Dale Murphy and the HoF

I do. I live in a motel.

 

The days of the Vets Committee taking care of their friends are over.

 

True story: Bob Horner used to babysit me when I was young. He knew of my love of sports when I was 7, and cutting out ASU box scores to put in my scrapbook. Much later, Bob tried to facilitate a conversation between me and Dale Murphy. He wanted nothing to do with it -- not only did he believe women should not be covering sports (presumably men's sports, but I don't know), he didn't think they belonged around the game working for teams or in a medical capacity. I assume he thought it OK if they were fans, but not sure on that either.
I often wonder how Murphy's daughters turned out. Did they rebel against his thinking? Do they work outside of the home? Lord, I hope one became a sports journalist, or at least a doctor who operates on men and tries very hard not to look at their junk. :

 

I wonder what he'd think of the Women in Baseball exhibit at Cooperstown?
I'm a great believer in people changing and evolving. I sure hope Murphy has. But yes, if his numbers were better and he had a few more great years, he'd get my vote.

 

If you made him a nice bundt cake and brought him his slippers, you and him would be cool.

 

Especially is she was with child and was barefoot.

 

Those were great days at old Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. Loved the sound of a thrown ball hitting a bat. CAAAAARRRRRRAAAACCCCKKKKK!!!!!!!!

 

Surprised no one's mentioned his fame being further spread by WTBS, because Murphy and Horner (when he was healthy) were the only reasons to watch the Braves in those days. Steroids weren't the factor then they are now, so that question is moot. Still, it's the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of Really Good ... line forms behind the Podunk High JV, Mfr. Murphy.

 

Dale Murphy is example No. 58,595 of confusion surrounding just what membership requirements to the baseball HOF should be. If they are solely stats-based, particularly career-stat based, then maybe a computer should pick the members.

I think the Hall of Fame should blend stats with, for lack of a better descriptor, impact. Which, IMO, puts Dale Murphy in the Hall of Fame. It might be hard to believe for Midwesterners, Yankees, Californians and the like to comprehend, but for nearly a decade one man was the embodiment of baseball for about a quarter of the country. Without Dale Murphy, interest in Major League Baseball in the South would have been negligible.

And for that, the two-time MVP belongs in the Hall of Fame.