David Murphy
Encyclopedia
David Matthew Murphy is a Major League Baseball
outfielder
with the Texas Rangers
.
He played high school baseball with fellow Major League Baseball player, Josh Barfield
, at Klein High School
, and played college baseball at Baylor University
in Waco, Texas
. He was drafted in the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft
by the Boston Red Sox
. In 2007 Murphy was traded to the Texas Rangers.
, Single-A Sarasota Red Sox, rookie-level Gulf Coast Red Sox, Double-A Portland Sea Dogs
, AFL
Peoria Saguaros
, and Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox
in the Red Sox organization.
In 2006 Murphy played 42 games for the Sea Dogs before being promoted to Pawtucket on May 26. While at Portland, Murphy had 47 hits
in 172 at-bats (.273 batting average
), with 17 double
s, 1 triple
, 3 home run
s, 25 RBI
, and 11 walks
. Murphy appeared in 84 games, going 85-for-318 (.267), with 23 doubles, 5 triples, 8 home runs, 44 RBI, and 45 walks. In 2006 he appeared in 20 games for the Boston Red Sox. He hit a 1–2 pitch into center field at Fenway Park
in his first major league at-bat for his first major league hit (a single
) on September 2, 2006. He hit his first MLB home run against New York Yankees pitcher
, Jaret Wright
, on September 17, 2006, at Yankee Stadium
.
On July 31, 2007, Murphy was traded to the Texas Rangers in a package that sent relief pitcher
Eric Gagné
to Boston.
6–5 on Murphy's walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 10th. It was Murphy's first career walk-off hit. On August 1, 2008, Murphy capped a 3-run rally in the bottom of the 9th, hitting a walk-off 2-RBI single off B.J. Ryan
as the Rangers beat the Toronto Blue Jays
9–8. In 2009 Murphy hit a walk-off single against Houston Astros
closer, Jose Valverde
. On August 7, 2008, Murphy was placed on the 15-day DL
after suffering a knee injury in a collision at home plate
with Iván Rodríguez
of the New York Yankees
. Murphy did not play another game in the 2008 season, when swelling to his knee cut his attempts at rehab short.
Murphy has continued to play well for the Rangers, often in a backup role. Despite not playing every day, his clutch hitting and strong performance in the 2010 post-season made him a fan favorite.
, Murphy hit a go-ahead, pinch-hit two-run double in the eighth inning that put the Rangers up, 7–5. Texas went on to win that game, 9–5. Two days later, in his first start of the season, he hit a home run against Clay Buchholz
.
In 2011, he batted .275 with 11 home runs.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
with the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
.
He played high school baseball with fellow Major League Baseball player, Josh Barfield
Josh Barfield
Joshua LaRoy Barfield is a second baseman who is currently in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. He is the son of former major league outfielder Jesse Barfield. Barfield was born in Venezuela during his mother's two-week winterball visit with his father...
, at Klein High School
Klein High School
Klein High School is a public high school located in Klein, Texas, approximately 30 miles from downtown Houston. It serves grades 9-12 in the Klein Independent School District.-History:...
, and played college baseball at Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
in Waco, Texas
Waco, Texas
Waco is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas. Situated along the Brazos River and on the I-35 corridor, halfway between Dallas and Austin, it is the economic, cultural, and academic center of the 'Heart of Texas' region....
. He was drafted in the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft
2003 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2003 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 3 and 4. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.Source: -First round selections:...
by the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. In 2007 Murphy was traded to the Texas Rangers.
Boston Red Sox (2006-07)
Murphy played for the Single-A Lowell SpinnersLowell Spinners
The Lowell Spinners are a Short-Season A minor league baseball affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.-History:Founded in 1996 after Clyde Smoll moved the Elmira Pioneers to Lowell, Massachusetts, the Spinners play in the New York - Penn League, which has a Short-Season A classification with 76 games a...
, Single-A Sarasota Red Sox, rookie-level Gulf Coast Red Sox, Double-A Portland Sea Dogs
Portland Sea Dogs
The Portland Sea Dogs are the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Established in 1994 and based in Portland, Maine, the Sea Dogs play in the Northern Division of the Eastern League....
