(Central Islip, N.Y., March 29, 2023) – The Long Island Ducks today announced the signing of 12-year Major League veteran infielder Daniel Murphy. He begins his first season with the Ducks and 16th in professional baseball.
“This game is part of my soul, and my passion for playing grew as great as ever when I discovered certain things that I believe will enable me to be productive on the field again,” said Murphy. “I am immensely grateful to Mr. Boulton, Wally Backman and Michael Pfaff for allowing me to live my dream for a second time.”
Murphy has 12 seasons of Major League experience in his professional career, including seven with the New York Mets (2008-09, 2011-15), three with the Washington Nationals (2016-18), one with the Chicago Cubs (2018) and two with the Colorado Rockies (2019-20). He has played in 1,452 big league games, posting a .296 batting average, 138 home runs, 735 RBIs, 710 runs, 1,572 hits, 371 doubles, 29 triples, a .341 on-base percentage and a .796 OPS. He represented the National League at the MLB All-Star Game on three occasions (2014, ’16 and ‘17) and won two National League Silver Slugger Awards (2016-17). Murphy also finished second in the voting for National League Most Valuable Player in 2016 after leading the league in doubles (47), slugging percentage (.595) and OPS (.985), finishing behind only Chicago Cubs infielder Kris Bryant.
The Florida native has also appeared in 25 postseason games during his MLB career, compiling a .309 batting average with eight home runs, 19 RBIs, 21 runs, 30 hits, three doubles, 15 walks and a .986 OPS. In 2015, he led the Mets to their fifth World Series appearance in franchise history. He became the first player in Major League history to hit a home run in six consecutive postseason games and became the second player in league history to drive in at least one run in seven consecutive playoff games. He was named the National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player after batting .529 and homering in all four games of the Mets series sweep against the Chicago Cubs.
The 37-year-old made his Major League debut on August 2, 2008, against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. He went 1-for-4 with a run scored in the game, collecting his first MLB hit with a second inning single off three-time All-Star Roy Oswalt. His first big league home run came one week later at Shea Stadium when he launched a sixth inning two-run homer off Renyel Pinto in a win over the Florida Marlins. He is a two-time winner of the MLBPAA Mets Heart and Hustle Award (2013-14) and helped lead Team USA to the gold medal at the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Murphy was originally selected by the Mets in the 13th round of the 2006 amateur draft out of Jacksonville University.
“Competing before the New York fans is an enormous privilege, and I hope that my effort and performance reflect how honored I am to do so,” Murphy added. “The sincerest thanks from my family and I to the Long Island Ducks for this chance at a new adventure.”
The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, a Professional Partner League of Major League Baseball. Over 8.5 million fans have enjoyed the Ducks brand of affordable, fun entertainment at Fairfield Properties Ballpark since inception in 2000. For further itnformation, visit LIDucks.com or call 631-940-DUCK (3825).
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
Celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season in 2023, the Atlantic League is Major League Baseball’s first Professional Partner League, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. ALPB has sent over 1,200 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 45 million fans to its family-friendly ballparks throughout its 25-year history. Please visit AtlanticLeague.com.
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