Books and articles about Dwayne Murphy

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Injuries, and a long-ball love affair, curtailed the outstanding promise of Dwayne Murphy's career. Foremost a defensive star, with six straight Gold Gloves (1980-85), the lefthanded hitter showed surprising power with 27 home runs in 1982 and 33 in 1984. Part of Oakland's dream outfield (with Rickey Henderson and Tony Armas) from 1980 to 1982, Murphy was most effective as a line-drive hitter behind Henderson and least effective when consistently trying to hit for power. A severe back injury, suffered in 1986, and chronic foot problems, slowed the righthanded fielder. Murphy's diminished, but still outstanding, defensive ability kept him in the major leagues. (ME)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » August 4, 1979: At the Kingdome, the Mariner's Ruppert Jones hits a foul ball that sticks in the speaker above the 1B dugout. But the Athletics amass 11 hits fair to beat the Mariners, 5–3. Dwayne Murphy is 3-for-3 with a triple and a homer. » May 3, 1980: In a 5–3 win over Detroit, two Oakland runners successfully steal home. Wayne Gross and Dwayne Murphy are the thieves. Murphy will steal home again May 28. » May 28, 1980: In Oakland's 6–3 win over Kansas City, Dwayne Murphy and Rickey Henderson steal home in the first inning, tying a ML record. It was last done in the American League by Minnesota, May 18, 1969: In the National League the last time was the Cardinals, September 19, 1925. » May 8, 1981: Oakland's Steve McCatty beats the Brewers, 2–0. Dwayne Murphy supplies a solo home run and Dave McKay swipes home for the other score. McKay also stole home last September. » June 12, 1983: In another extra-inning battle at Oakland the White Sox outslug Oakland to win, 12–10. The Sox score three in the top of the 10th, but the A's match it when Dwayne Murphy and Wayne Gross hit back-to-back homers. The Sox then score a pair in the 11th on a triple and home run to win. » November 27, 1984: The 1984 American League Gold Glove team is announced, and it is made up of the same nine players as the 1983 team: catcher Lance Parrish, 1B Eddie Murray, 2B Lou Whitaker, 3B Buddy Bell, SS Alan Trammell, outfielders Dwight Evans, Dave Winfield, and Dwayne Murphy, and pitcher Ron Guidry.