Tom Murphy Signed by Team USA for Series against Japan
Published on July 2, 2011 under New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)
Valley Blue Sox News Release
Holyoke - The next few games when the Blue Sox take the field there will be a difference in the starting lineup - the absence of catcher and designated hitter Tom Murphy.
Murphy will not be with the team not due to injury, but rather in light of his recent signing with the Team USA Collegiate National Squad for the upcoming series against Team Japan which runs Sunday through Friday, with the final game being played at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb.
This signing comes only a few days following an impressive performance by Murphy in the Team NECBL vs. Team USA game in Fenway Park, in which he went 1-for-2 with his lone hit being a towering home run into the seats of the Green Monster.
The summer has already given him so much, Murphy said in a telephone interview, and he is blessed to be getting the opportunity that's been put in front of him.
"It's something you watch on TV your whole life, but never imagine experiencing it yourself," he said. "There's only 30 kids in the country that get to represent their country the way I'm about to right now. Just looking to do the best I can for them."
The first four games of the five-game series will be played in North Carolina with stops including Durham, Cary and Kannapolis before taking a day to travel to the home of the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.
This kind of recognition for Murphy's hard work comes to no surprise to Blue Sox General Manager Kirk Fredriksson as he said Murphy is a special player because of his work ethic and determination.
"He's earned everything that's come his way," he said. "He's one of the hardest working guys ... You go to a school like Buffalo, not exactly the first school that rolls off your tongue when your talking about baseball across the country.
"Tom can play anywhere and he's proven that, and now he's gonna get to the chance to play on a big stage in front of a lot of people that have never seen him play before. For him I don't think he's ever going to forget the summer he went to Holyoke."
Murphy has been doing well with the Blue Sox this season, playing in almost every game, batting .264 with six doubles and one triple so far, and Murphy said he knew he could succeed in the NECBL, but could never have imagined playing for Team USA.
"I came here with a lot of confidence knowing I could do well in this league and everything," he said, "But to play for Team USA, I never dreamed that would happen. Like I said it's a dream come true."
New England Collegiate Baseball League Stories from July 2, 2011
- Westerners Road Trip - Roll Over North Adams - Danbury Westerners
- Evan Scott Dazzles Mountaineers as Holyoke Wins 2-1 - Vermont Mountaineers
- Blue Sox Defeat Vermont 2-1 - Valley Blue Sox
- May's solo blast in seventh inning lifts Keene over Mystic, 1-0 - Keene Swamp Bats
- May's solo blast in seventh inning lifts Keene over Mystic, 1-0 - Keene Swamp Bats
- Team USA Tours through NECBL - NECBL
- Tom Murphy Signed by Team USA for Series against Japan - Valley Blue Sox
- Blue Sox Fall to Steeple Cats in Extra Innings, 7-6 - Valley Blue Sox
- SteepleCats Come Back in Holyoke - North Adams SteepleCats
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