# Dale Murray > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Dale_Murray > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Dale_Murray.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Murray > Source revision: 1335135516 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|American baseball player (born 1950)}} {{for|the Canadian singer-songwriter and musician|Dale Murray (musician)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox baseball biography |name=Dale Murray |position=[Pitcher](/source/Pitcher) |image=Dale Murray 1984.jpg |caption=Murray in 1984 |birth_date={{birth date and age|1950|2|2}} |birth_place=[Cuero, Texas](/source/Cuero%2C_Texas), U.S. |bats=Right |throws=Right |debutleague = MLB |debutdate=July 7 |debutyear=1974 |debutteam=Montreal Expos |finalleague = MLB |finaldate=May 13 |finalyear=1985 |finalteam=Texas Rangers |statleague = MLB |stat1label=[Win–loss record](/source/Win%E2%80%93loss_record_(pitching)) |stat1value=53–50 |stat2label=[Earned run average](/source/Earned_run_average) |stat2value=3.85 |stat3label=[Strikeouts](/source/Strikeouts) |stat3value=400 |stat4label=[Saves](/source/Save_(baseball)) |stat4value=60 |teams= *[Montreal Expos](/source/Montreal_Expos) ({{mlby|1974}}–{{mlby|1976}}) *[Cincinnati Reds](/source/Cincinnati_Reds) ({{mlby|1977}}–{{mlby|1978}}) *[New York Mets](/source/New_York_Mets) ({{mlby|1978}}–{{mlby|1979}}) *[Montreal Expos](/source/Montreal_Expos) ({{mlby|1979}}–{{mlby|1980}}) *[Toronto Blue Jays](/source/Toronto_Blue_Jays) ({{mlby|1981}}–{{mlby|1982}}) *[New York Yankees](/source/New_York_Yankees) ({{mlby|1983}}–{{mlby|1985}}) *[Texas Rangers](/source/Texas_Rangers_(baseball)) ({{mlby|1985}}) }} '''Dale Albert Murray''' (born February 2, 1950) is an American former professional [baseball](/source/baseball) [pitcher](/source/pitcher). He played in [Major League Baseball](/source/Major_League_Baseball) (MLB) for the [Montreal Expos](/source/Montreal_Expos), [Cincinnati Reds](/source/Cincinnati_Reds), [New York Mets](/source/New_York_Mets), [Toronto Blue Jays](/source/Toronto_Blue_Jays), [New York Yankees](/source/New_York_Yankees), and [Texas Rangers](/source/Texas_Rangers_(baseball)). ==Career== ===Montreal Expos=== He was drafted by the [Montreal Expos](/source/Montreal_Expos) out of [Blinn College](/source/Blinn_College) in [Brenham, Texas](/source/Brenham%2C_Texas), in the eighteenth round of the [1970 Major League Baseball draft](/source/1970_Major_League_Baseball_draft), and developed into one of the top [relief pitchers](/source/relief_pitchers) in the [National League](/source/National_League_(baseball)) in the mid 70s.{{cite web|url=http://www.centerfieldmaz.com/2011/02/former-met-of-day-dale-murray-1978-1979.html|title=Former Met of the Day: Dale Murray (1978-1979)|date=February 2, 2011|publisher=Centerfield Maz}} Murray was used primarily in relief in Montreal's farm system. After going 11–5 with a 2.42 [earned run average](/source/earned_run_average) and eight [saves](/source/save_(baseball)) in {{baseball year|1972}} for the [Eastern League](/source/Eastern_League_(1938%E2%80%932020))'s [Quebec Carnavals](/source/Quebec_Carnavals), the Expos experimented with Murray as a [starter](/source/starting_pitcher). His record fell to 8–13 with a 4.26 ERA in {{baseball year|1973}} for triple A Peninsula, and the idea was abandoned. He made his major league debut in {{baseball year|1974}} against the [Los Angeles Dodgers](/source/Los_Angeles_Dodgers), pitching three innings, and giving up one [earned run](/source/earned_run).{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MON/MON197407071.shtml|title=Los Angeles Dodgers 4, Montreal Expos 1|date=July 7, 1974|publisher=Baseball-Reference.com}} Though he started the season with the [Memphis Blues](/source/Memphis_Blues_(minor_league)) of the [International League](/source/International_League), he emerged as the top pitcher in Montreal's [bullpen](/source/bullpen) by the end of the season, earning ten saves in the month of September while giving up just one earned run in 33 [innings pitched](/source/innings_pitched). For the season, he was 1–1 with a 1.03 ERA. The Montreal Expos won just 75 games to finish fifth in the [National League East](/source/National_League_East) in {{baseball year|1975}}. Murray led the team with fifteen [wins](/source/win_(baseball)), and had ten saves, giving him a hand in one-third of the team's victories. He made a [National League](/source/National_League_(baseball)) leading 81 relief appearances for the Expos in {{baseball year|1976}}. Following the season, Murray and [Woodie Fryman](/source/Woodie_Fryman) were dealt to the [World Series Champion](/source/1976_World_Series) [Cincinnati Reds](/source/Cincinnati_Reds) in exchange for [Tony Pérez](/source/Tony_P%C3%A9rez) and [Will McEnaney](/source/Will_McEnaney).