Rob Murphy---1990
Rob Murphy was a piece of work.
Known for his rubber arm and his
superstitious black silk underwear; the
southpaw was also one smart cookie.
A third generation horseman, Murphy
used his computer science background
from college days to develop a
program of analyzing thoroughbred
pedigree and racing records to
determine potential successful
breeding of horses.
Of course it was a good thing that
Murphy had a “fall back” plan. His
minuscule 0.72 ERA in 34 outings
during 1986 was phenomenal. Then
came the innings, as he led the
National League in appearances in
1988 with 76, and placed second in
both the NL in 1987 (87 games) and in
the AL in 1989 (74 games). In all, he
logged 290.1 innings during the three-
year span and that doesn’t include all
the times he got up in the bullpen,
especially under Reds manager Pete
Rose.
Unfortunately, the exorbitant number of
innings pitched setting up Cincinnati’s
John Franco and Boston’s Lee Smith
took its toll on Murphy. He started to
lose his 90-mph fastball and trademark
biting slider, eventually bouncing
around to seven clubs (Seattle,
Houston, St. Louis, Mets, Dodgers,
Marlins and San Diego) in six years
before calling it quits in 1996. He then
turned his attention to his company,
M375 Thoroughbreds, Inc.
Working for the Reds in the mid-1980s,
I remember Murph on his computer in
the clubhouse, on the airplanes or in
the hotel lobby analyzing the horses.
Looks like Boston let him plug in down
in their bullpen.
I mean, I think he was analyzing horses;
as I don’t believe Victoria’s Secret had
an online catalog at the time.
(Actually, women used to send him
plenty of black panties, but he wore
men’s)
(6/26/08)
Known for his rubber arm and his
superstitious black silk underwear; the
southpaw was also one smart cookie.
A third generation horseman, Murphy
used his computer science background
from college days to develop a
program of analyzing thoroughbred
pedigree and racing records to
determine potential successful
breeding of horses.
Of course it was a good thing that
Murphy had a “fall back” plan. His
minuscule 0.72 ERA in 34 outings
during 1986 was phenomenal. Then
came the innings, as he led the
National League in appearances in
1988 with 76, and placed second in
both the NL in 1987 (87 games) and in
the AL in 1989 (74 games). In all, he
logged 290.1 innings during the three-
year span and that doesn’t include all
the times he got up in the bullpen,
especially under Reds manager Pete
Rose.
Unfortunately, the exorbitant number of
innings pitched setting up Cincinnati’s
John Franco and Boston’s Lee Smith
took its toll on Murphy. He started to
lose his 90-mph fastball and trademark
biting slider, eventually bouncing
around to seven clubs (Seattle,
Houston, St. Louis, Mets, Dodgers,
Marlins and San Diego) in six years
before calling it quits in 1996. He then
turned his attention to his company,
M375 Thoroughbreds, Inc.
Working for the Reds in the mid-1980s,
I remember Murph on his computer in
the clubhouse, on the airplanes or in
the hotel lobby analyzing the horses.
Looks like Boston let him plug in down
in their bullpen.
I mean, I think he was analyzing horses;
as I don’t believe Victoria’s Secret had
an online catalog at the time.
(Actually, women used to send him
plenty of black panties, but he wore
men’s)
(6/26/08)
