HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — Dale Murphy, described as one of the most beloved players ever to wear an Atlanta Braves uniform, will be a featured guest for this year’s Hot Springs Baseball Weekend, August 26 – 27.
“Dale Murphy was one of five Braves players to have his number retired by the Braves, and he’ll be a great addition to our Fifth Annual Baseball Weekend,” Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison said. “He joins the immortal Hank Aaron, Eddie Matthews, Warren Spahn and Phil Niekro as those whose retired numbers hang in Turner Field.”
Arrison added, “We’ll have other exciting featured guest players to announce for this year as we complete arrangements. It’s going to be another great celebration of Hot Springs’ heritage as The Birthplace of Major League Baseball Spring Training.”
Murphy was chosen by the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the 1974 Major League Draft. Over the next few years, he worked his way through the Braves minor league system and made his Major League debut in 1976.
Although he began his career as a catcher, he spent a short time at first base and finally ended up in the outfield, where he became the youngest player in history to win back-to-back MVP awards (1982 and 1983), was named to the National League All-Star team seven times, earned four Silver Slugger awards and five Gold Gloves.
During his 1983 MVP season, he became the only player in history to compile a .300+ batting average, 30+ home runs, 120+ runs batted in, 130+ runs scored, 90+ bases on balls, and 30+ stolen bases in one season.
During the decade spanning 1981-1990, he led the major leagues in home runs and RBIs. He also led the National League in games, at bats, runs, hits, extra base hits, runs created, total bases, and plate appearances during that same period.
With 7,960 at-bats, he retired in 1993 after a long and successful career with the Atlanta Braves (1974-1991), the Philadelphia Phillies (1991-1993), and the Colorado Rockies (1993.)
The Fifth Annual Hot Springs Baseball Weekend again will be held at the Hot Springs Convention Center. The public is invited to attend free of charge.
For more information call Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.
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