Utah Resident Gets Second Shot at MLB Hall of Fame

Baseball legend Dale Murphy—two-time National League MVP and a guy pretty much everyone in the game respects—is back in the spotlight. He’s got another shot at the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Murphy fell short in his earlier tries with the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) vote. Now, he’s one of eight former players on this year’s Contemporary Baseball Era Committee ballot.

This special committee looks at players whose careers wrapped up in the last few decades but somehow slipped through the cracks during the usual voting. Maybe this is finally the year Murphy gets that long-overdue call to Cooperstown.

Dale Murphy’s Impressive Career

Murphy played from 1976 to 1993 and was, for a while, one of the most feared hitters in baseball. He spent most of his career with the Atlanta Braves, but also wore Phillies and Rockies uniforms before he was done.

His stats over nearly two decades are tough to ignore:

• Over 2,100 career hits
• 1,266 RBIs
• 398 home runs
• Seven-time All-Star selection
• Two-time National League MVP (1982, 1983)

Murphy’s reputation for playing clean and giving his all won him plenty of fans and respect in the clubhouse. Still, BBWAA voters never gave him more than 23.2% support—nowhere near the 75% he’d need for induction.

The Decline That Hurt His Hall of Fame Chances

Late-career injuries slowed Murphy down, hurting his numbers and his Hall of Fame case. He was a force in the early and mid-1980s, but things tailed off in the 1990s.

That drop-off has always been the main reason voters hesitate to put him in the Hall.

Murphy’s Road Through the Committees

This isn’t Murphy’s first rodeo with alternate Hall of Fame ballots. It’s actually his fourth time since 2013, and his second shot with the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee.

This committee gives overlooked players, managers, and execs another chance to get a fair shake.

Who He’s Competing Against

This year’s ballot is stacked. Murphy’s up against some all-time greats, but a few bring plenty of baggage:

• Barry Bonds – MLB’s all-time home run leader, but PED allegations follow him everywhere
• Roger Clemens – Seven Cy Youngs, but also linked to steroids
• Gary Sheffield – 500 home runs, PED rumors too
• Carlos Delgado – Big-time power hitter
• Don Mattingly – Yankees captain, batting champ, fan favorite
• Fernando Valenzuela – 1981 NL Cy Young and Rookie of the Year winner
• Jeff Kent – Most home runs by a second baseman, and yes, BYU ties

Murphy’s Clean Approach and Advocacy

Murphy’s never had any PED cloud over his head. He’s been vocal about keeping baseball clean and pushing for integrity, even after he hung up his cleats.

That makes him stand out on a ballot where a lot of big numbers come with question marks.

Beyond Cooperstown: Murphy’s Role in Utah Baseball

These days, Murphy’s a big part of Big League Utah, the push to bring Major League Baseball to Salt Lake City. He’s got the leadership chops and the name recognition to make people pay attention.

Between his Hall of Fame hopes and his drive to grow the game locally, Murphy’s still right in the thick of things. It’s hard not to root for a guy like that.

What’s Next?

The 16-member Contemporary Baseball Era Committee will vote in December. Each candidate needs 75% support—so, 12 yes votes—to make it in.

For Murphy, this is one more shot to convince baseball historians and former players who really get what he brought to the game, both on and off the field.

If he pulls it off, Dale Murphy won’t just join baseball’s most exclusive club. His induction would mean a lot for players who played clean, steered clear of scandal, and still left their mark.

December’s vote will say whether one of the sport’s true class acts finally gets his spot in Cooperstown.

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