[Charles Henrickson]

No. Not good enough for long enough. I rate Andre Dawson ahead of Dale Murphy, but I don't think the Hawk is even quite HOF worthy. The offensive standard for OF (and 1b) is much higher than for other positions.

[TheBigB]

I still say he should be in. His numbers, IMHO, say so. Seven time All-Star; two MVP awards (the YOUNGEST back-to-back winner); five Gold Gloves. In a six-year stretch (1982-1987) he led baseball in homers (218) and total bases while also ranking in the top three in runs, hits, RBI, and slugging. During that same period he stole 105 bases at a 73% success rate. Led NL in HR 1984-85; led NL in RBI 1978, 80, 82-83.

Before a home game against San Francisco, Murph visited in the stands with Elizabeth Smith, a six-year-old girl who had lost both hands and a leg when she stepped on a live power line. After Murphy gave her a cap and a T shirt, her nurse innocently asked if he could hit a home run for Elizabeth. "I didn't know what to say, so I just sort of mumbled 'Well, O.K.,' " says Murphy. That day he hit two homers and drove in all the Braves' runs in a 3-2 victory.

"I can't imagine Joe Dimaggio was a better all around player than Dale Murphy."--Nolan Ryan