Eddie Murray

Eddie Murray was born on February 24, 1956 in Los Angeles, California. He was one of the most promising and reliable and dominant hitters in the history of baseball from the late 1970s through the 1990s. He is one of the only three players to compile both 3,000 hits and 500 home runs. He hit his 500th career homer into Camden Yards' right field bleachers in 1997. His resume witnessed various highs and lows, victories, admiration that dissolved into resentment, hostility and ultimately recovery. In his playing career of 21 years he earned the distinction of being the finest and the most feared switch hitters to have ever play the game. He even earned the name “Steady Eddie.” He became the pick of the Baltimore Orioles in the 3rd round of the 1973 amateur draft. Prior of making his major league debut on April 7, 1977, he played in several minor leagues also.

But the Orioles lost the AL east division title to Milwaukee Bucks and that too on the last day of the season. In 1983 as the first baseman and cleanup hitter he helped the Orioles to achieve Fall Classic victory. Murray exploded two homers in the Series-winning Game 5 victory against Philadelphia. On August 26th, 1985, Murray tied several Baltimore records by hitting three homers compiling nine RBIs and 13 total bases against the California Angels. His career with Baltimores ended in 1986.

 Gradually his cordial relations with the  fans and the media started deteriorating. Preceding the 1989 season, the Orioles management was left with no choice but to trade him. Incidentally he earned many offensive records for the team who endowed him with all their love and admiration. His post-Orioles time was even more humiliating. He was labeled as a self-centered, lethargic ballplayer. With a notorious name stuck to him he played for the Dodgers, Mets, and Indians. He played very diligently for these teams. His most memorable was his 1990 campaign with L.A. when he batted a career high .330. In 1992, Murray signed as a free agent with the New York Mets where he spent two seasons. In 1994, Murray became the Cleveland Indians procurement. During the mid of 1996 season the Cleveland Indians traded him back to Baltimore Orioles where he promptly slammed a home run in his first game. Once again in the jersey of Orioles he proved to very promising. He led them to their first playoff appearance since the 1983 World Series after grabbing the American League's wildcard spot. Murray finally reformed his image and restored the mutual affection. Murray always wore #33. Preceding the 1998 season he declared his retirement from the major league and rejoined the Orioles as a bench coach. He became the US Baseball Hall of Fame inductee in 2003.