The Underrated Stars: Dwight Evans vs. Dale Murphy

Published: June 26, 2024

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Last Updated: June 26th, 2024 by Jake Cain

Dwight Evans and Dale Murphy are two players who often get overlooked when talking about the best players of the ’70s and ’80s. Both players left their marks on the game with their powerful arms, significant home run totals, and accolades. Join us as we explore their careers, their impact, and the legacy they left behind.

Dwight Evans vs Dale Murphy — via Stathead

Early Careers and Development

Dwight Evans began his MLB journey with the Boston Red Sox in 1972 and quickly became known for his defensive prowess. Initially, Evans was more of a defensive asset than an offensive threat, but he steadily improved his batting over the years. By the latter half of his career, he developed into a powerful hitter, earning multiple Silver Slugger Awards.

Evans’ breakout year came in 1981 when he led the American League in home runs (22), total bases (215), OPS (.937), and several other categories despite a strike-shortened season. His ability to combine defensive excellence with offensive power made him an invaluable player for the Red Sox.

Dale Murphy, on the other hand, started with the Atlanta Braves in 1976. Initially playing as a catcher and first baseman, Murphy struggled with consistency until he moved to the outfield in 1980. This switch sparked an era of prolific play, transforming him into one of the most dominant outfielders of the 1980s.

Murphy’s peak years were from 1982 to 1986, during which he won two consecutive National League MVP Awards (1982, 1983) and led the league in home runs and RBIs several times. His versatility and athleticism were on full display as he transitioned seamlessly between outfield positions, earning five Gold Glove Awards.

Statistical Comparisons

Let’s delve into the raw numbers that defined their careers:

Batting Average: Evans (.272), Murphy (.265)
Hits: Evans (2,446), Murphy (2,111)
Home Runs: Evans (385), Murphy (398)
RBIs: Evans (1,384), Murphy (1,266)
Games Played: Evans (2,606), Murphy (2,180)

While Evans had a higher batting average and more hits, Murphy edged out Evans in home runs. Murphy’s peak power-hitting period was more concentrated, whereas Evans showcased a longer, more consistent career. Both players had their strengths, and their statistical outputs were products of their distinct playing styles and positions.

Impact on the Game

Dwight Evans was a fixture in Boston for nearly two decades, playing the second-most games in Red Sox history. His strong defensive skills earned him eight Gold Glove Awards, and he was widely regarded as having one of the best outfield arms in the league. Evans’ ability to contribute both offensively and defensively made him a cornerstone of the Red Sox lineup for many years.

Evans’ impact extended beyond individual games. His leadership and consistency helped stabilize a franchise that saw its fair share of ups and downs. His presence in right field was almost a given for Boston fans, and his clutch performances in key moments, such as the 1975 World Series, are still remembered fondly.

