Dale Murphy

Dale Murphy – Life, Career, and Inspiring Quotes

Dale Murphy biography, life and career of Dale Murphy, athlete quotes by Dale Murphy, his achievements, legacy, and lessons from his life.

Introduction

Dale Bryan Murphy (born March 12, 1956) is a former American professional baseball player widely celebrated for his on-field excellence, integrity, and character. Over an 18-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career, he became a two-time National League Most Valuable Player (MVP), won multiple Gold Gloves and Silver Sluggers, and became as known for his conduct off the field as his performance on it. Murphy is often cited as a role model in sportsmanship, personal values, and leadership.

Early Life and Background

Murphy was born in Portland, Oregon, to Charles and Betty Murphy.

Growing up in Oregon, Murphy played American Legion baseball and attended Woodrow Wilson High School, where he developed his baseball talents. From early on, he was known for a strong work ethic and seriousness about faith and values—elements that would later become integral to his public identity.

Baseball Career and Achievements

Major League Debut and Early Years

Murphy’s MLB debut came on September 13, 1976, with the Atlanta Braves.

Rise to Stardom, Awards, and Honors

Murphy’s peak years came in the early to mid-1980s. He won consecutive NL MVP awards in 1982 and 1983, making him one of only a few outfielders ever to do that. five straight Gold Glove Awards (1982–1986) for his defensive prowess and four Silver Slugger Awards (1982–1985) for his batting power.

Statistically, Murphy ended his career with 398 home runs, 1,266 runs batted in (RBI), and a batting average of .265.

Because of his contributions, the Braves retired his jersey number 3 on June 13, 1994.

Later Career and Retirement

Murphy’s performance gradually declined in the late 1980s. He was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1990, then briefly played for the Colorado Rockies before retiring on May 27, 1993.

Though he retired with 398 home runs—just two shy of 400—he remains one of the more respected figures of his era.

Off the Field: Character, Faith, and Post-Baseball Work

Murphy was known for his clean living: refusing alcohol and tobacco, avoiding certain media situations, and insisting on integrity in all things.

After his playing days:

• He served from 1997 to 2000 as president of the Massachusetts Boston Mission (LDS Church).

• He founded the iWon’tCheat Foundation (later known as “I WON’T CHEAT”), advocating ethical behavior, discouraging steroid use, and promoting honesty in youth sports.

• He has been involved in charitable work and served on boards (e.g. Operation Smile, children’s charities) and as advisor to humanitarian organizations.

• At one point he took roles in broadcasting (for Braves telecasts) and coaching (USA team in World Baseball Classic)

• He also published books, including The Scouting Report on Professional Athletics, Murph (his autobiography), and The Scouting Report for Youth Athletics.

Legacy and Influence

Dale Murphy’s legacy extends beyond his statistics:

• Model of sportsmanship: He is often held up as an exemplar of integrity, fairness, and clean conduct in an era increasingly troubled by performance-enhancing controversies.

• Values over fame: Murphy prioritized family, faith, and principle, even when opportunities existed to behave otherwise.

• Influence in youth sports: Through his foundation and writings, he has tried to instill ethical values in young athletes.

• Respected peer and public figure: Because of how he carried himself off the field, he earned admiration from teammates, opponents, media, and fans alike.

• Cultural touchpoint: His career and reputation remind later generations that character matters in sports as much as performance.

Famous Quotes by Dale Murphy

These quotes reflect both his perspective as an athlete and a man of values:

• “If you live what you believe, you will always have the respect of others.”

• “You don’t usually get treated unfairly. You usually get what you deserve.”

• “God isn’t really interested in our batting averages.”

• “Whether I’m hitting .100 or .300, I have resolved to at least enjoy every game.”

• “To work with children anywhere is just plain fun.”

• “One of the more challenging things in life is not being the guy who does the cheating, but not saying anything about it and going along with it.”

• “My heroes are people who are working hard and trying to make a good living for their families. My heroes are people who put their families first.”

• “Playing baseball is not real life. It’s a fantasy world… It’s a dream come true.”

• “Maybe I am naive about certain things. But I’m glad. I know all I want to know.”

These quotations illustrate his humility, faith, perspective on competition, and commitment to honesty.

Lessons from Dale Murphy

From his life and words, several lessons emerge:

1. Character matters
   Success is more than statistics. How you conduct yourself—honorably, fairly, ethically—can define your legacy more than performance.

2. Stay grounded in purpose
   Murphy’s faith and values informed his decisions on and off the field; he refused to compromise for short-term gain.

3. Enjoy the journey
   His quote about enjoying the game, regardless of one’s batting average, speaks to embracing the process over fixating on results.

4. Speak up against wrongdoing
   His stance about not staying silent when cheating arises underscores responsibility: integrity requires action, not passivity.

5. Use influence to uplift others
   His post-career engagement—foundations, mentoring, youth sports ethics—shows how to convert influence into service.

Conclusion

Dale Murphy is more than a great baseball player; he is a symbol of what sport can aspire to be—an arena not just for achievement, but for character, fairness, and influence beyond the stadium. His career, grounded in integrity and passion, continues to serve as a beacon for athletes and admirers alike.