Rob Murphy

Last updated
84+23 innings. In four years with the Reds, Murphy had held 72 of the 78 leads he had been tasked with holding, and had stranded 79% of the runners he inherited. After the season, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox.
Comparing Murphy with all Cincinnati Reds’ pitchers that had pitched at least 200 innings, Murphy had these rankings in these categories when he had concluded his career with Cincinnati:

Rob Murphy
Pitcher
Born: (1960-05-26) May 26, 1960 (age 63)
Miami, Florida, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
September 13, 1985, for the Cincinnati Reds
Last MLB appearance
July 22, 1995, for the Florida Marlins
CategoryStatRank
ERA2.6015th
K/97.923rd
K/BB2.2610th
H/97.093rd
SLG%.3062nd
Inh. Runners21%1st

Boston Red Sox

In his first year with the Red Sox, Murphy collected career-highs with nine saves and 105.0 innings pitched behind closer Lee Smith in the Boston bullpen. Murphy’s 74 appearances eclipsed the team’s record for games pitched by a left-hander. The previous record was held by Sparky Lyle. His 105 innings pitched was also the most by a Red Sox left hander, strictly in relief, and the last time a left-handed pitcher threw over 100 innings, strictly in relief, in the American League. By pitching over 100 relief innings in both the American and National Leagues, Murphy joined a very short list of lefties to accomplish this feat. Only Darold Knowles and Ron Perranoski had done this before, both in 1970. Rob was named the Red Sox Fireman of the Year (best reliever) by the Boston area Baseball Writers.

1990 saw Murphy set a record for consecutive errorless games at start of career (332), previous record (175). The Red Sox won the Eastern Division of the American League.

In 1992, Rob set a dubious record for consecutive games without a win (146).

Murphy also pitched for the Mariners, Cardinals, Yankees, Dodgers and Marlins, retiring at the end of the 1995 season.

In an eleven-season career, Murphy, compiled a 32–38 record with thirty saves and a 3.64 ERA in 597 games. At his retirement, he ranked eighteenth in the history of baseball for left-handed relief appearances, and had played longer in the Major Leagues than any player in University of Florida history.

Life after baseball

A horse racing and thoroughbred enthusiast, Murphy has devised his own method for handicapping and breeding. Murphy's company, M375 Thoroughbreds, Inc., has bred, raised and raced such successful horses as Platinum Tiara, Swing and Miss, Diamond Studs, Strike Three and Golden Spikes.

Murphy has also been active in charity fund-raising his career. While with the Reds, he participated in several Muscular Dystrophy Association telethons in the Cincinnati area. In Boston, Murphy worked with the Red Sox in-house charities, the Jimmy Fund and the 65 Roses Foundation. He also participated in events benefiting the ALS Association. Back at home in Florida, Murphy has attended many Redbone Organization events to benefit Cystic Fibrosis. Murphy continues to share his experience and expertise with the youth of Martin County by coaching baseball and softball players of all ages.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bronson Arroyo</span> American baseball player (born 1977)

Bronson Anthony Arroyo is an American former professional baseball pitcher and musician. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates between 2000 and 2002, the Boston Red Sox from 2003 to 2005, the Cincinnati Reds from 2006 to 2013, the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2014, and the Reds again in 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Fogg</span> American baseball player (born 1976)

Joshua Smith Fogg is an American retired Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who played for several teams between 2001 and 2009. Fogg played college baseball for the University of Florida and was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the third round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his Major League debut for the White Sox on September 2, 2001, and also played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Colorado Rockies and Cincinnati Reds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Bannister</span> American baseball player (born 1981)

Brian Patrick Bannister is an American director of pitching for the Chicago White Sox. He is a former professional baseball starting pitcher who played for the New York Mets and Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2006 through 2010. He played college baseball as a walk-on for the University of Southern California. Bannister was selected by the Mets in the seventh round of the 2003 MLB draft. He previously served as assistant pitching coach and vice president of pitching development for the Boston Red Sox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Hammond</span> American baseball player (born 1966)

Christopher Andrew "Chris" Hammond is an American former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Billingham</span> American baseball player (born 1943)

John Eugene Billingham is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher from 1968 through 1980, most notably as a member of the Cincinnati Reds dynasty that won three National League pennants and two World Series championships between 1972 and 1977.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rube Foster (AL pitcher)</span> American baseball player

George "Rube" Foster was a Major League Baseball player. Foster was a right-handed pitcher with the Boston Red Sox from 1913 to 1917 and won two World Series championships with the team in 1915 and again in 1916.

Thomas Edward Bolton is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1987 through 1994 for the Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, and Baltimore Orioles. Listed at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) and 172 pounds (78 kg), he batted and threw left-handed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Lavender</span> American baseball player

James Sanford Lavender was an American professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball as a pitcher from 1912 to 1917. He played a total of five seasons with the Chicago Cubs of the National League from 1912 to 1916; after being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, he played an additional season in 1917. During his playing days, his height was listed at 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m), his weight as 165 pounds (75 kg), and he batted and threw right-handed. Born in Barnesville, Georgia, he began his professional baseball career in minor league baseball in 1906 at the age 22. He worked his way through the system over the next few seasons, culminating with a three-season stint with the Providence Grays of the Eastern League from 1909 to 1911.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derek Lilliquist</span> American baseball player (born 1966)

Derek Jansen Lilliquist is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher and pitching coach. He played for the Atlanta Braves (1989–1990), San Diego Padres (1990–1991), Cleveland Indians (1992–1994), Boston Red Sox (1995) and Cincinnati Reds (1996), and has coached for the St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals.

Thomas Andrew Murphy is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher.

William Henry McEnaney is an American former professional baseball player. He was a left-handed pitcher over parts of six seasons in Major League Baseball (1974–79) with the Cincinnati Reds, Montreal Expos, Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burke Badenhop</span> American baseball player (born 1983)

Burke Heinrich Badenhop is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Florida Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds. Badenhop played college baseball at Bowling Green State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Sale</span> American baseball player (born 1989)

Christopher Allen Sale is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox. He bats and throws left-handed and is 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) tall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Johnson (pitcher)</span> American baseball player (born 1990)

Christopher Brian Johnson is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox. Listed at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and 235 pounds (107 kg), he both throws and bats left-handed. Johnson was the 2012 recipient of the John Olerud Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Barnes (baseball)</span> American baseball player (born 1990)

Matthew David Barnes is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Boston Red Sox and Miami Marlins. Listed at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) and 210 pounds (95 kg), he bats and throws right-handed.

Karsten E. Whitson is an American college baseball coach and former pitcher. He is currently the pitching coach at the Florida International University. Whitson played college baseball at the University of Florida from 2011 to 2014 for head coach Kevin O'Sullivan. He played professionally from 2014 to 2016.

Robert John Scott is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Zachary Daniel Weiss is an American-Israeli professional baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Sherriff</span> American baseball player

Ryan Sebastian Sherriff is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, and Boston Red Sox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaun Anderson</span> American baseball player

Shaun Anderson is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Olmecas de Tabasco of the Mexican League. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays. He has also played in the KBO League for the Kia Tigers. He played college baseball for the University of Florida and was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the third round of the 2016 MLB draft.

References

  1. "Rob Murphy Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-02-21.
  2. "Rob Murphy Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-02-21.

Bibliography