Final Good-bye for the Good Guy: former Indians’ OF David Murphy retires

After ten seasons in Major League Baseball, former Cleveland Indians outfielder David “Good Guy” Murphy has decided to hang up his cleats, per Dallas Morning News’ Gerry Fraley.

For 2016, Murphy had been in Rochester, New York with the Minnesota Twins’ Triple-A affiliate. But, after the demotion of outfielders Byron Buxton and Max Kepler did not include a call up for Murphy, the 34-year-old saw the writing on the wall that he was not part of the Twins MLB plans per Post-Telegram’s Jeff Wilson.

“Basically it got to the point where playing this game and living this lifestyle wasn’t worth it any more to be away from my family,” Murphy said Tuesday. “I’m always going to miss the game and I’ll always love it, but it doesn’t compare to my family.”

During his 10-year career, Murphy hit .274 with 104 home runs, 472 RBIs, 54 stolen bases, 575 strikeouts, and a .765 OPS. After finalizing a deal with the Indians following the 2013 season, the veteran had a brief – but decent – season-and-a-half in Cleveland. During his tenure in The Land, he had a .273 batting average with 13 home runs, 85 RBIs, 90 strikeouts, and a .729 OPS before he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels following the 2015 season for shortstop Eric Stamets.

Coincidentally, Stamets recently received his promotion to the Indians Triple-A affiliate Columbus Clippers. So, now two of the Clippers young bright stars are courtesy of trades with the Angels as starting pitcher Michael Clevinger was obtained for Vinnie Pestano in 2014.

Murphy was granted his release from the Twins Monday, per Pioneer Press’ Mike Berardino.

“I think I’m done playing. It was definitely a tough decision, but it wasn’t an emotional decision I made over a few minutes or even an hour. A lot of time went into it, and I know I made the right decision.”

Murphy, who was mainly with the Rangers for the major, was known as “Good Guy David Murphy” around the league due to the way he played the game and showed respect to those around him. So, for one last time, good-bye to the Good Guy, and hope you enjoy your retirement.