HOF week (don't forget to enter the contest) rolls on with one of the greatest switch-hitters of all-time, Eddie Murray.
Eddie played in the Major Leagues for 21 seasons from 1977-97, and is best remembered for the twelve seasons he spent with the O's at the start of his career. Over that time, Eddie was one of the most feared hitters in all of baseball. He won the 1977 AL ROY, was voted into eight All-Star games, received MVP votes for nine seasons, and won three Gold Gloves and three Silver Slugger awards during his career, the majority of those honors coming between 1977-86. While not the worst trade in Orioles history, when the Orioles sent Eddie to the Dodgers in 1988 for Juan Bell, Brian Holton and Ken Howell, it was probably the worst trade in O's history at that time. Frankly put, Eddie's bag of bats would've been a fairer trade for those three.
Later in his career, Eddie reached the 3000 hit and 500 HR plateaus, and appropriately hit his 500th HR during his second stint with the Orioles in 1996. He is one of only four players to ever reach both of those magical numbers, the others being Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Rafael Palmeiro. Eddie was elected to the baseball Hall of Fame in 2003. I took this picture of his plaque on my trip to Cooperstown with Kalina during our Cooperstown-Niagara Falls-Toronto road trip in 2009.
I will always remember the EDDIE-EDDIE-EDDIE chants echoing through Memorial Stadium and later Camden Yards.
.jpg)
%20%2337%20Painter.jpg)
14 comments:
Eddie Murray - his 400th home run was one of the few highlights of the 1992 Mets season.
One of these days, I'll have to spend the cash to add his autograph to my collection.
I love Eddie's signature. Got him on a Crown card last year. I'm hoping to track him down some time if/when he does the TV and radio commentary this year.
What nice penmanship Mr. Murray has. I can actually read his sig! Cool pic of the plaque. Eddie's metal likeness looks angry.
I think that this is the first time I have ever seen Ed's auto and, like Dustin, I am quite impressed (and maybe a little bit jealous, as well).
Love the 86 Topps Murray auto... another blogger (forgot who) has a couple of 86 cards signed... they look awesome. It's almost like this set was made to have players sign their cards.
Paul- I tend to forget that he was with the Mets, but he did have a few good years in NY.
Aaron-I've been on the lookout for him around too. Would love to get him on my HOF plaque card.
Dustin- Agreed, it's pretty impressive for a HOFer.
Zach- Thanks!
Fuji- I forget exactly where I got this signed, but it's been in my collection for at least 15 years. Totally agree about the layout though.
Also, check out the contest entries page. You five should like what you see. http://greatoriolesautographproject.blogspot.com/2011/01/contest-entries.html
Eddie definitely belongs in the Os pantheon. By my estimation, he's second only to Brooks.
That Dodgers-O's trade may be the last great trade the Dodgers made (the Ethier-for-Milton Bradley deal was pretty good though).
That's what I remember about the Murray trade.
Matthew- I have to put Cal ahead of Eddie, because I saw him play a lot more and he has been the face of the O's during much of my life.
no- The Dodgers definitely got the best of the O's on that one!
It's a shame that Murray didn't endear himself to the media because he really doesn't get the credit he deserves for a long storied career.
BA Benny- very true.
Another clear-cut, readable signature. It's hard to go wrong with a guy named Clarence, he's my favorite angel, after earning his wings at the end of the movie. I just recently got Bobb Doerr's signature on an ROMLB and his sig is very readable as well, very steady, with the HOF inscription too. Not bad for 92 years young.
eddie-eddie-eddiE-eddIE-edDIE-eDDIE-EDDIE-EDDIE!-EDDIE!!-EDDIE!!!, yeah, that would be a cool memory.
Post a Comment