About Dale

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Dale Murphy’s baseball journey began when the Atlanta Braves selected him in the first round of the 1974 MLB Draft. After steadily climbing through the Braves’ minor league system, he made his big-league debut in 1976—marking the start of a career that would make him one of the most admired figures in Atlanta sports history.

Murphy entered the league as a catcher, tried his hand at first base, and ultimately found his home in the outfield, where he became a force. He made history as the youngest player ever to win back-to-back MVP awards (1982 and 1983), earned seven National League All-Star selections, took home four Silver Slugger awards, and added five Gold Gloves to his resume.

His 1983 MVP season remains one of the most complete offensive years in baseball history: he became the only player ever to hit .300+, with 30+ home runs, 120+ RBIs, 130+ runs scored, 90+ walks, and 30+ stolen bases—all in the same season.

From 1981 to 1990, Murphy dominated the sport. He led the majors in home runs and RBIs over that entire decade, and topped the National League in games played, at-bats, runs, hits, extra-base hits, total bases, runs created, and plate appearances. After 7,960 at-bats and 18 remarkable seasons with the Braves, Phillies, and Rockies, he retired in 1993.

In Atlanta, Dale became more than a superstar—he became an icon. The Braves retired his number, #3, joining legends Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews, Warren Spahn, and Phil Niekro. His number still hangs today at Turner Field as a tribute to his impact on the city, the franchise, and the game.

 

Beyond the stats and the accolades, Dale Murphy has long been recognized as one of baseball’s genuine good guys—a person whose character stood as tall as his accomplishments. Throughout his career and long after it, he has devoted countless hours to charitable work, lending his voice, time, and platform to causes that matter.
In 1987, Sports Illustrated named him one of its “Sportsmen and Sportswomen of the Year,” honoring him as baseball’s athlete “Who Cares the Most.” President Ronald Reagan welcomed him to the White House that year, recognizing his impact both within the game and in the community.
Murphy’s humanitarian spirit earned him some of the sport’s most respected awards:

• The Lou Gehrig Award, given to the player who best exemplifies Gehrig’s character on and off the field

• The Roberto Clemente Award, celebrating leadership, integrity, and charitable service

• The Bart Giamatti Award, honoring extraordinary contributions to the game and its values

After retiring, he was inducted into the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame, a testament to the legacy he built far beyond baseball diamonds.
Dale has also shared his insights through two books—The Scouting Report: Professional Athletics and The Scouting Report: Youth Athletics—and today, he’s a highly sought-after motivational and business speaker. His keynote messages center on leadership, resilience, culture, and the power of integrity.
When he’s not speaking or supporting charitable initiatives, Dale spends his time with the people who matter most. He and his wife, Nancy, are the proud parents of eight children and grandparents to nine—and counting.

 

Resilience – 3 Decisions That Create Resilience:
Dale shares the hard, non-linear path he took to reach the Major Leagues, highlighting the key decisions that shaped his ability to stay the course and ultimately build a long, successful career. His message shows audiences that the same intentional choices can strengthen their own resilience, no matter their field.

 

Success – 3 Commitments Winning Teams Make That Lead to Success:
Drawing from more than two decades in professional baseball, Dale explains the three defining characteristics he observed in every winning team. These commitments are timeless, transferrable, and can be built into any organization seeking sustained success.

 

Culture – 3 Essential Elements of a Winning Culture:
Some teams simply have "it." Others don’t. Dale breaks down the elements that separate great cultures from average ones, offering practical insights audiences can use to create an environment where people thrive and performance follows.

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Big League Leadership – 3 Critical Attributes of Effective Leadership:
Based on lessons learned from legendary managers throughout his career, Dale outlines three leadership attributes that elevate teams and inspire lasting trust. He translates these clubhouse lessons into actionable principles that can dramatically improve leadership in any business or organization.