With All-Star festivities kicking into high gear, we continue our series featuring 2x MVP Dale Murphy. Murphy would play 15 seasons for the Braves, with half of those resulting in All-Star Game selections.
In the 80’s only one player hit more home runs than Dale, that being Mike Schmidt. Dale Murphy joins us exclusively at The Crawfish Boxes.
Q: It was almost a given back in that era that you’d be selected by the fans. You appeared in 7 All Star games in the 1980’s. What do you remember about that 1986
game?
A: What’s funny is that for that particular year and game at the Astrodome, my stats weren’t really that good so I kind of felt weird about starting that game. But you mentioned the fans, they voted me in as a starter. It was always an honor.
Q: You got to face Roger Clemens, who was appearing in his first All-Star Game and was in the zone. What do you remember about that confrontation?
A: I only saw one pitch from Clemens as I remember, and I grounded out to short. I had two at bats that night, and then Chili Davis came in for me.
My second at bat was against Higuera. I actually told Whitey Herzog that I was good with just the one at bat, but he kept me in.
Q: Historically though, you had some big games in the Dome. That night was the exception to the rule. Did you like playing at the Astrodome?
A: I’m not sure I could say I ever fully enjoyed playing in the Astrodome though (laughs). Playing there was always tough and it was a credit to those Astros teams. Facing the likes of Nolan, Scott and J.R. it didn’t get tougher than that in the mid-eighties.
Plus, the dome had a problem with the ceiling. If you weren’t careful, it would be hard to pick up a fly ball in the outfield.
Q: What was the coolest thing about that night?
A: Far and away getting to meet at the time Vice President Bush before the game. He came through the club house and all of us had a chance to speak to him. That was really special.
Q: What’s life like for you now?
A: I’m no longer chasing fly balls; I’m chasing down my grandkids here in Atlanta. (laughs)
