Sports Columnists

By Frank

September 16, 2005 11:53 PM | Link to this

 Dale Murphy is my all time favorite Atlanta Brave!  He was a class act on and off the field.  He, indeed, was and is a role model.  Thank you Dale Murphy for all that you did for the Atlant Braves and their fans!

By Pete

September 17, 2005 12:25 AM | Link to this

I wish that unkowing people would not hold Dale Murphy as a role model. Please reseach the Mormon sect and know what Dale Murphy beleives before making him into any type of model.

By astounded

September 17, 2005 12:40 AM | Link to this

What the heck are you smokin' Pete? If you can't say that Dale Murphy is worth looking up to, you're an idiot. Leave religion out of it. He set a positve example EVERY day of his major league career.

While I generally agree that society should not view sports and the people who play them as icons, Murphy is certainly near the top for overall moral behavior.

By Jon Avery

September 17, 2005 01:51 AM | Link to this

Mormon or not, Murph is a class act and always was in his playing days.

Dale Murphy is a credit to MLB players for now and forever.

That is all a given. Now let us debate whether he should make the HOF…

By Kathy Hembree

September 17, 2005 02:51 AM | Link to this

Dale Murphy IS a class act. In April 1983 my 9 yr old daughter lost a leg to cancer. Dale (and Nancy) came to hospital numerous times and were incredible to all of us. My miracle girl is 32 now and we still talk about Dale!

By Larry

September 17, 2005 02:54 AM | Link to this

Hey Pete, climb off of your pedestal and stop being a bigot. Dale Murphy is a class act and an outstanding human being.

By Colin

September 17, 2005 04:10 AM | Link to this

When I was growing up in Atlanta during the 80s, the Braves were just awful. Because not many people went to the Fulton County Stadium to watch the Braves, the Fulton and DeKalb County schools used to give out 20 free Braves tickets to the students who got straight ‘A’s. I worked my butt off to get straight ‘A’s so I could go to the Braves games, not because I cared much about the lousy team but because I wanted to see Dale hit one out of the ballpark. In more times than not, he delivered. I was the happiest boy in Atlanta whenever Murph hit a homerun. One time, I asked for his autograph after the game, and he could not have been any nicer, asking me about my name, family and the school I attended. And I will never forget this: He told me to “keep up the good work at school,” which I took to my heart. His encouragement, no matter how brief, must have meant a lot to this little boy at the time because I ended up getting degrees from Harvard and UC Berkeley and am now teaching at Seoul National University in Korea. The people who grew up in Atlanta during the 80s and followed Braves will probably never forget Dale Murphy, the nicest ball player that ever lived, and a man who had a hand in making my childhood a very happy one.

By Chad

September 17, 2005 04:32 AM | Link to this

Moore couldn’t say nice things about Dale when the Braves retired his jersey, and I’m not crazy about this article either. I never read his stuff. I only read this because of Murphy’s name in title. Murphy is class PERIOD! On the field, and off many more players could stand to read Dale’s book. More parents would not be afraid to let their children watch ESPN highlights for fear that little Jimmy’s hero just got busted buying crack, or beating his wife. Moore apparently has issues. who knows why?

By Tony

September 17, 2005 07:24 AM | Link to this

Not only is Moore a bitter racist, he is a very mediocre, at best, writer. How the heck did he get a column? If this column were to be turned in at any local community college as a graded paper, it’s a C, at best. If the AJC’s motive is to keep him on just to stir things up and sell a few papers, at the expense of quality journalism, then they have the right man. Dale Murphy has more class in his pinky than moore has in his entire body. Murphy is 49, retired, and lives 3000 miles away, why take shots at him? How many MVP’s did moore win?, how much of moore’s time has been spent raising children and working in his church! great job moore, great job AJC, you just ran off another, formerly, home delivered reader.

By Ed

September 17, 2005 07:26 AM | Link to this

Dale is a class act. Who cares what his religious views are. The bottom line is that he lives what he believes, not like the athlete who crosses himself then stutts after the touchdown. Later he stuffs himself with crack and steroids and beats his wife or girlfriend.

By VICTOR

September 17, 2005 07:46 AM | Link to this

DITTO!

By Ken

September 17, 2005 07:52 AM | Link to this

Dale Murphy may or may not have had Hall of Fame stats, that is debatable. However, if Kirby Puckett is in so should Murphy, not debatable.

By David

September 17, 2005 08:22 AM | Link to this

Professional sports desperately needs more men of character like Dale Murphy.

By DinkDawg

September 17, 2005 09:03 AM | Link to this

Dale Murphy may have not been as opinionated as some folks would like, but lets face it, a lot of people are just not as straight forward as others. Murph is simply a class act. The way he played the game of baseball gives him the right to speak on negative issues and things that are going on in and around baseball and other sports. As a kid watching the Braves, I just remember how his facial expression would always be the same no matter what the situation was. I always admired Murph for being so cool and collected under pressure. I also remember the times when he would be dirty from head to toe and wonder how he could be so dirty and make it look so easy. I see a lot of Murph in Jeff Francoeur. True Braves fans will always hold Dale Murphy a place in Atlantans hearts. Thank you Dale for the great memories and I wish that you and your family could have experienced the Braves success with Bobby Cox. What a great fit that would have been.

