Rick's Card Corner

Danny Murphy was a prep school baseball phenom at St. John’s Prep in Danvers, Mass. In his senior year, he batted .460, and had a 12-0 record on the mound. Immediately upon graduation, he was signed by the Chicago Cubs with a signing bonus of $100,000!

On June 18th, 1960. At just 17 years old, he made his Major League debut. On September 13, 1960, at age 18. he made Cubs history, as the youngest Cub ever to homer, when he connected for a three run shot off Cincinnati Reds’ pitcher Bob Purkey.

Despite an exciting beginning to his MLB career, long term success was not to be. Playing in just 49 games in his Cub career, he batted only .171. Then in 1963, he was traded to the Houston Colt 45s.

Murphy’s next 6 seasons were spent in the Minors. In August of 1969, he returned to the Majors with the Chicago White Sox, not as an outfielder, but as a relief pitcher. He appeared in 17 games, compiled a 2-1 won loss record, had an ERA of 2.01, and collected 4 saves.

He was much less effective the following year, and ultimately ended his career in 1971 after spending the ’71 season with the Red Sox AAA franchise at Louisville.

The card is 1962 Topps. Murphy was still being touted as a rookie star even though he made his MLB debut in 1960.