Standard Batting
Year	Age	Tm	Lg	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
1972	20	BOS	AL	18	64	57	2	15	3	1	1	6	0	0	7	13	.263	.344	.404	.747	117	23	2	0	0	0	0	7/H9
1973	21	BOS	AL	119	328	282	46	63	13	1	10	32	5	0	40	52	.223	.320	.383	.703	93	108	8	1	3	2	2	*97H/D8
1974	22	BOS	AL	133	514	463	60	130	19	8	10	70	4	4	38	77	.281	.335	.421	.756	110	195	9	2	6	5	2	*9H/D87
1975	23	BOS	AL	128	470	412	61	113	24	6	13	56	3	4	47	60	.274	.353	.456	.809	120	188	10	4	5	2	3	*9H/D
1976	24	BOS	AL	146	571	501	61	121	34	5	17	62	6	7	57	92	.242	.324	.431	.755	109	216	11	6	3	4	4	*9/8HD	GG
1977	25	BOS	AL	73	265	230	39	66	9	2	14	36	4	2	28	58	.287	.363	.526	.889	128	121	3	0	6	1	0	98/HD
1978	26	BOS	AL	147	572	497	75	123	24	2	24	63	8	5	65	119	.247	.336	.449	.784	109	223	15	2	6	2	2	*9/HD8	AS,GG
1979	27	BOS	AL	152	563	489	69	134	24	1	21	58	6	9	69	76	.274	.364	.456	.820	115	223	14	1	3	1	7	*9/H8	GG
1980	28	BOS	AL	148	542	463	72	123	37	5	18	60	3	1	64	98	.266	.358	.484	.842	124	224	5	5	6	4	6	*9/HD8
1981	29	BOS	AL	108	504	412	84	122	19	4	22	71	3	2	85	85	.296	.415	.522	.937	163	215	8	1	3	3	1	*9	AS,MVP-3,GG,SS
1982	30	BOS	AL	*162*	727	609	122	178	37	7	32	98	3	2	112	125	.292	.402	.534	.936	149	325	17	1	3	2	1	*9/D	MVP-7,GG
1983	31	BOS	AL	126	544	470	74	112	19	4	22	58	3	0	70	97	.238	.338	.436	.774	106	205	12	2	0	2	5	9D/H	GG
1984	32	BOS	AL	*162*	*738*	630	*121*	186	37	8	32	104	3	1	96	115	.295	.388	.532	*.920*	147	335	19	4	1	7	2	*9/D	MVP-11,GG
1985	33	BOS	AL	159	744	617	110	162	29	1	29	78	7	2	*114*	105	.263	.378	.454	.832	124	280	16	5	1	7	4	*9/D	GG
1986	34	BOS	AL	152	640	529	86	137	33	2	26	97	3	3	97	117	.259	.376	.476	.853	131	252	11	6	2	6	4	*9/HD
1987	35	BOS	AL	154	657	541	109	165	37	2	34	123	4	6	106	98	.305	.417	.569	.986	157	308	10	3	0	7	6	39/DH	AS,MVP-4,SS
1988	36	BOS	AL	149	645	559	96	164	31	7	21	111	5	1	76	99	.293	.375	.487	.861	136	272	16	1	2	7	3	93/DH8	MVP-9
1989	37	BOS	AL	146	630	520	82	148	27	3	20	100	3	3	99	84	.285	.397	.463	.861	136	241	16	3	1	7	1	9D
1990	38	BOS	AL	123	522	445	66	111	18	3	13	63	3	4	67	73	.249	.349	.391	.740	104	174	18	4	0	6	5	*D/H
1991	39	BAL	AL	101	329	270	35	73	9	1	6	38	2	3	54	54	.270	.393	.378	.771	119	102	7	2	1	2	2	9HD
20 Yrs				2606	10569	8996	1470	2446	483	73	385	1384	78	59	1391	1697	.272	.370	.470	.840	127	4230	227	53	52	77	60
162 Game Avg.				162	657	559	91	152	30	5	24	86	5	4	86	105	.272	.370	.470	.840	127	263	14	3	3	5	4
				G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
BOS (19 yrs)				2505	10240	8726	1435	2373	474	72	379	1346	76	56	1337	1643	.272	.369	.473	.842	127	4128	220	51	51	75	58
BAL (1 yr)				101	329	270	35	73	9	1	6	38	2	3	54	54	.270	.393	.378	.771	119	102	7	2	1	2	2

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/29/2024.

Dale Murphy, meanwhile, became the face of the Atlanta Braves during the 1980s. His consecutive MVP awards and consistent power-hitting revitalized a struggling franchise and turned him into a household name.

Murphy’s impact was also felt off the field. His integrity and sportsmanship were exemplary, and he became a role model for young fans. His work with charities and his stance against performance-enhancing drugs further cemented his legacy as one of the game’s good guys.