And I’m Gone, DinkDawg

By Rick

September 17, 2005 09:04 AM | Link to this

The only reason Moore has has a collum is because you cannot fire a black man in Atlanta.

By Dave

September 17, 2005 09:24 AM | Link to this

Dale Murphy and Hall of Fame? I agree with Ken—if Kirby Puckett made it then Dale should be in the Hall.

By Darrell Tanner

September 17, 2005 09:28 AM | Link to this

I’ve always had the utmost respect for Dale Murphy as a ballplayer and gentleman. To me, it’s an honor to wear my number 3 Atlanta jersey to home and road games whenever possible !! As bad as the Braves teams were in the late 70’s and early 80’s, it was always a pleasure to watch Murph play !! Even though I’m 46 years old, when I put my jersey on, I still can recall watching him in centerfield !! As for the Hall of Fame, YES !!! HE SHOULD BE THERE !!

By Dewan

September 17, 2005 09:54 AM | Link to this

What article were you reading reference anything being racist? So every time a black man writes about a white man it has to be racist. Let’s think for a minute and let T. Moore’s words salivate. Murphy was praised for what he is not, degraded for what he wasn’t. I do recall this same writer saying the same things about just about every Atlanta athlete minus the one’s who were vocal. Murphy will go down as one of the all time greats in this city and in pro baseball but he was an unassuming superstar. There is nothing wrong with being like Murphy and Murphy said so himself. Moore has done nothing but praise The Murph as have so many baseball fans. Is Moore racist because he says Andruw is quiet and seems nonchalant on the field at times or if he talks about Chipper and his past problems with infidelity and adultery? Think before you call people something that they aren’t. Racism is a very harsh topic and there is no reason to bring it up unless warranted. It is a shame that a few people can make the whole seem worse. Think positive and you will be positive and that is what a pro like The Murph would say.

By Brian

September 17, 2005 09:56 AM | Link to this

My favorite childhood memories were going to Braves games in the eighties and watching Murphy. No player since- not even Maddux or Smoltz- can come close to Murphy as my favorite Brave ever and I am know that I will feel the same in forty years. For 100 loss seasons those sure were special times.

By Mark S

September 17, 2005 10:33 AM | Link to this

Murf may have been quite but he positively affected more people than most players. He was the guy kids all looked up to and should be in the Hall!!

By clint ellison

September 17, 2005 10:59 AM | Link to this

Murf will be in the HOF one day, elected by the Veteran’s Committee. The same thing has happened with other great players like Nellie Fox. Murf had the lousy luck of having played with a pretty bad group of supporting players for years, and yet the guy still won not one but two MVP awards. How much better would Dale’s stats have been if he had played with good hitters above and below him? Would he already be in the Hall of Fame if he had played in New York? I don’t know whether Terence Moore is a racist or not; but I get the feeling he wishes Murf were black so he could tout him for the HOF.

By Shelley A.

September 17, 2005 11:19 AM | Link to this

Growing up in Atlanta no one was a bigger superstar than Dale Murphy! I thought everyone knew him. I found out differently when I left the south and moved to the midwest! He has to be the most genuinely nice man that I have ever known! Go Braves!

By Mike Conger

September 17, 2005 11:31 AM | Link to this

First off I must say that if Gary Carter made it to the HOF along with Ryne Sandburg, then where the heck is Dale Murphy? Ditto for Puckett. So what he was 2 homers shy of 400. A person just needs to look at his stats once and it’s a no-brainer.

By john c

September 17, 2005 11:32 AM | Link to this

I think dale is a stand up guy.Mr Moore has a right to his own opinion.

By john c

September 17, 2005 11:41 AM | Link to this

Murf is WHAT I CALLED A CLASS ACT BASEBALLPLAYER.MR MOORE HAS A RIGHT TO HIS OWN OPINION.

By GT

September 17, 2005 11:58 AM | Link to this

If Pete Rose can be kept out of the HOF for his character, why can’t a guy like Murphy be let in for his. As for Moore, the only reason he wrote this was to offset that trash he wrote the other day about the NFL dropping the ball. “See I don’t back the thug all the time. I wrote about a white guy, even though I spun it to let everybody know that even Murphy thinks my man Jones is better. Kind of like how I spun it for Hank the other day being better than modern day homerun hitters.” You ever wonder why there is just one black editorial writer for the sports section? I can promise you it is not because the paper is racist. Moore you are making it hard for the next black writer because you are one dimensional. I remember an article you wrote years ago about M.J. You were putting him down because he wasn’t giving enough back to his people. M.J. is a class person the world loves whether he is black or purple. He is an example for a black or white child on how to conduct yourself. He gave back more to his people by being what he is. Moore’s obit won’t read the same.

