Craig McMurtry
Encyclopedia
Joe Craig McMurtry was a Pitcher for the Atlanta Braves
(1983–86), Texas Rangers
(1988–90) and Houston Astros
(1995). He is currently Baseball coach at Temple College
.
In 1982, McMurtry was Pitcher of the Year for International League
Richmond Braves
. In 1983, he finished 7th in voting for the National League Cy Young Award and 2nd in voting for National League Rookie of the Year, to Darryl Strawberry
, for having a 15-9 record with a 3.08 ERA in 36 games, 35 of them started. He also completed six games and shutout three.
In 8 seasons, he had a 28-42 win-loss record, 212 games, 79 games started, 6 complete games, 3 shutouts, 36 games finished, 4 saves, 667 ⅔ innings pitched, 650 hits allowed, 341 runs allowed, 303 earned runs allowed, 54 home runs allowed, 336 walks allowed, 349 strikeouts, 10 hit batsmen, 18 wild pitches, 2,921 batters faced, 17 intentional walks, 8 balks and a 4.08 ERA.
McMurtry was the first pitcher to give up a major league home run to Barry Bonds
(June 4, 1986, Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium
).
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
(1983–86), Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
(1988–90) and Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
(1995). He is currently Baseball coach at Temple College
Temple College
Temple College is a community college based in Temple, Texas, with regional branch campuses in other locations.As of 2007, residents within the tax-district of the city of Temple, Texas pay $67 per credit hour, whereas those outside the district pay $103 per credit hour...
.
In 1982, McMurtry was Pitcher of the Year for International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
Richmond Braves
Richmond Braves
The Richmond Braves were the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and played in the International League. Colloquially referred to as the R-Braves, they were based in Richmond, Virginia, where they played from 1966, when the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta where their AAA team, the Crackers,...
. In 1983, he finished 7th in voting for the National League Cy Young Award and 2nd in voting for National League Rookie of the Year, to Darryl Strawberry
Darryl Strawberry
Darryl Eugene Strawberry is a former American Major League Baseball outfielder who is well-known both for his play on the field and for his controversial behavior off it...
, for having a 15-9 record with a 3.08 ERA in 36 games, 35 of them started. He also completed six games and shutout three.
In 8 seasons, he had a 28-42 win-loss record, 212 games, 79 games started, 6 complete games, 3 shutouts, 36 games finished, 4 saves, 667 ⅔ innings pitched, 650 hits allowed, 341 runs allowed, 303 earned runs allowed, 54 home runs allowed, 336 walks allowed, 349 strikeouts, 10 hit batsmen, 18 wild pitches, 2,921 batters faced, 17 intentional walks, 8 balks and a 4.08 ERA.
McMurtry was the first pitcher to give up a major league home run to Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
(June 4, 1986, Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium
Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium
Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, often shortened to "Fulton County Stadium," was a multi-purpose stadium that formerly stood in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.-History:...
).
Major transactions
- February 2, 1987 - McMurtry was traded by the Braves to the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
for Damaso GarciaDámaso GarcíaDámaso Domingo García Sánchez is a former Major League Baseball player best known for his time spent with the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1980s....
and Luis Leal. He never actually played with the Blue Jays. Furthermore, Leal never played for the Braves, and Garcia played only 21 games for them, batting .117 before being released.