, AFL
Arizona Fall League
The Arizona Fall League is an off-season league owned and operated by Major League Baseball which operates during the fall in Arizona, United States at five spring training complexes...
Peoria Saguaros
Peoria Saguaros
The Surprise Saguaros are a baseball team that plays in the West Division of the Arizona Fall League. They play their home games at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Arizona....
, and Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
in the Red Sox organization.
In 2006 Murphy played 42 games for the Sea Dogs before being promoted to Pawtucket on May 26. While at Portland, Murphy had 47 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 172 at-bats (.273 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
), with 17 double
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
s, 1 triple
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 3 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, 25 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
, and 11 walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
. Murphy appeared in 84 games, going 85-for-318 (.267), with 23 doubles, 5 triples, 8 home runs, 44 RBI, and 45 walks. In 2006 he appeared in 20 games for the Boston Red Sox. He hit a 1–2 pitch into center field at Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
in his first major league at-bat for his first major league hit (a single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
) on September 2, 2006. He hit his first MLB home run against New York Yankees pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
, Jaret Wright
Jaret Wright
Jaret Samuel Wright is an American former Major League Baseball starting pitcher, who played 10 years for five teams. He is the son of former major league pitcher Clyde Wright.-Early life and education:...
, on September 17, 2006, at Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
.
On July 31, 2007, Murphy was traded to the Texas Rangers in a package that sent relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
Eric Gagné
Éric Gagné
Éric Serge Gagné is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.Signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent in 1995, Gagné began his career as a starting pitcher...
to Boston.
Texas Rangers (2007–present)
On April 25, 2008, the Rangers beat the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
6–5 on Murphy's walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the 10th. It was Murphy's first career walk-off hit. On August 1, 2008, Murphy capped a 3-run rally in the bottom of the 9th, hitting a walk-off 2-RBI single off B.J. Ryan
B.J. Ryan
Robert Victor "B.J." Ryan, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Though he never officially retired, Ryan has not played since .-Career:Ryan started his career as a left-handed specialist...
as the Rangers beat the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
9–8. In 2009 Murphy hit a walk-off single against Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
closer, Jose Valverde
José Valverde
José Rafael Valverde is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. His nickname is Papa Grande...
. On August 7, 2008, Murphy was placed on the 15-day DL
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
after suffering a knee injury in a collision at home plate
Home Plate
Home Plate is the fifth album by Bonnie Raitt, released in 1975 .-Track listing:#"What Do You Want the Boy to Do?" – 3:19#"Good Enough" – 2:56#"Run Like a Thief" – 3:02...
with Iván Rodríguez
Iván Rodríguez
Iván Rodríguez Torres , nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Major League Baseball catcher...
of the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. Murphy did not play another game in the 2008 season, when swelling to his knee cut his attempts at rehab short.
Murphy has continued to play well for the Rangers, often in a backup role. Despite not playing every day, his clutch hitting and strong performance in the 2010 post-season made him a fan favorite.
2011
On opening day against the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, Murphy hit a go-ahead, pinch-hit two-run double in the eighth inning that put the Rangers up, 7–5. Texas went on to win that game, 9–5. Two days later, in his first start of the season, he hit a home run against Clay Buchholz
Clay Buchholz
Clay Daniel Buchholz pitches for the Boston Red Sox of major league baseball. On September 1, 2007, in just his second major league start, he recorded a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles, becoming the third MLB pitcher since 1900 to throw a no-hitter in his first or second start...
.
In 2011, he batted .275 with 11 home runs.
Family
Murphy and his wife, Andrea Hill, were married on January 1, 2005, and have two daughters.External links
- Baseball Prospectus card PECOTAPECOTAPECOTA, an acronym for Player Empirical Comparison and Optimization Test Algorithm, is a sabermetric system for forecasting Major League Baseball player performance. The word is a backronym based on the name of journeyman major league player Bill Pecota, who with a lifetime batting average of .249...