Red Murray
Encyclopedia
John Joseph "Red" Murray (March 4, 1884 - December 4, 1958) was a professional baseball player.
Red Murray was born in Arnot, Pennsylvania. In 1902, Murray attended Lock Haven College (LHU) where he played football, basketball, and baseball. In 1904, Murray changed schools to the University of Notre Dame
, playing catcher for the Fighting Irish.
In , he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals
. The next year, he played the outfield and hit seven home runs. During the season, Murray hit a 471 feet (143.6 m) home run. In , he played in all 154 games and finished second in the NL in stolen bases (48), third in hits (167), home runs (7).
He was traded to the New York Giants
and helped win John McGraw three consecutive pennants.
From 1909-12 Murray ranked third in the NL in total RBIs, trailing only Honus Wagner
and Sherry Magee
. He and Wagner tied for the most home runs in the majors from 1907 through 1909 (21).
He died December 4, 1958. His obituary ranked him "with Mel Ott
as one of the two greatest right fielders in New York Giant history."
J.C. Kofoed, in the April 1924 issue of Baseball Magazine
wrote:
"Red Murray was for years noted as one of the greatest outfielders in the National League. His throwing arm was the best ever, his ground covering ability and sureness of eye were classic. Furthermore, he was remarkably fast as a base runner, and noted as a batter as well. In his seven seasons as a regular, Murray led NL outfielders in home runs, runs batted in, stolen bases, and assists a total of 16 times. Despite his impressive statistics in power hitting, baserunning, and fielding, he remains one of the least-recognized stars of the Deadball Era."
Red Murray was born in Arnot, Pennsylvania. In 1902, Murray attended Lock Haven College (LHU) where he played football, basketball, and baseball. In 1904, Murray changed schools to the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
, playing catcher for the Fighting Irish.
In , he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. The next year, he played the outfield and hit seven home runs. During the season, Murray hit a 471 feet (143.6 m) home run. In , he played in all 154 games and finished second in the NL in stolen bases (48), third in hits (167), home runs (7).
He was traded to the New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
and helped win John McGraw three consecutive pennants.
From 1909-12 Murray ranked third in the NL in total RBIs, trailing only Honus Wagner
Honus Wagner
-Louisville Colonels:Recognizing his talent, Barrow recommended Wagner to the Louisville Colonels. After some hesitation about his awkward figure, Wagner was signed by the Colonels, where he hit .338 in 61 games....
and Sherry Magee
Sherry Magee
Sherwood Robert "Sherry" Magee was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball. From 1904 through 1919, Magee played for the Philadelphia Phillies , Boston Braves and Cincinnati Reds...
. He and Wagner tied for the most home runs in the majors from 1907 through 1909 (21).
He died December 4, 1958. His obituary ranked him "with Mel Ott
Mel Ott
Melvin Thomas Ott , nicknamed "Master Melvin", was a Major League Baseball right fielder. He played his entire career for the New York Giants . Ott was born in Gretna, Louisiana. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
as one of the two greatest right fielders in New York Giant history."
J.C. Kofoed, in the April 1924 issue of Baseball Magazine
Baseball Magazine
Baseball Magazine is a now-defunct baseball magazine that existed from the dead-ball era to the 1950s. It is considered a good source for researchers researching those eras....
wrote:
"Red Murray was for years noted as one of the greatest outfielders in the National League. His throwing arm was the best ever, his ground covering ability and sureness of eye were classic. Furthermore, he was remarkably fast as a base runner, and noted as a batter as well. In his seven seasons as a regular, Murray led NL outfielders in home runs, runs batted in, stolen bases, and assists a total of 16 times. Despite his impressive statistics in power hitting, baserunning, and fielding, he remains one of the least-recognized stars of the Deadball Era."
See also
- List of Major League Baseball home run champions
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases