SF Giants will induct legendary clubhouse manager to Wall of Fame
The SF Giants announced during their annual Media Open House on Thursday that the longest-tenured employee in SF Giants history, Mike Murphy will be inducted to the team's Wall of Fame on Sunday August 27th. Murphy joined the team the year the franchise moved from New York (1958), working as a bat boy before becoming a clubhouse manager in 1960. While he semi-retired in 2015, Murphy told the team that he is officially stepping away from the team this season.
SF Giants equipment manager Mike Murphy throwing out a ceremonial first pitch (2008).
Phil Carter-USA TODAY Sports
“After 65 seasons – first starting as a bat boy, to becoming the visitors clubhouse manager in 1960 to the Giants clubhouse manager in 1980 and going into semi-retirement in 2015 – Murph is officially retiring and as he shared with us, that at 81-years old it’s time to finally spend a summer away from baseball,” Giants CEO Larry Baer wrote in a press release. “There was no hesitation when we began discussing how to honor one of the most beloved figures in our organization and that was to put him on our Wall of Fame, our living tribute to the generations of San Francisco Giants greats including players, owners and now Murph!”
Murphy had relinquished the senior manager of the home clubhouse title in 2015 to Brad Grems. However, he remained heavily involved at Giants home games even after stepping back. According to the team, Murphy has attended every home game the Giants have had since they moved to San Francisco.
It's hard to imagine how many amazing stories Murphy has from working with Giants legends from Willie Mays and Willie McCovey to Will Clark and Matt Williams to Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent to Buster Posey and Brandon Belt.
Murph's impeccable reputation, though, was from more than his work with star players. Murphy had a nickname for every player or coach on the staff, and when his retirement was announced earlier in the offseason, former SF Giants of all calibers took to social media to thank him for his work.
