The Sporting News' NL Rookie Pitcher of the Year in 1983, the skinny, bespectacled Texan debuted with a 15-9, 3.08 ERA mark to lead the Braves staff. He slumped to 9-17 in 1984, and in 1985 he was hampered by elbow problems. He was moved to the bullpen in 1985, and he never had a winning record after his rookie season.
After compiling an 0-3 record in 23 appearances with Texas in 1990, McMurtry failed to see any major-league action until a brief return as a replacement player during the players' strike in 1994. The decision backfired during the 1995 season when his late-season callup drew protests from his Astros teammates.
(PB/AF)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»June 4, 1986:
Pirates OF Barry Bonds, the son of former ML star Bobby Bonds, goes 4-for-5 with his first ML home run (off Craig McMurtry) as Pittsburgh whips Atlanta 12–3.
»September 3, 1989: It is 100 degrees in Texas and the Royals and Rangers are equally hot as seven batters get hit by pitches, the 3rd time this century this has happened, as notes historian Joe Dittmar. The Royals put the game out of reach with a 3-run homer by Bo Jackson in the 7th to win, 13–2. When Mike MacFarlane is plunked in the 8th, the 5th Royal hit, he rushes the mound and tackles reliever Craig McMurtry.
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