Apr
10
2012

Daniel Murphy Is Coming Up Big For Mets

An article by Former Writers

Daniel Murphy has proven he is a bonafide big league hitter. In his first four games this season, Murph has picked up right where he left off before his injury last year. Daniel has been a machine at the plate and coming up with the game winner in the 9th inning of last night’s thrilling walk-off win was a memorable moment even this early in the season. Not to mention that remarkable diving stop to end the top half of the 9th and having the composure and presence of mind to get that ball to second for the out. He’s growing defensively and hopefully he can become a real asset as a second baseman in the future.

New York Mets Second Baseman Daniel Murphy Throws To Shortstop Ruben Tejada To Put Out Washington Nationals' Ian

Manager Terry Collins in the previous few games took out Daniel in the last innings for a replacement, but decided to leave him in last night and it paid off. Maybe fate played a part. It was a scorching line drive up the middle by Ryan Zimmerman that had base hit written all over it. Murphy dove to his right made the play and flipped it to Ruben Tejada who was covering second base to retire the side.

In the next half inning after a walk to Baxter and a bunt by Tejada that was thrown away by the pitcher Rodriguez that set up runners on second and third with nobody out. Murphy took a inside fastball and lined it to right field for a base knock which drove in Baxter for the winner.

Going back to Murphy’s defense… this spring, he worked with former New York Mets and current coaches Wally Backman and Tim Teufel who put real emphasis on positioning.

“Throughout the spring you could see Daniel really getting more comfortable on double plays and its going to show with his play.” Wally Backman said towards the end of the spring when asked about Murphy’s progress at second base.

From watching Daniel for a while whether it was in left or at first and now second, he always looked uneasy and not very smooth wherever he played. But throughout this spring and into the early part of the season, Murphy definitely looks smoother out there and more comfortable too, maybe he has found a home at second.

Collins clearly has faith in Murphy on defense to keep him in there last night – especially in the late innings of a tight game. It’s still early, but what we have seen out of Murph on defense so far has to be encouraging.

About the Author: Former Writers

7 Comments + Add Comment

jessep April 10, 2012 at 10:29 am

When I first joined this site, they asked me who my favorite Met was. This was 2009. I said Murphy because in mid August of 2008 I watched him played and just loved what I saw. I had the Mets shop create a Mr. Met old school tee with his # on the back.

Then 2010 came and it was time to update the profile because he wasn’t even playing anymore. So naturally I chose Reyes who I always did love (and now he is on a team I hate).

Here’s the thing about Murph. He is a hitter. He knows what he is doing at the plate, and you gotta love that. But most of all, his effort is matched almost by nobody. He isn’t a great fielder, but he doesn’t use it as a crutch either. He gives you everything he has every game and that’s rare in today’s game.

There are going to be games where is he brutal in the field. It will happen. But he’s becoming a part of a young core with Ike, Duda lead by Wright that makes a fan feel so dang good about the team.
Gary S. April 10, 2012 at 10:39 am

We all love Murph’s bat and attitude.The question going forward is how will we feel the morning after a loss that he is responsible for because he messed up an easy double play ball.If he hits .290 plus and just plays an average 2nd base he is still a big plus.My gut feeling is he can be adequate but Collins has to be vigilant about removing him for defense late when we have a lead.
- Kay April 10, 2012 at 11:16 am
  
  Every player, Gold Glover’s, HOFers etc….have made mistakes in their career and costs games.
  
  We all know and agree that his fielding skills are not his forte. I wonder though, because we all know this, the media points it out all the time etc…. will it just be magnified when this happens and will more emphasis be put on it because it’s Murphy, more so, than if a good fielder was to make a mistake costing a game?
  
  Lets hope we don’t ever have to even have that discussion.
- Ceetar April 10, 2012 at 11:32 am
  
  Ronny Cedeno or Justin Turner does not make that play in the 9th last night. It’s first and third with two outs and the Mets could lose that game.
Metstheory22 April 10, 2012 at 11:10 am

The man can hit. I hope his fielding becomes good enough for him to stay in games like last night. His bat should win more games than his glove loses.
Gary S. April 10, 2012 at 12:07 pm

I would only use Cedeno for late inning defense.I agree that turner is not much better with the glove than Murph.Kudos to Murph for the great play last night.Big confidence boost
JAKE ASMAN April 10, 2012 at 6:09 pm

Ohhh sweet sweet murph…. @JakeAsman

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