 |
|||||||||
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Jeremiah J. "Miah" Murray, Extra Catcher
Miah Murray was a 19-year old Boston native who spent the entire 1884 season with the Grays, though he only got into eight games. He was apparently signed as a sort of bullpen catcher for a hulking rower named John Cattanach that the Grays thought they could teach to pitch. The sports writer at the Journal was probably his biggest fan. The May 13 column claimed that "considerable inquiry has been made of late as to the whereabouts of Murray the change catcher who made such a favorable impression in one of the Providence-Brown exhibition games. It is argued that he is a better thrower than either Gilligan or Nava, is a free batsman and needs practice simply to accustom himself to quicker work in handling the ball. He is said to handle Radbourn well, as also Sweeney, and he should be given a trial early in the season so that he may be available in case of injury to either of the other backstops. It is understood that he practices with them daily, but is a sort of a bulwark for Cattanach to exercise upon." Four days after this advertisement, "The management, in response to repeated solicitations, placed Murray, the change catcher, behind the bat, and he supported Radbourn in first-class style, playing steadily at critical moments and making a fine record upon his debut in a professional game... His capture of foul tips and strikeouts won especial admiration." This is more press than most of the regulars got all year long. This phenomenon did not get to play again until June 5, when Cattanach was let out of his cage for public view. The paper noted that "Cattanach's support by Murray was excellent." On June 30, he entered in mid-game when Joe Start was injured. He went 0 for 2 with an error, and was switched later in the game with center fielder Hines, presumably because he really couldn't hack first base. This was his last appearance until October, when he caught five games in garbage time after Vincent Nava had been released and the pennant had been clinched. He only caught the spare pitchers on Radbourn's days off; even with the race over, only Gilligan could catch the mighty Hoss. Murray finished the season 5 for 27 at the plate for a .185 average. He went on to play in a total of 26 more games in a four-year "career", and then in 1894 became the manager of the Providence Grays. It was a different team though, a minor league squad competing in the Eastern League. Murray's Grays had the best record in the league in each of his first three seasons. His 1900 team also won the league title with the help of future major league stars Harry Davis and Freddie Parent. He left the minor league Grays after the 1902 season, and died in Boston on January 11, 1922. copyright Rick Stattler 2002 |
|
