PCL1 Nashville Sounds

Dale Murphy To Appear At Greer Stadium On May 18

Published on May 11, 2010 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Nashville Sounds News Release


NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Former Atlanta Braves star outfielder and two-time MVP Dale Murphy will throw out the first pitch at historic Greer Stadium on Tuesday, May 18th, when the Nashville Sounds host the Portland Beavers at 7:05 p.m.

Earlier in the day, Murphy will be the guest speaker at the Nashville Sounds Kick-Off Luncheon in MetroCenter. The event is part of the Comcast Spotlight Sports Speaker Series presented by the Nashville Sports Council.

The luncheon, which will also feature the entire 2010 Sounds team and coaching staff, will be held at the Millennium Maxwell House (2025 Rosa L Parks Blvd., Nashville, TN 37228) from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tickets for the event are $35 and may be purchased by calling the Nashville Sports Council's offices at 615-743-3131.

Murphy, whose big-league career spanned 2180 games from 1976-1993, became the 4th National Leaguer to win the Most Valuable Player award in back-to-back seasons, a feat he accomplished in the 1982 & 1983 campaigns. An embodiment of the All-American athlete, Dale Murphy was a shining star for Atlanta clubs, both pennant contenders and cellar-dwellers. He finished his career with a .265 average, 398 home runs, and 1,266 runs batted in. The seven-time All-Star led the National League in homers in 1984 & 1985 and paced the circuit in RBI on four occasions.

Murphy reached stardom in 1982, leading the Braves to a pennant with Gold Glove defense and All-Star offense and became the first Atlanta player since Hank Aaron in 1957 to win an MVP award. The following year, Murphy became the youngest of the four players in National League history to win back-to-back MVP awards.

As the Braves drifted from contention, he continued his superb play. He was the top vote-getter for the 1985 All-Star Game. Murphy was recognized as the 1987 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year and as The Sporting News' N.L. Player of the Year in 1982 & 1983. He was named to TSN's "50 Greatest Sluggers" list in 2000.

He was also recognized throughout the baseball community for his contributions away from the playing field. Dale was the 1988 recipient of the Roberto Clemente Man of the Year Award, given to the major league baseball player who balances outstanding skills on the baseball field with civic responsibility, and was the 1985 winner of the Lou Gehrig Award, which is presented annually to the major league player who both on and off the field best exemplifies the character of Lou Gehrig.

Murphy was in Atlanta's Opening Day lineup each year from 1978 to 1988 and played more games than any other Atlanta Brave. From September 27, 1981 to July 9, 1986, Murphy played 740 consecutive games, one of the longest streaks in baseball history. A complete player, Murphy won five straight Gold Glove awards and joined the elite 30-homer, 30-stolen-bases club in 1983.

Murphy later played for the Philadelphia Phillies and Colorado Rockies, but his productivity was hampered by a knee injury that forced him to retire mid-way through the 1993 season. The Braves honored Murphy, who holds 13 franchise records, by retiring his number 3 during the 1994 season.

Known as one of the true gentlemen of the game, Dale continues to lead by example, supportning numerous worthwhile charities. He travels the country speaking on behalf of his foundation--"I Won't Cheat"-- educating kids about the dangers of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. Visit his website at www.dalemurphy3.com.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 11, 2010


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