By Chad

September 17, 2005 12:10 PM | Link to this

I don’t see any connection with Moore’s total lack of credibility, and racism. I think to throw that out there it takes some credibilty away from the fact that he is a poor writer, and makes it sound like people don’t like him because he’s black. The ink in his articles is the same color as everyone else’s. It’s what he writes that makes him a joke.

By KDawg

September 17, 2005 12:20 PM | Link to this

I also got drawn in to reading Moore’s article because it was about Dale Murphy. And once again I am mad at myself for reading his column. The statement is true that everyone is entitled to an opinion. My opinion is Moore is a racist. I will never pay for “the rag”.

By Carlos

September 17, 2005 12:22 PM | Link to this

Dale Murphy was a class act to me also. I’m a African American male from Alabama who has been watching the Braves since the mid 80s. My aunt would take us to the ball games and I would always wait anxiously to see what the Murph would do. I can’t say that I remember people questioning his leadership back then but of course I was a young kid and I could care less what was going on in the locker room. This is professional sports ladies and gentlemen….some people are very vocal leaders and others try and lead by example. You can’t please everyone no matter what profession you’re in so I think people should lay the leadership questions to rest. I would like to say I am offended by some of the comments here where people are saying they wouldn’t let there kids watch sports center because their favorite sports star is buying crack. Unfortunately, that’s the type of world we live in today. I for one don’t condone any of that activity but there’s only one judge in this world. So when people throw those racial terms out there (and if you didn’t think it was) maybe you should have said cocaine instead of crack since that’s where it derived.

By GT

September 17, 2005 12:49 PM | Link to this

Chad that is true to a point. Any time one brings race into a topic he or she risk appearing bias especially when it is every conversation. I think that is why most educated people dodge the subject. I will ask one question. We both agree the man can’t write, so why does he continue to have this job?

By johnny jones

September 17, 2005 01:04 PM | Link to this

dale murphy is my favorite player ever by far to me he is the symbol of the braves even more than smoltz chipper justice even andrew u dont have to be vocal to be a leader actions speak louder than words

By mjd1

September 17, 2005 01:04 PM | Link to this

While I don’t find Moore’s comments to be particularly racist, I do think he has a difficult time expressing enthusiasm for the accomplishments of a truly great ball player and human being. If Murphy had played with the Braves of the past 14 years, under Bobby Cox as manager and John Schurholz as GM, who knows what his stats might have been! Murph always was a class act and he deserves the recognition of HOF status.

Andruw Jones is having an incredible year, and I will be the first to applaud if he walks away with the MVP award. However, he is not having his fantastic year because of his color. He is producing because of his terrific talent which has finally developed into solid consistency, impressive teamwork, leadership and a commitment to winning.

Other than improving his journalistic skills and writing, I would like to see Terence Moore get the chip off his shoulder and either learn to cherish and embrace Atlanta, Bobby Cox and the Braves or move on. “Delta is ready when you are,” and if you don’t like Atlanta, Terence, I’m sure you can find another city and another ball team to deluge with your supercilious, pseudo-intellectual sports analysis and critiques. Some other city many learn to appreciate you and your fumbling writing in the way you seem to think you deserve to be appreciated. I’m tired of your knocking the hometown teams and tired of your writing tinged with bitterness and sarcasm.

By steve

September 17, 2005 01:14 PM | Link to this

Being a braves fan was sometimes hard to be, back in the early eighties, but we always liked to watch Dale Murphy, he is still my wife,s favorite brave, We miss YOU MURPH.

By Neil

September 17, 2005 01:54 PM | Link to this

I must have read a different column. I didn’t see anything that sounded in the least bit racist and i thought it was well written. Dale Murphy was a great player who often laughed at himself for being a bit milque-toast (yes that’s the correct spelling) in the personality department. Good read, Terry I liked it.

By James

September 17, 2005 02:03 PM | Link to this

In the Summer of 1987 I was listening to a Giants broadcast of a game with the Braves. I will never forget late in the game, my Giants were being taken to the cleaners, and Murphy comes to bat. Hits one clean out of the park. Murphy comes to bat later that same inning after Giant pitching served up the whole starting 9. The same inning Murphy hits another home run. I remember when he strolled back to the plate, I just knew he was going to hit antoher one out, and he did. I became a Murphy fan from that moment on.

By ian

September 17, 2005 02:53 PM | Link to this

As a child I met Dale Murphy after a Braves game and was thrilled when he signed my pennant. It was way after the game and just about everyone had cleared out so Murph stuck around and chatted with my dad for a minute. He is a great guy.

As for Terence Moore? I don’t know if he’s a great guy or not. I don’t know if he’s a racist or not. I live in Alaska, not Atlanta — so I don’t really care. I do think that T.M. isn’t a very good writer though. I rarely read his columns…I only read this one because it was about Murphy.

I guess this though pretty much sums it up….I’d rather read Chop Chick than Terence Moore! That speaks volumes…

By BigJon

September 17, 2005 03:00 PM | Link to this

So maybe the racism in THIS T.Moore column wasn’t as overt. However, hidden racism is still racism. T.Moore NEVER calls out or puts down a black athlete. Instead, he seems simlpy to want to deconstruct white athletes. I don’t know what Mr. Moore’s problem is with white athletes but his journalism is - at best - unprofessional veiled racism and - at worst unbridled contempt for those NOT of color.

