David Murphy, Right Field, Retired


Date of Birth: 10/18/1981
Birthplace: Houston, Texas
College: Baylor University

David Murphy, retired right fielder, was first drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 2003. He played in the minor leagues from 2003 through most of 2007, finishing with a .273 batting average. He played in just 20 games with the Red Sox in 2006.

After just three games with the Red Sox in 2007, they traded Murphy to the Texas Rangers. He spent most of the season in the minor leagues, playing in just 43 games with the Rangers. The next year, he suffered a knee injury that limited his playing time to 108 games. In 2008, he batted .275 with 114 hits, 28 doubles, 15 home runs, and a career high 74 RBIs.

Murphy's strongest season was 2012, when he batted .304 with career highs in hits with 139 and doubles with 29. The 2013 season, however, was a disappointing one for Murphy. In 142 games in 2013, he batted just .220 with 96 hits and 26 doubles. He fared better defensively as a left fielder, making 191 putouts and just 2 errors in 128 games. He had a .990 fielding percentage.

In November, 2013, Murphy signed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Cleveland Indians. Although he has been primarily a left fielder, in 2014 Murphy played mostly in right field for the Indians. He finished the 2014 season with 109 hits, 25 doubles, 58 RBIs, and a .262 batting average in 129 games.

Murphy was traded to the Los Angeles Angels on July 28, 2015. He finished the 2015 season with 102 hits, 18 doubles, 50 RBIs, and a .283 batting average in 84 games with the Indians and 48 games with the Angels.

Murphy returned to the Red Sox on February 29, 2016. He was released a month later on March 28th. He signed with the Minnesota Twins on April 14th but eleven days later, they released him. He played only 10 games in the minors in 2016.

Murphy retired in April, 2016.

Career batting statistics for Murphy through 2016 include:

  • 1,110 games played
  • 950 hits
  • 203 doubles
  • 104 home runs
  • 472 RBIs
  • 575 strikeouts to 316 walks
  • .274 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Murphy as a left fielder through 2016 include:

  • 651 games played
  • 987 putouts
  • 11 errors
  • .989 fielding percentage

Career fielding statistics for Murphy as a right fielder through 2016 include:

  • 321 games played
  • 515 putouts
  • 5 errors
  • .991 fielding percentage

Personal Life

Murphy married his wife Andrea on January 1, 2005. They have one son and two daughters.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - David Murphy
ESPN - David Murphy