"They say the postman always rings twice. In other words, if you are expecting an important piece of mail, don't allow yourself to get overly anxious. If the postman knows you need the letter, and he rings your doorbell while you are busy doing something in the cellar, have no fear- he'll ring it again for you.
This is the year that the postman will ring for Dale Murray. No professional athlete likes to be embarrassed, and to be placed in a position that more or less labels him a 'non-contributor.' Murray will be the first to tell you he did not help the Yankees in 1983.
It took Murray a long time to establish himself as a quality relief pitcher. Stops at Montreal, Cincinnati, the New York Mets, Montreal again, two more years in the minors and finally back up to the Toronto Blue Jays where he set many Jay relief records. His newly developed sinker and forkball gave teams fits. He was particularly effective against the Yankees- so they traded for him.
Murray was and is another player who had to switch from relative serenity to the legendary House that Ruth Built. Theoretically, there was no pressure because the team had Rich Gossage and George Frazier, but a long stint in a spring training game and a subsequent misunderstanding with certain coaches left him in a quandary. Jeff Torborg, however, knew- and knows- what Murray can do, given the proper rest and encouragement. Rather than go free agent, Murray came back to New York- and fully expects to hear that doorbell ring in 1984."
-The New York Yankees Official 1984 Yearbook
"In an up and down year for Murray, his best stretch of the year came from July 2 to July 24 when he appeared in five games with 20.2 innings, four earned runs, 16 hits, a win and a 1.74 ERA. Murray's only save came on May 1 at Texas while pitching three innings of shutout ball. His first Yankee win was on May 31 against California, also while pitching three innings of shutout ball. Dale went through the free agent draft and finally re-signed with the Yankees on November 21.
Originally signed by Montreal in June 1970, Dale had suffered a broken femur bone near his right hip in 1969 during college practice, missing first the 1969 season then the 1971 season when the surgical pins were removed. He was called up by Montreal in 1974 and made his major league debut on July 6. Dale missed more than a month of the 1975 season because of hepatitis.
He had compiled a streak of 247.1 innings without allowing a home run from August 18, 1974 to August 20, 1976 when Bobby Murcer homered off him in San Francisco. Murray's homerless string is the longest in the post-World War II era. In 1981 he led all International League relievers with a 1.85 ERA and 16 saves in 52 appearances, being named to the International League All-Star team. Murray was the ace of the Toronto bullpen in 1982, setting Blue Jay club marks with 11 saves, 56 appearances by a right-handed pitcher, 111 innings pitched in relief and most relief appearances.
Dale graduated from Cuero (TX) Senior High in 1968 after receiving all-tournament awards in '66 and '67 and lettering for three years. He attended Blinn Junior College in Brenham, Texas and Victoria College in Victoria, Texas. Dale's hobbies include hunting and working on cars."
-1984 New York Yankees Information Guide
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