What is perhaps even worse is the fact that the AJC permits this behavior to continue. If a white writer were to continually denounce black athletes, the cries of racism would run so rampant that we’d have Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton in the news protesting. However, when a black journalist espouses racist opinions toward white athletes, the AJC feels a need to print it. The AJC should be embaressed when it prints his columns.

By BigJon

September 17, 2005 03:03 PM | Link to this

Dewan - I think you need to look up the meaning of the word “salivate” before you use it again. I really have NO CLUE what you intended there, but “to salivate” means “to drool.”

So, you wrote “Let’s think for a minute and let T. Moore’s words (drool).”

Huh????????

By Scott

September 17, 2005 03:16 PM | Link to this

Anyone who wants a copy of the new book can find it at www.thescoutingreport.net. This book celebrates all that is good about professional sports, and it is written by a man who backs up his words with his actions. Murph is, and always will be a class act.

By Rex

September 17, 2005 04:05 PM | Link to this

I met Dale Murphy at a church meeting in my little town in Northern California in 1988. He was positive and inspiring at the time and everything I’ve ever seen about him since has been the same. I watched him in a game against the Giants later that year and cheered for ‘Buckethead’ (as he called himself) throughout the game. As so many have said above, Dale Murphy is truly a quality person and he’s been a great example for those fortunate enough to be around him. For the guy above ripping Mormons, I’ll take Murphy’s example of the church anyday.

By Cristal Grise

September 17, 2005 05:08 PM | Link to this

I have always loved Dale Murphy. He has always been my favorite baseball player. That was my favorite thing from the time I was a very small child was to watch Dale play baseball on TV. He is a great guy and he should definately be in the HOF.

By Eric Nelson

September 17, 2005 05:50 PM | Link to this

There can be no doubt that Dale is right on the money with his commentary.

Would any of you be willing to work on the project of getting him into the hall of fame?

I have been upset the past 3 years with his absurdly slipping popularity from the nitwitted voters.

I propose we form a group that puts together a binder of his many accomplishments.

At a time when baseball’s is so tarnished, isn’t it time to celebrate one of its most underappreciated stars?

Consider this…..the main claim on his not being in the hall of fame is his stat slide that began in 1988.

Joe Morgan of Red fame hit .250 or LOWER 6 of the last 7 seasons he played. The true definition of mediocrity is a .250 hitter, and yet every time anyone talks about him they mention his big RED machine days.

Morgan was great from 1970 to 1978. Most of the rest of his career was non descript.

Just like Murphy, he had a great run, although Murphy’s was really longer.

Incredibly, Murphy re-designed the center fielder position. He was a POWER hitter AND a GOLD GLOVE winner 5 times, all for a guy who came up as a……………CATCHER!!!!

When exactly is the last time a catcher was converted to a GOLD GLOVE power hitting center fielder?????

Some of you may claim Biggio….who of course was a catcher when he came up, moved to 2nd and then to center.

One problem with that…..he NEVER won a gold glove as a center fielder.

Are you willing to actually do something for Murph?

eoniii@yahoo.com

By salivator

September 17, 2005 05:51 PM | Link to this

Race and baseball - America’s pastimes. I was confused after reading several of the comments that referenced Terence Moore’s rampant racism. Then it occurred to me…when Moore closes by saying that Andruw can never accomplish with a bat what Dale has done with a pen, he was trying to say that BLACK MEN CAN’T WRITE! Cancel my subscription! I am sick and tired of these racist Black men!

By TonyDTiger

September 17, 2005 05:59 PM | Link to this

A very sad day in my life was the day that I learned that The Murph had been traded to the Phillies. Ole Murph never looked right in any other uniform except the ones with Atlanta or Braves across his chest. I don’t think anybody can question his dedication to anything in his life that was meaningful to him, whether it was baseball, the Braves, his family or his church. I’ve just got to believe that in the end right wins out, and that Murph will indeed, one day, be enshrined at Cooperstown. For so many of us die-hard Braves fans (I’m not talking about the ones who jumped on the bandwagon in ‘91 here) who endured season after season of disappointment, for many of those years Murph WAS our shining star and the reason that many of us followed the Braves. He will always hold a special place in our hearts!

Now, as far as Terrence Moore is concerned, nobody has to read many of his articles to see that if ever there was a racist… he’s one as well. While this particular article is not as racially influenced as many of his articles are, he does indeed dance around the issue pretty good. I’ve always thought that he and Joe Morgan should get together on a Sunday evening ESPN broadcast and have a contest to see who could make the most racially driven comments. Mr. Morgan is pretty good at it himself, but I’ll put my money on T.M. on this one.

By Lee

September 17, 2005 06:00 PM | Link to this

Hey Terence, now that you’ve ridiculed Dale, who’s next? Elvis or Superman?