{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=L5IqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gl0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6603,2076331&dq=tony+perez+dale+murray&hl=en|title=Reds Ship Pérez, Get Fryman in 4-man Trade|date=December 17, 1976|publisher=St. Petersburg Times}} ===Cincinnati Reds=== {{baseball year|1977}} was a typical season for Cincinnati's offense. [George Foster](/source/George_Foster_(baseball)) had an MVP season, leading the major leagues with 52 [home runs](/source/home_runs) and 149 [runs batted in](/source/runs_batted_in). Perennial [All-Star](/source/Major_League_Baseball_All-Star_Game) [Johnny Bench](/source/Johnny_Bench) also drove in over 100 [runs](/source/run_(baseball)), while [Joe Morgan](/source/Joe_Morgan) scored over 100 runs. [Pete Rose](/source/Pete_Rose) batted over .300, as did Pérez's replacement at [first base](/source/first_baseman), [Dan Driessen](/source/Dan_Driessen). Unfortunately, the wheels fell off the "[Big Red Machine](/source/Big_Red_Machine)'s" pitching staff. The Reds ended the season with a 4.21 team ERA – third highest in the NL. The Los Angeles Dodgers, meanwhile, had a league leading 3.22 staff ERA to take the division by ten games over the Reds. Murray finished with a 7–2 record and 4.94 ERA his first season in Cincinnati. With the starting rotation depleted, he made his one and only career start on July 28 against the [Chicago Cubs](/source/Chicago_Cubs). He pitched a little over an [inning](/source/inning), giving up six earned runs.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN197707280.shtml|title=Chicago Cubs 16, Cincinnati Reds 15|date=July 28, 1977|publisher=Baseball-Reference.com}} A month into the {{baseball year|1978}} season, he was dealt to the [New York Mets](/source/New_York_Mets) for [Ken Henderson](/source/Ken_Henderson). ===New York Mets=== Murray was tagged for five earned runs against the [Philadelphia Phillies](/source/Philadelphia_Phillies) to take the loss in his first game as a Met.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYN/NYN197805200.shtml|title=Philadelphia Phillies 9, New York Mets 4|date=May 20, 1978|publisher=Baseball-Reference.com}} From there, Murray turned things around, going 8–4 with a 3.20 ERA the rest of the way for the last place club. In August {{baseball year|1979}}, Murray's contract was sold to the Montreal Expos. Despite not finishing the season in New York, he led the Mets' bullpen with 58 appearances. ===Return to Montreal=== The Expos were in a tight division race with the [Pittsburgh Pirates](/source/Pittsburgh_Pirates) when they purchased Murray's contract from the Mets just before the 1979 post-season roster deadline. Murray pitched well upon his return to Montreal, going 1–2 with a 2.70 ERA, however, the lone home run he gave up was an [extra innings](/source/extra_innings) shot by [Willie Stargell](/source/Willie_Stargell), which gave the Pirates a two-game lead in the division that they maintained for the rest of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MON/MON197909180.shtml|title=Pittsburgh Pirates 5, Montreal Expos 3|date=September 18, 1979|publisher=Baseball-Reference.com}} Murray split the {{baseball year|1980}} season between the Expos and their triple A farm team, the [Denver Bears](/source/Denver_Bears). On August 28, roughly a year after purchasing his contract, the Expos released Murray with a 0–1 record and 6.14 ERA at the major league level. ===Toronto Blue Jays=== In January {{baseball year|1981}}, Murray signed a minor league contract with an invitation to [Spring training](/source/Spring_training) with the [Toronto Blue Jays](/source/Toronto_Blue_Jays).