Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 26, 1994 TAG: 9406260060
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEWNAN, GA. LENGTH: Medium
"Taylor. Taylor. Go pat him on the back and tell him it's OK. Go tell him he'll get it next time," the former Atlanta Braves outfielder told his 6-year-old son through the dugout fence.
Taylor Murphy was basking in his own good performance that day and balked at his dad's request. Murphy prodded again and Taylor reluctantly obliged, running over to his down-and-out Little Braves teammate, saying something quickly and looking back at his father for approval.
"Good job," said Murphy, whose eight children leave him one shy of being able to field his own baseball team.
Still winding down from a 16-season professional career in which he faded from baseball's boy wonder to an injured pinch hitter, Murphy hates to see Little Leaguers getting so upset so early in their budding baseball careers.
"People forget how hard it is at their age. You help them get through these frustrating years. But then, it can be frustrating no matter what age you are," said Murphy, 38, who retired last summer after a dismal, injury-plagued start with the Colorado Rockies.
"I know what it's like to be in a slump."
But most fans remember Murphy's non-slump years with the Atlanta Braves:
The back-to-back MVP awards in 1982-83.
The five Gold Gloves.
The 398 home runs.
The cheers whenever his name was announced.
Murphy is the fifth player in the 119-year history of the Braves' franchise to have his jersey - No. 3 - retired. The others are Henry Aaron (44), Warren Spahn (21), Eddie Mathews (41) and Phil Niekro (35).
"I don't think I'm really in their league," said Murphy, handing 4-year-old son, Jacob, 25 cents to buy bubble gum at the concession stand. "It's the highest honor they could give me."
Dressed in khaki pants, striped short-sleeved shirt and white tennis shoes, Murphy says he has put on a few pounds since retiring from baseball. But his boyish good looks and bashful charm haven't changed. He begins his answer to almost every question with a sheepish, "Gee, I don't know . . . "
He lives on a 500-acre farm in Grantville, about 50 miles southwest of Atlanta, with his wife, seven boys and a baby girl. The eight children range in age from 13 years to 9 months. Four play Little League ball.
"We've got a game or a practice every day of the week," Murphy said. "I've never eaten so many hot dogs in my life."
As if that's not enough baseball, the entire family is taking a cruise this summer on a ship that caters to families and offers baseball instruction on board. Murphy will help with batting practice, and his children will be part of the ship team that plays teams in Caribbean countries.
"I don't think I'll ever get totally away from the game," said Murphy, who grew up in Portland, Ore., and started playing baseball at age 8.
While he figures out what he wants to do with the rest of his life, he's making up for lost time with his family, playing golf and speaking to groups around Atlanta.
At the Little League field, Murphy is just another parent rooting for the youngsters. He stands by the dugout rather than sitting in the bleachers, and he high-fives his sons when they come off the field. His children get no special treatment, according to other parents, and he doesn't tell the coaches how to do their job.
"He'll help us out if we ask him, but he's extremely easygoing," said Al Fuller of Newnan, a coach for Taylor's team.
The sincere personality that made Murphy, a Mormon, stand out in baseball circles remains intact.
He listens sincerely as a Little League coach recounts the details behind a 3-inch-long scar on his knee.
"Oh man, that's awful," Murphy says to the guy.
He obliges with a smile when asked for an autograph.
"Sure," Murphy says, signing a baseball cap for the father of a boy on Taylor's team.
"If you looked up All-American in the dictionary, Dale Murphy's picture would be there," said umpire Royce Williams of Grantville. "He's not one of those dog-eat-dog parents."
by CNB