By Vincent J

September 17, 2005 06:14 PM | Link to this

Dale was the only bright spot in Atlanta during summer months for several years. No matter how bad the team he gave 150%. Dale has never been outspoken because the Atlanta Braves have never supported or wanted such a player. They wanted team player who kept a low profile. Look at players who got out of line and caused a rift, they were gone quick (Ex, Deion, Rocker, JD Drew, BJ Surhoff and even Sheffield). This is a team who has always looked to the Coach to be the leader and for the most part it has worked.

If you look at some of the teams Dale played fro when he left Atlanta such as Philly and the Rockies, he was praised for his leadership and clubhouse demenor.

I feel Dale should be in the HOF along with Andre Dawson. If Dale would have done what he did in NY or if he would have been a menance to society off the field and got n news every night then he would be a shoe in. But because he was a family man and a respectable player who talk with his glove, bat and love for the game that they chose to deny him his rightful place in the history of the game.

By Dan

September 17, 2005 06:21 PM | Link to this

I grew up loving the Braves. When I was 15 Atlanta brought my favorite NL team to my hometown. I went as a young man to admire my heroes in the sixties [Hank Roberto Stargell Eddie Phil Seaver and many many more] I watched Pittsburgh walk 9 straight one night and saw a young catcher throw the ball to center field alot #3 was special like the ones I mentioned. He loved the game and played as a kid would play in the backyard. Mr Moore wrote an accurate description of my memories of Dale ..heck he didn’t complain or try to be the vocal leader Mr Moore spoke of ..He led by example he showed how to play with your heart..I personally don’t care for the sarcasm mr Moore often writes and being an avid fan I disagree with his opinions sometimes but thats all they are to me. I know whats up with my team and only rely on writers to give me the tidbits I miss …Dale Murphy was and is first a family man and always put them in the right order of his life I met him in 1983 repairing his telephone service and he was with his kids being a daddy ..just a real sweetheart of a guy very genuine cordial but we didn’t matter he was with his kids….I appreciate the heads up from Mr Moore about Dale’s book and I respect the humble comments Dale made about the BEST centerfielder to play the game [in my opinion] So yes I love the Murp but Smoltz is my favorite now Heck my dog is named Smoltzie I still go to 30 or so games a year and I still remeber the great throws and massive HR’s Dale shared with us He wasn’t like big Bobby Horner whinning all the time he just played the GAME like the kid he was…

By Vincent J

September 17, 2005 06:27 PM | Link to this

I have seen Moore on ESPN and he is trying to be Atlanta’s version of Steven A. Smith.

By kmartin

September 17, 2005 08:46 PM | Link to this

Racism? C’mon folks, don’t be so thin skinned. I loved Murph as much as anyone, and he did walk on water. However, everyone has quirks and flaws, and Terence is simply reconfirming those that we knew already. Good stuff TM, I think that I speak for the vast majority of folks who don’t immediately jump to racial thoughts anytime they see legitimate criticism of a public figure.

Go #3! HOF baby!

KMartin

By Larry F.

September 17, 2005 09:41 PM | Link to this

Well K.Martin, you don’t speak for the majority of folks who immediately jump to thoughts of racism upon seeing Terrence Moore’s name or face. Had another writer’s name been attached to the same article, the word racism would not have appeared in these Comments. I too, kick myself after finding out I’m reading a T.M. column and cease immediately. Of course I’ll never forget his column on the shortage of white wide receivers in the NFL. Or the lack of white quarterbacks in the NFL. Can you?

By kmartin

September 17, 2005 10:36 PM | Link to this

I was not commenting on previous articles, or other comments Mr. Moore has made. I was only reading this one about Dale Murphy. Can’t really find anything racist about it.

By JKS

September 17, 2005 10:53 PM | Link to this

I too benefited from the Braves being lousy in the 70s and received tickets for straight A’s. But from those tickets, I grown to love baseball and the Braves! When I was in college we used to go sit out in the bleacher seats and beat on which Brave would be the best for the night. Dale Murphy was my favorite!!!! Granted I don’t agree with his religious beliefs but he is head and shoulders above most of the athletetes out there today. I remember getting my picture made with him on a picture day - I treasured it for years as my mom did her with Phil Niekro. So now, even though I don’t live in Atlanta anymore, I still route for the Braves…

By m.thomas

September 17, 2005 11:23 PM | Link to this

T.Moore keep doing what u are doing because if we didn’t have u as a writer we would have no one to have a voice as an african american in the sport column. all the people that call u a racist are scared to hear the truth.

By m. thomas

September 17, 2005 11:35 PM | Link to this

to all u people who call t. moore a racist and u don’t read his columns because of it go read Furman Bisher and Mark Bradley boring a— columns!!!

By BB FAN

September 18, 2005 12:19 AM | Link to this

I think the point of Terrance Moore being a racist is because he never has anything good to say about anybody except african americans. He even dogged Andruw in his last column and came to the conclusion that his 2005 season was good , but not good for all time. I don’t read every one of Moore’s columns but I have read enough to see that he is pro african american that he ends up being anti anybody not african american.

