Former MVP Murphy talks Braves, faith, life in Myrtle Beach visit

Dale Murphy doesn’t remember specific games from his storied career in baseball.

Because what stands out most in the two-time National League Most Valuable Player’s mind is the bond he shared with his teammates. He carries it with him – to this day – wherever he goes.

“We’re all part of teams,” Murphy said during an appearance at Faith and Family night during Sunday’s Myrtle Beach Pelicans game at TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballapark. “The most important thing I recall from being part of the Atlanta Braves and professional baseball organizations is my teammates. That’s what I remember and that’s one of my messages: We’re all part of some kind of team. Whether it’s a family team, work team, school team, volunteer team, church team and really, our most important thing is to figure out how to be a good teammate.”

Twenty-three years removed from playing in the majors, Murphy is still practicing what he preaches as he tries to lend a hand when possible.

“I just remember being with my teammates and trying to get through a season. That’s what life is like – let’s be good teammates and try to get through life. We all need help sometimes,” said Murphy, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Pelicans’ game against the Carolina Mudcats during his third visit to the Grand Strand. “Even in my best years, I still needed help. Everybody needs help, and sometimes your years aren’t that good.”

But in 1982 and 1983, that wasn’t the case for Murphy. Those were the best years of his career as he won back-to-back National League MVP awards and made a name for himself in Atlanta. He would eventually leave the Braves after 14 seasons, but Murphy’s heart is still in Atlanta.

So, a trip to Myrtle Beach – where the Atlanta Braves are the closest Major League affiliate – helped rekindle those memories.

“I’m very blessed and lucky just being able to play baseball,” said Murphy, who has over 2,000 hits and nearly 400 home runs in his career. “This is Braves country here, and it’s fun to be able to relive some of the old days with some longtime Braves fans.”

Murphy – who once served as president of the Massachusetts Boston Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – also spoke to fans Sunday about his faith and what’s important in life.

“It keeps me grounded in what’s most important, because you sometimes get distracted in life,” Murphy said. “Our culture puts a lot of value on sports, notoriety and being famous and whatnot. In our culture, it makes those things seem important. Number one, it’s not. Number two, it doesn’t last very long. In the grand scheme of things, the notoriety and popularity is very fleeting. So, if you get your self-esteem and purpose in life from stuff that doesn’t last very long, it can make life harder. One of the things I’ve learned from my faith in God is that it keeps me grounded in those things that last forever and are more important.”

Murphy helped pass those values to his eight children and nine grandchildren, with whom he loves to spend time with.

“We need to keep the things that are most important first in our lives,” Murphy said. “Not every day in life is hitting a home run to win the game. Most days in life, we’re just trying to scratch out a hit here or there – trying to have a good day. Again, we all need help sometimes. I tell my kids that all the time, the most important thing is to be a good teammate.”

This story was originally published June 26, 2016 at 9:49 PM with the headline "Former MVP Murphy talks Braves, faith, life in Myrtle Beach visit."