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By Kent Larsen
Murphy is Hall-of-Famer in their Hearts
MOREHEAD CITY, NORTH CAROLINA -- If fans had anything to do with it, LDS
baseball star Dale Murphy would be in Major League Baseball's Hall of Fame.
Murphy visited North Carolina Saturday to sign the many things that fans
brought to Batter's Up Trading Cards, a shop that brought Murphy in for its
grand opening. He's one of the nicest guys in sports," said Charles Jackson,
co-owner of Batter's Up. "If all athletes were as nice as Dale, they'd make
a killing. This is our grand opening and we got the right guy to be our
guest."
Even in this small North Carolina town fans lined up 20 deep and more to
have cards, baseballs and other gear signed. More than a few also got their
picture taken. In spite of the crowd, according to the report, Murphy
remained relaxed and patient, taking the time to personalize his autographs
and chat with the fans.
Murphy told the Jacksonville Daily News he wished he was still involved in
baseball, "I'd like to be involved in baseball and with the Braves in some
way but it would take too much time away from my family," Murphy said. "I'm
involved with my kids and their games and I don't want to be away from them
any more than I have to be."
But he says he does keep busy, however. "I'm involved in Children First of
Utah and I'm doing some corporate speaking and some card shows." And, he
comes back to visit the Braves regularly, "I went to spring training for 10
days and had to go on a crash diet to fit into a uniform," he joked.
In spite of the fan's opinion of Murphy, he hasn't come close to being
inducted into the Hall, picking up no more than one third of the votes he
would need from sportswriters to be inducted. However, among Atlanta fans,
Murphy remains popular, one of the great Braves players. He is one of only
five Braves to have his number retired, and the only one who has not been
inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Source:
Dale Murphy's fans think he's already a Hall of Famer
Jacksonville NC Daily News 10Apr01 S2
By David Howell
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