Dale Murphy was a great ball player and deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. 398 HRs , 160+ SBs, 1250+ RBIs, 350 2Bs, 2100+ hits and 5 gold gloves are great numbers for the 80’s before all of the steroids. He was one of the best 5 players in the 80’s. Right up there with Rice, Dawson, and Schmidt. On top of that, he was one of best role models ever. He was one of the first centerfielders to hit for average, power, steal bases and win gold gloves. Even though, he has a career .265 AVG, he hit .281 or better 7 times. including .300 2 times. It was his last 4 years or so that brought his average down so much.

By Joe Roman

September 18, 2005 12:38 AM | Link to this

Just because you may disagree with a columnist’s opinions doesn’t make him a bad writer. Moore writes very well. His lead-in hits the nail on the head, and Murphy is honest enough to admit it too. Dale should have taken a little leadership during his playing days. It sure couldn’t have made those teams any worse. Over thirty years, I covered both rock and roll and sports. There are ball players who make Led Zeppelin look like choir boys and some like Murphy really are choirboys. The vast number are average people with flaws and virtues. In other words, it’s just another bell-shaped curve. As far as I’m concerned, fretting over the bad guys and mooning over the saints are equal wastes of time. I grew up in a family of fine people, but we kind of hid in the back of the house and didn’t go to the door when the Mormons or Jehovah’s Witnesses came calling. I’m sure he’s done a lot of good things and all, but I’m thnakful he and most of the Mormons are in Utah. I have a lot of company among other people who don’t like being told how to live by others. Read Murphy’s book if you want. Just don’t point out passages to me.

By jeff

September 18, 2005 01:01 AM | Link to this

Thanks be to Dale for being a great guy! He was my first jersey, poster, autograph, and sports hero in general… As for Mr. Moore, he has ALWAYS played the antagonist. It is his role at the AJC.

jeff

By glennbo

September 18, 2005 01:14 AM | Link to this

Murphy was a nice guy, but cheese-loouisse, how can Braves fans overlook his lack of leadership on his team. Rolly-Polly Bob Horner had to be the team captain for who knows what reason. Murphy being true to his sweetie and drinking milk meant nothing in the playoffs in 1982 and the pennant races in 83 and 84. Him being the only bright spot on dismal teams from 85 to 90 really, if you think about it, was kind of lazy. How much did those homeruns mean?
Dan Kolb saved 39 games at the weiner races in Milwaukee. Those games meant nothing. Atlanta fans dig into him like rabid dogs. But Murphy is a saint and if you bash him you are obviously a racist or yankee. Quit looking thru the rose colored rear view mirror. Murphy was never as good as he might have appeared. How else do you explain the short career and lack of any good postseason memories.

By Joe Roman

September 18, 2005 01:36 AM | Link to this

Don’t some of you Terrence Moore haters feel a teensey bit uncomfortable calling him a racist. Hello? He’s a sports columnist, folks. He’s not an investigative report digging into your family’s “after hours activities”. We whities like to think racism is over. Wishful thinking produces a nice, warm feeling. It requires us to do nothin’ but feel pround-of ourselves-at the end of a hard day but as at an impromptu post-office happy hour when they hit the right level of buzz, closeness, anger and the Need To Tell Somebody, a black person will tell you how something said, a whispered word they were supposed or maybe not supposed to hear, a sneering look and occasionally hearing the Big One. Being called “N****” can generarate anger, passion, sorrow, depression, hopelessness and countless other feelings all making you feel all that you are working for, all you are will have to take backseat to your blackness. The Feeling Being black will always be Job One.
Think about that stuff before you call a black person ‘racist’. Sometimes calling a black person ‘racist” may provide the some refreshment. It might spare them the other cross they bear, being called an Uncle Tom. You may criticize Terrence Moore because you’d like to take his job. Would you take it if you had to take his skin color too?

By Dan

September 18, 2005 03:09 AM | Link to this

At least Moore is coming up with new garbage to write about, besides the usual tripe of constantly bemoaning the fact that JS doesn’t bring back Fred McGriff, Marquis Grissom or Brian Jordan… oh wait, damn.

By a-dawg

September 18, 2005 12:41 PM | Link to this

if we wouldn’t have traded murph to the phills in ‘90 for a bunch of scrubs, we would have won the ‘91 world series.

and yes, this a philosophically sound argument with no fallacies whatsoever, as i am speaking with the voice of logic and reason over that of emotion. just like everyone else on this board.

By JayDawg

September 18, 2005 04:04 PM | Link to this

Pete, You are a pretty much the lowest of them all. I have friends who are Mormon and respect them. Last time i checked, role models come in all different religions. Why don’t you go research the Catholics while you are at it when the Pope is talked about next. He is just as much as a role model. Get a life and go be your own king. Loser. You out to be saying sorry to whoever you worship for that great Christlike attribute you have. Your like the priests who passed the dying bum but saved by a Samaritan.

“ROLE MODEL”
A person who serves as a model in a particular behavioral or social role for another person to emulate.

