Meredith Warrington "Spud" Murray[1] (October 28, 1928 – September 15, 2011[2]) was an American minor league baseball player and Major League Baseball (MLB) batting practice pitcher. Murray was possibly the first full-time batting practice pitcher in Yankees history.[citation needed]

Career

Murray attended Media High School, where he starred in baseball and basketball, ranking among the best players in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. He signed with the Cleveland Indians. However, an arm injury limited his playing career.[3] The Indians sold Murray to the independent Montgomery Rebels of the South Atlantic League in 1954.[4]

Mayo Smith, the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, hired Murray as his batting practice pitcher in 1958.[3] He joined the New York Yankees in the same role two years later.[1][3]

Personal

Murray lived in Waterloo, Pennsylvania. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, often going fishing with Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b Bradbury, Wilbur (September 9, 1961). "Yank Pitcher Befriends M Squad; Murray Loosens Up Batters in Drills Before Games Maris, Mantle Have Hit 280 Homers Off Hurler". The New York Times. p. 22. Retrieved October 22, 2012. (subscription required)
  2. ^ "In Memory of Meredith W. "Spud" Murray 1928 - 2011". Brown Funeral Homes, Inc. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d Gebhart, Ed (January 18, 2009). "Mickey Mantle, Marilyn Monroe ... if only Spud would write that book". Delco Times. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
  4. ^ "Indians Sell Spud Murray, Also Catron". Reading Eagle. February 23, 1954. p. 21. Retrieved October 22, 2012.

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