehrig Award (given to the player who best fits the image and character of Lou Gehrig on and off the field), The Roberto Clemente Award (given annually to one major league player in recognition of his character and charitable contributions) and the Bart Giamatti Award. After his retirement, Dale was inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame.

Dale has also written two books: “The Scouting Report: Professional Athletics” and “The Scouting Report: Youth Athletics”

Dale is a sought after business and motivational speaker and divides his time between charity work, church work, and his family. He and his wife, Nancy, are the parents of eight children (seven sons and one daughter) and nine grandchildren.

CAREER STATS

Batting

CAREER STATS

Fielding

I'd say he is probably the best all-around player in either league, probably the most valuable player in baseball right now.

Hank Aaron1982

Dale may be the only guy I know who could call 24 guys in one locker room a good friend.

Don Sutton

I can't imagine Joe DiMaggio was a better all around player than Dale Murphy.

Nolan Ryan

These days, anytime one of my pitchers keeps Murphy in the ballpark, I pat 'em on the fanny.

Pete Rose

You can put him in a class with a Mays and an Aaron because he can beat you with his glove, and he can beat you with a home run.

Joe Torre