{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zzhgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LHANAAAAIBAJ&pg=1093,1914783&dq=dale+murray+1980+expos&hl=en|title=Former Liner Bargar Invited to Expos' Training Camp|date=January 21, 1981|publisher=The Phoenix}} He began the season in triple A, but after tearing up the [International League](/source/International_League) with a 1.85 ERA and sixteen saves for the [Syracuse Chiefs](/source/Syracuse_Chiefs), he earned a [September call-up](/source/Major_League_Baseball_rosters) to the big league club. He was just as effective with the Jays, going 1–0 with a 1.17 ERA. Murray went 8–7 with a 3.16 ERA and a team leading eleven saves for the Blue Jays in {{baseball year|1982}}. His eleven saves were also his highest season total since 1976. Following the season, he was dealt to the [New York Yankees](/source/New_York_Yankees) with [Tom Dodd](/source/Tom_Dodd_(baseball)) for [Dave Collins](/source/Dave_Collins_(baseball)), [Fred McGriff](/source/Fred_McGriff) and [Mike Morgan](/source/Mike_Morgan_(baseball)). [Third baseman](/source/Third_baseman) [Graig Nettles](/source/Graig_Nettles) was also supposed to be included in the deal, but when the Jays refused to give him a hefty bonus, the Yankees included cash in the deal to compensate.{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wiVRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wt8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=6863,1333748&dq=dale+murray+yankees&hl=en|title=Yanks Sign Kemp, 21 Players Move as Trading Heats Up|date=December 10, 1982|publisher=The Telegraph-Herald}} ===New York Yankees=== Murray went 3–6 with a 4.58 ERA in his first two seasons as a Yankee. After giving up three earned runs with just two innings pitched in April {{baseball year|1985}}, the Yanks released him. He signed with the [Texas Rangers](/source/Texas_Rangers_(baseball)) shortly afterwards, but made just one appearance with the club. After finishing out the season with their AAA affiliate, the [Oklahoma City 89ers](/source/Oklahoma_City_89ers), Murray retired. ==Career stats== Murray made only 79 plate appearances in his career, and had a career .077 [batting average](/source/batting_average_(baseball)). His only career RBI came as a member of the Expos on September 1, 1975. His two out [single](/source/single_(baseball)) drove in the deciding run in the Expos' 6–5 victory over [Gene Garber](/source/Gene_Garber) and the Philadelphia Phillies.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI197509010.shtml|title=Montreal Expos 6, Philadelphia Phillies 5|date=September 1, 1975|publisher=Baseball-Reference.com}}
{| class="wikitable" |- |[W](/source/Win_(baseball)) |L |PCT |[ERA](/source/Earned_run_average) |[G](/source/Games_played) |[GF](/source/Games_finished) |[SV](/source/Save_(sport)) |[IP](/source/Innings_pitched) |[H](/source/Hit_(baseball)) |[ER](/source/Earned_run) |[R](/source/Run_(baseball_statistics)) |[HR](/source/Home_run) |[BB](/source/Base_on_balls) |[K](/source/Strikeout) |[WP](/source/Wild_pitch) |[HBP](/source/Hit_by_pitch) |[Fld%](/source/Fielding_percentage) |- |53 |50 |.515 |3.85 |518 |289 |60 |902.1 |976 |386 |448 |40 |329 |400 |32 |14 |.920 |}
{{clear}} ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{Baseballstats|mlb=119578|espn=671|br=m/murrada01|fangraphs=1009383|brm=murray001dal|retro=M/Pmurrd001}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Murray, Dale}} Category:1950 births Category:Living people Category:American expatriate baseball players in Canada Category:Baseball players from DeWitt County, Texas Category:Blinn Buccaneers baseball players Category:Blinn College alumni Category:Cincinnati Reds players Category:Columbus Clippers players Category:Denver Bears players Category:Major League Baseball pitchers Category:Memphis Blues players Category:Montreal Expos players Category:New York Mets players Category:New York Yankees players Category:Oklahoma City 89ers players Category:Peninsula Whips players Category:Sportspeople from Cuero, Texas Category:Québec Carnavals players Category:Syracuse Chiefs players Category:Texas Rangers players Category:Tigres de Aragua players Category:American expatriate baseball players in Venezuela Category:Toronto Blue Jays players Category:Watertown Expos players Category:West Palm Beach Expos players Category:20th-century American sportsmen --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Dale Murray](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Murray) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Murray?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.