5 greatest outfielders in Boston/Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves franchise history
By Kevin Henry
Number 3 — Dale Murphy (47.3 bWAR with Braves)
Drafted by the Braves with the fifth overall pick in the 1974 draft, Dale Murphy became an Atlanta legend who was among the best of his time at the plate and in the field.
Dale Murphy earned honors with the Atlanta Braves while rarely missing a game
A back-to-back National League MVP winner in 1982 and 1983, Murphy was also a seven-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glove winner, and earned a Silver Slugger four times. He also played in 159 or more games six straight seasons, including 162 games in four consecutive years (1982-1985).
During his 18-year career that also included stops with the Philadelphia Phillies and Colorado Rockies, Murphy saw the postseason just one time, that coming in 1982 when the Braves won the NL West and met the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS. Murphy went 3-for-11 in the series, but St. Louis swept the Braves.
A big part of Atlanta’s success that season came off the bat of Murphy, who hit 36 home runs and drove in an NL-leading 109 runs. He would top that mark the next season, once again logging 36 homers but driving in 121 while posting an NL-best .933 OPS.
Murphy would hit 36 or more homers in four straight seasons between 1982-85 and would display his power in the 1984 All-Star Game, smacking a solo shot to extend the NL’s lead at Candlestick Park.