PETE- The world needs to look up to men of good character and morals……………

I shake my head at people like you in disgust. Just cause he is a Mormon…so what. So what he believes what he believes. I bet you believe your own belief system and think you are right in every way.. Well who makes you right. As for the Mormons I know, they are stellar upfront people. Not lowlifes like you.

You mom otta smack you if she knew you wrote what you wrote.

As for Murphy……..Give him the HOF. If Puckett gets it, so does Murph! Pete doesn’t get the HOF.

By glennbo

September 18, 2005 08:45 PM | Link to this

to a-dawg: Murph demanded to be traded. He wanted out. He left and Atlanta posted 15 consecutive winning seasons without him. He screwed up. He lost the faith. He didn’t fight the good fight or persevere thru the long race. He is where he deserves to be: Oblivion, Utah.

By TH

September 18, 2005 09:17 PM | Link to this

Sorry I am late with this. I also cancelled my subscription to the AJC because of Terrence Moore.

My question is this. If the Falcons cannot re-sign Mike Vick in 4 years, and they are forced to sign another terrific QB that happens to be Caucasian, should the thousands of fans who spent $40 on a replica of Mike Vick’s #7 jersey, stop wearing them? Or does that just apply to Georgia Fans?

Terrence Moore should not be in the sports section. I still have his article lobbying the Falcons to sign Peerless Price in the first place!

TH

By Chad

September 19, 2005 01:04 AM | Link to this

Hmmm…this is wierd. I write a paragraph about how I didn’t think his article was racist, but then I get busted for using racist terms because I said athlete’s smoke “crack”, instead of saying “cocaine”? How is that racist? Thats reality! Crack is smoked. Crack is smoked by people of EVERY color. To say the word crack is racist is a real stretch. I don’t know where your from, but in Oklahoma we do have white people who smoke crack. I’m guessing they do where your from too.

By Richard Gregg

September 19, 2005 08:17 AM | Link to this

If Murph had been a leader in the 80’s like the all knowing Terence “Big Red Machine” Moore thinks he should have been the Braves might have finished in 5th place those years instead of 6th.

Hello?

I only read this because I knew that he would be critical of Murphy.

As for most Mormons being in Utah, there are roughly 6 million Mormons in the USA. Only 2 million or so are in Utah. As of 2003, there were more Mormons in the USA than Episcpalion and Presbyterians combined. Google it and see if you don’t believe me.

By Carroll

September 19, 2005 09:18 AM | Link to this

I wish we would’ve kept Murph for one more year or perhaps traded for him at the deadline in 1991 as we have a tendency to do with former players. Having him on the squad is the only thing that could’ve made that miracle run to the WS more special (and we’d have prolly won the dang thing!)

No matter what you can say about him as a player or a mormon or whathaveyou, Dale Murphy is the type of human being we all wish we could be. Those that criticize are jealous…not of money or fame…but of someone who has the courage to live life the right way (myself included!)

By Kensue

September 19, 2005 12:59 PM | Link to this

I enjoyed watching Murphy play…hated when he was traded to the Phillies, but I am amazed at where this one article has taken some people. I read it and honestly thought nothing more of it than someone bringing up a name from Braves history that we all enjoyed on our team regardless of his religious affiliation. Who know where the Braves would have ended up back then if the players exerted their leadership abilities as do some of today’s player. But hindsight is always 20/20. Having said that, let’s not set Murph up to be worshipped as an idol…I don’t think he would want you to and more importantly, the Lord would not be pleased. As far at T. Moore being racist, I don’t know that to be fact so I can’t speak to it. I don’t read his articles enough. Folks, YOU be the person your child looks up to. Don’t put the most important responsibility that was given to you off on someone else, and like Forrest Gump said, “that’s all I have to say about that!”

By Dave

September 19, 2005 02:07 PM | Link to this

For a good decade, if you were selecting a team (think pick-up basketball, rather than rotisserie) Murph would be one of the first chosen. That alone qualifies him for the HOF. Analogous stats? Compare to Ralph Kiner. Dale belongs to be in.

By bigcooterb

September 19, 2005 03:01 PM | Link to this

Typical Moore comments. Never say something good about a white athelete if you can twist it around and make it racist.

By Braves fan in Miami

September 19, 2005 05:17 PM | Link to this

Athletes today should read DM’s book carefully!!

A great athlete and a great human being!

HE will always be remembered by Braves fans.

Long live Murph!

By CW

September 19, 2005 05:39 PM | Link to this

Where are you people extracting racism in this article? Yes, Terrence Moore often deals with the subject of race in his articles, but not in this one. I think what has made so many people mad is Moore saying that Murphy was a poor leader and should have spoken up more during his time with the Braves. Dale Murphy is who he is. He was a great player and a class guy, but I can’t really imagine him being the vocal clubhouse leader. His way was more about leading by example.
As far as HOF goes, I’m not sure Murphy belongs. He was great for a number of years, but his career came to a screeching halt awfully quickly. During his last two years in Atlanta his average dropped and his homeruns fell off the table. I know his bad knees were part of the problem, but I can’t remember another player of his caliber whose abilities left so quickly.

