The Monday Fungo

Dwayne Murphy – #18

For more than 10 seasons, Dwyane Murphy was a mainstay in the Oakland lineup, roaming centerfield (a six-time Gold Glove winner), for seven managers: Bobby Winkles, Jack McKeon, Billy Martin, Steve Boros, Jackie Moore, Jeff Newman and Tony La Russa.

The Tigers picked him up on June 5, 1988 after the A’s, released him. His time in Detroit was brief, but long enough to get a Topps card. Here the gist:

  • 49 games, .250 average, 4 HR, 19 RBI, .729 OPS
  • He made a splash in is first Tigers game, July 31, 1988, in a 5-1 win over the Rangers: Batting seventh, he went 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored. He played in center with Chet Lemon shifting to right.
  • Sparky slotted him mostly in center but Murphy made appearances in left and right, too.
  • In his last game with Detroit, Oct. 2, 1988, he batted second and went 0 for 4.
  • The Tigers released him at the end of Spring Training in 1989. In early April he signed with the Phillies and played 98 games in his final big league season.

Birthdays

Fernando Rodney, Geronimo Berroa, Dwayne Murphy and the late Dick Littlefield, Fred Hatfield, Hal White, Eddie Lake, Al Benton, Wiley Taylor

Today’s Grid

⚾️ Immaculate Grid 351 9/9 — Rarity: 42

See you tomorrow.

Author: Mike McClary

Upbeat guy.