Former Nationals All-Star Daniel Murphy Retires Again Following Comeback Attempt
Longtime MLB veteran Daniel Murphy retired for the second time Tuesday, marking an end to his potential big league comeback.
Murphy, who played 12 seasons in the majors, initially retired in January 2021. He signed a deal with the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball's Long Island Ducks this past March, though, going on to hit .331 with an .861 OPS in 37 games.
From there, Murphy inked a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels in June. Murphy hit .295 with a .741 OPS across 38 games with Triple-A Salt Lake, only to call it quits with six weeks left in the season.
Murphy first broke into MLB with the New York Mets in 2008, and he became a lineup regular by 2009. An MCL tear late in spring training cost him the entire 2010 season, and another MCL injury cut his 2011 campaign short as well.
The third baseman-turned-outfielder-turned second baseman developed into one of the top hitters in the National League over the next few years, eventually making the All-Star Game in 2014. Murphy got his first taste of postseason action in 2015, and he made the most of it by winning NLCS MVP and powering the Mets to a World Series appearance.
Although his numbers fell off in the Fall Classic, Murphy hit .421 with seven home runs, 11 RBI and a 1.462 OPS over the prior two series.
Murphy hit .288 with a .755 OPS in seven seasons with the Mets, and he took his game to the next level when he signed with the Washington Nationals.
In 2016, Murphy was the runner-up for NL MVP, leading the league in doubles, slugging percentage and OPS. Murphy also led the NL in doubles in 2017, making his second-consecutive All-Star appearance and picking up his second-straight Silver Slugger in the process.
Murphy got dealt to to Chicago Cubs in 2018, closing the book on his time with the Nationals. While he was in Washington, Murphy hit .329 with a .930 OPS.
The Colorado Rockies signed Murphy the following offseason, and while he continued to boast an OPS in the high 700s in 2019, that figured dipped to a career-worst .608 in 2020.
Murphy retired a few months later, ending his career as a .296 hitter with 138 home runs, 735 RBI, 371 doubles, 61 stolen bases, a .796 OPS and a 20.4 WAR.
The three-time All-Star was never able to add to those numbers in 2023, and he will now return to retirement having made nearly $80 million in big league contracts alone.
Follow Fastball on FanNation on social media
Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by LIKING us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.
You can also subscribe to "The Payoff Pitch" podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
