COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Former Braves great Dale Murphy, a notable two-time National League MVP, who will no longer be up for a regular vote for the Baseball Hall of Fame, nonetheless was having a blast at the Hall of Fame weekend as former Braves Bobby Cox, Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux were being inducted on Sunday afternoon.
On enjoying the weekend as part of the Braves:
“Anybody associated with the Braves’ organization, I’m lucky to be able to have been as a player. But it’s a special day for fans and a special situation here in Cooperstown to celebrate baseball. It’s a way to say thank you. Obviously I played with Glav, so that’s cool. But for Bobby, it’s a different feeling for me because he saved my career. He moved me to first and that didn’t work out, he moved me to the outfield and he was really patient with me. So I couldn’t be more excited or thankful and I got to see him last night and tell him thanks for everything. I couldn’t be happier for this group. It’s a lot of pride in the Braves’ organization. It’s a great organization. They’ve been competitive for 20 years which is not easy to do, turning out some Hall of Famers. It’s fun to be part of it and say I know those guys. I knew them when.”
On getting to feel a part of the whole experience:
“When I was at the party, at the Braves’ thing (Saturday) night, and Bobby walked in and everybody clapped, it was cool. Then Hank (Aaron) walked in and everybody clapped. So I think we all feel like we’re going in to the Hall of Fame because of the way you feel about these guys. And I think that’s why Braves country has showed up so well here, Braves fans. These are the kind of guys you really feel a connection to. So it’s unique. … Obviously I feel a connection. We feel like we’re all going in with them. That’s just the kind of people they are. They’re people that endeared themselves to you. It’s a great quality they have. That’s why they were so successful. That’s why Bobby was so successful, and Joe (Torre). So we’re not only celebrating for them but selfishly. It’s like nothing else. I couldn’t be happier for this group of guys. I have connections to Bobby, Glav and Joe. I had my best years under Joe. I had my formative years under Bobby and Joe really helped me.”