By vik

September 19, 2005 06:10 PM | Link to this

rigghhhtt, murph is a symbol of the braves even more so than chipper. are u crazy. chipper is the all time face of the braves. if u mormons dont like that why dont u go find yourselves some extra wives or whatever other freakish values u believe in (none of this crap was ever advocated by Jesus or the Bible, it was just added by some hicks who saw the devil in disguise, when the devil went down to georgia; i bet they were playing their fiddles at the time too). anyways, i cant argue the fact that murph was more moral than most professional athletes. he does have a lot more decency than most.

I would like to add, that presently the braves have someone that i believe is even more moral than murph and that someone is John Smoltz. This guy is a true christian, heads and shoulders above murph (as hes not corrupted with mormon bullsh—). This guy is involved in more community good will projects than murph ever was. U can also tell that hes sincere. maybe the reason that murph didn’t talk so much was that he somehow knew deep down that hes full of unsupported mormon bull. hes so full of bull now that it cant help but come out. yeeeaaahhhhh. get it out murph, but dont corrupt other souls with it. do with it what’s supposed to be done with it, burn it to he—.

giggidy giggidy. (do u guys know who says that??)

By vik

September 19, 2005 06:19 PM | Link to this

oh yeah, how the hell did anyone link Mr.Moore with racism. based on the articles that i have read there is no connection whatsoever. are u guys on mormon crack. show me even a line that implies racism. or better yet, get out of your freakin barns and get an edumucation so that u know, u can know the meaning of what u read.

id like to thank Frau Neace, my former teacher (teaches german) for inspiring me to be more than an americanized hick. she is my favorite teacher of all time. -(walter die grosse)

By aaron

September 20, 2005 12:21 AM | Link to this

To vik, pete, and others unsure of Mormon beliefs, I challenge y’all to attend The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the offical name of the Mormon church) meetings on Sunday to discover the truth about the religion. Everyone is invited to attend and learn about the Gospel of Jesus Christ taught there. If you are not able to attend any meetings, then look up the church in the phone book, call them on sunday, and request that the missionaries visit you to answer any questions/concerns y’all may have.
Dale Murphy is a person that strived to excel in the sport of baseball, lived a Christ-like life from what i’ve seen and read, and deserves any accolade in baseball. Thank you.

By Roper

September 20, 2005 03:16 AM | Link to this

You folks that think the Braves would have won the ‘91 World Series if Murph was on the team must be smoking crack - unless your white - in which case you must be snorting cocaine.

By tony

September 20, 2005 08:03 AM | Link to this

The Pulitzer Prize is to journalism as the MVP is to baseball. Dale Murphy won the MVP twice. How many Pulitzers has moore won?

By Philip

September 20, 2005 10:36 AM | Link to this

Vik,

Based upon your poor use grammar and the content of your message I’d say you’re an idiot. Not to mention anyone that hates on another man’s beliefs the way you professed disdain for the Mormons is not a good Christian.

Now to baseball…it’s blasphemy to even hint that Chipper Jones is the all-time face of the Atlanta Braves. Chipper was a good baseball player, but not as good as Dale Murphy. And let’s not even talk about off the field…where Chipper committed adultery. Of course what do you expect when the manager of the team beats his wife.

By m.thomas

September 20, 2005 12:48 PM | Link to this

if t. moore doesn’t have anything good to say about white people why did he do a whole article prasing Pat Kerney? Get your facts straight before u post a comment.

By Philip

September 20, 2005 02:01 PM | Link to this

Lip service to get readers and Falcons’ fans off his back maybe?

Who cares if he presents objective perspectives or his own deluded sense of reality because he can’t write any way.

By Bushwacker

September 20, 2005 02:31 PM | Link to this

Terrence,

I generally disagree with you but you were not taking a shot a Murph were you?

If anything you are pointing out how great a “man” Murf is?

By Carroll

September 20, 2005 07:44 PM | Link to this

That’s just a typical “good christian” for ya…knocks a guy based on his belief system….just adorable. I don’t recall Murf or any other mormon slamming people for not thinking the same way they do…they just leave that to the baptists I suppose.

By AL

September 21, 2005 11:38 AM | Link to this

I don’t know why Moore feels the need to bash every Braves great to play the game. I mean, he even takes a guy like Murph to task, chiding him for not speaking out enough in the clubhouse. Come on, man, let it go. The Braves of the mid-late 80’s were terrible, and Murph was one of the bright spots. Incidentally, here is a positive article written on Murph’s book:

http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/articleperspectives.jsp?ymd=20050920&contentid=1216938&vkey=perspectives&fext=.jsp

By Steve

September 21, 2005 04:02 PM | Link to this

Thanks Terence for thr update on Murph—one of my all time favorite Braves. He’s one of my all time favorites as much for his character as for his baseball exploits.

By Dave Henshall

September 22, 2005 07:40 AM | Link to this

Frankly, I’m pleased that some of the readers suggested looking into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in an effort to better understand Dale Murphy. You may do so by visiting the Official Church website at (http://www.lds.org/).