Bio
Stats
Awards
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.
In 2005, Dale founded the I Won't Cheat Foundation to promote integrity and character development among the youth of America. Originally created in an effort to educate kids about the dangers of steroids, I Won't Cheat has evolved into a program with an even wider focus which teaches kids to play fair in sports and in life. In an effort to further this message, Little League places an I Won't Cheat patch on the sleeve of every player's uniform during the Little League World Series. From Nike to Disney, countless corporations have voiced their support of I Won't Cheat and the motto they promote: "Character Matters Most."
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 three grandsons.
Career Batting Stats
Career Fielding Stats
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Awards
- 1974All-City, All-State, & Most Valuable Player in district (Wilson HS, Portland, OR)
- 19745th overall pick in the 1974 Major League Draft, selected by the Atlanta Braves
- 1977International League rookie of the year (Richmond Braves)
- 19771st Major League career home run on 9/15/77 (398 Total)
- 19786 home runs in 6 consecutive games
- 19781st career grand slam on 6/5/78 (5 Total)
- 19782nd career grand slam (7/2/78)
- 19796th Braves player to hit 3 home runs in one game (5/18/79)
- 19801st NL Player of the Month Award (6 Total record)
- 19802nd NL Player of the Month Award
- 19801st NL All-Star selection (7 Total)
- 19803rd career grand slam (8/17/80)
- 19822nd NL All-Star selection
- 19821st Associated Press All-Star selection
- 19821st Sporting News All-Star selection
- 19821st NL Gold Glove Award
- 19821st NL Most Valuable Player Award (2 Total)
- 19821st Sporting News Player of the Year Award
- 19821st NL Silver Slugger Award (4 Total)
- 1982Member of the 20/20 club (20 home runs & 20 stolen bases)
- 19823rd Braves player to appear in all 162 regular season games
- 19833rd NL All-Star selection
- 19831st Associated Press All-Star selection
- 19832nd Sporting News All-Star selection
- 19831st UPI All-Star selection
- 19832nd NL Gold Glove Award
- 19832nd NL MVP Award (youngest player in history to win a consecutive MVP)
- 19833rd NL Player of the Month Award
- 19832nd NL Silver Slugger Award
- 19832nd Sporting News Player of the Year Award
- 1983Atlanta Braves record for most runs in a season (131)
- 19833rd player in history to join the 30/30/.300 club (30 HR's, 30 steals, .300 BA)
- 19834th NL player in history to join the 30/30 club (30+ home runs & 30+ stolen bases)
- 1983Atlanta Braves record for most walks in a game (5)
- 19833rd Braves player in history to appear in all 162 games (2nd consecutive year)
- 19844th NL All-Star selection
- 19843rd Associated Press All-Star selection
- 19843rd Sporting News All-Star selection
- 19842nd UPI All-Star selection
- 19843rd NL Gold Glove Award
- 19844th NL Player of the Month Award
- 19843rd NL Silver Slugger Award
- 1984NL Mel Ott Award, Home Run Champion
- 19843rd Braves player in history to appear in all 162 games (3rd consecutive year)
- 1985Lou Gehrig Memorial Award
- 1985Gillette Trophy Award for most All-Star votes (1.4mm votes)
- 1985Shares all-time record for fewest double plays hit into in 150+ game season (0)
- 1985Shares all-time record for most RBI in the month of April (29)
- 19854th NL All-Star selection
- 19854th Sporting News All-Star selection
- 19855th NL Gold Glove Award
- 19855th NL Player of the Month Award
- 19854th NL Silver Slugger Award
- 1985NL Mel Ott Award, Home Run Champion
- 19853rd Braves player in history to appear in all 162 games (4th consecutive year)
- 1985NL Most Feared Hitter - MLB Pitcher Survey (Sporting News)
- 198612th all-time for consecutive games played (740)
- 19866th NL All-Star selection
- 19865th NL Gold Glove Award
- 19866th (record) NL Player of the Month Award
- 19874th career grand slam (7/9/87)
- 19877th NL All-Star selection
- 1987Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year ("MLB athlete who cares the most")
- 1987Ties own Atlanta Braves record for most walks in a game (5)
- 1987The Atlanta Chapter Baseball Writers Association Award
- 1987Braves record for most intentional walks in a season (29)
- 1988Roberto Clemente Man of the Year Award
- 1989Shares Atlanta Braves record for most home runs in an inning (2)
- 1989Shares Atlanta Braves record for most RBI in an inning (6 RBI)
- 1990Most home runs hit in Atlanta Fulton County Stadium by a single player (205)
- 19915th career grand slam (8/9/91)
- 1991Bart Giamatti Community Service Award
- 1993Ended career having hit a home run against every NL team
- 1993Ended career 27th all-time home run list and 4th among active players
- 1993Ranked 17th all-time in strikeouts (1,748)
- 19945th Brave to have uniform number (#3) retired
- 1995Inducted into the Little League Hall of Excellence
- 1995Threw honorary first pitch before Game 3 of the 1995 NL Championship Series
- 1995World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame
- 1997Inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall Of Fame
- 1997Inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall Of Fame
- 2000Inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame
- 2000Named as NL Honorary Captain for the All-Star Game
- 2000Sporting News' 49th Greatest Slugger of all-time