Standard Batting
Year	Age	Tm	Lg	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
1976	20	ATL	NL	19	72	65	3	17	6	0	0	9	0	0	7	9	.262	.333	.354	.687	91	23	0	0	0	0	0	2
1977	21	ATL	NL	18	76	76	5	24	8	1	2	14	0	1	0	8	.316	.316	.526	.842	112	40	3	0	0	0	0	2
1978	22	ATL	NL	151	583	530	66	120	14	3	23	79	11	7	42	145	.226	.284	.394	.679	80	209	15	3	3	5	3	*32/H
1979	23	ATL	NL	104	429	384	53	106	7	2	21	57	6	1	38	67	.276	.340	.469	.809	113	180	12	2	0	5	5	32/H
1980	24	ATL	NL	156	634	569	98	160	27	2	33	89	9	6	59	133	.281	.349	.510	.858	135	290	8	1	2	2	9	*89/7H3	AS,MVP-12
1981	25	ATL	NL	104	416	369	43	91	12	1	13	50	14	5	44	72	.247	.325	.390	.716	100	144	10	0	1	2	8	*8/3H9
1982	26	ATL	NL	*162*	698	598	113	168	23	2	36	109	23	11	93	134	.281	.378	.507	.885	142	303	10	3	0	4	9	*879/H	AS,MVP-1,GG,SS
1983	27	ATL	NL	*162*	687	589	131	178	24	4	36	121	30	4	90	110	.302	.393	.540	.933	149	318	15	2	0	6	12	*87/H9	AS,MVP-1,GG,SS
1984	28	ATL	NL	*162*	691	607	94	176	32	8	36	100	19	7	79	134	.290	.372	*.547*	.919	149	332	13	2	0	3	20	*8/H	AS,MVP-9,GG,SS
1985	29	ATL	NL	162	712	616	118	185	32	2	37	111	10	3	90	141	.300	.388	.539	.927	152	332	14	1	0	5	15	*8/H	AS,MVP-7,GG,SS
1986	30	ATL	NL	160	692	614	89	163	29	7	29	83	7	7	75	141	.265	.347	.477	.824	121	293	10	2	0	1	5	*8/9H	AS,MVP-21,GG
1987	31	ATL	NL	159	693	566	115	167	27	1	44	105	16	6	115	136	.295	.417	.580	.997	157	328	11	7	0	5	29	*9	AS,MVP-11
1988	32	ATL	NL	156	671	592	77	134	35	4	24	77	3	5	74	125	.226	.313	.421	.734	106	249	24	2	0	3	16	*9/H
1989	33	ATL	NL	154	647	574	60	131	16	0	20	84	3	2	65	142	.228	.306	.361	.667	89	207	14	2	0	6	10	*89/H
1990	34	TOT	NL	154	629	563	60	138	23	1	24	83	9	3	61	130	.245	.318	.417	.735	99	235	22	1	0	4	14	*9/H87
1990	34	ATL	NL	97	394	349	38	81	14	0	17	55	9	2	41	84	.232	.312	.418	.731	96	146	11	1	0	3	11	9/H
1990	34	PHI	NL	57	235	214	22	57	9	1	7	28	0	1	20	46	.266	.328	.416	.744	105	89	11	0	0	1	3	9/H87
1991	35	PHI	NL	153	599	544	66	137	33	1	18	81	1	0	48	93	.252	.309	.415	.724	103	226	20	0	0	7	3	*9H
1992	36	PHI	NL	18	63	62	5	10	1	0	2	7	0	0	1	13	.161	.175	.274	.449	26	17	3	0	0	0	0	9/H
1993	37	COL	NL	26	49	42	1	6	1	0	0	7	0	0	5	15	.143	.224	.167	.391	1	7	5	0	0	2	1	H9/7
18 Yrs				2180	9041	7960	1197	2111	350	39	398	1266	161	68	986	1748	.265	.346	.469	.815	121	3733	209	28	6	60	159
162 Game Avg.				162	672	592	89	157	26	3	30	94	12	5	73	130	.265	.346	.469	.815	121	277	16	2	0	4	12
				G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
ATL (15 yrs)				1926	8095	7098	1103	1901	306	37	371	1143	160	67	912	1581	.268	.351	.478	.829	125	3394	170	28	6	50	152
PHI (3 yrs)				228	897	820	93	204	43	2	27	116	1	1	69	152	.249	.304	.405	.709	98	332	34	0	0	8	6
COL (1 yr)				26	49	42	1	6	1	0	0	7	0	0	5	15	.143	.224	.167	.391	1	7	5	0	0	2	1

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/29/2024.

Awards and Accolades

Let’s take a detailed look at the awards and achievements of Dwight Evans and Dale Murphy:

Dwight Evans

3× All-Star (1978, 1981, 1987)
8× Gold Glove Award (1976, 1978, 1979, 1981–1985)
2× Silver Slugger Award (1981, 1987)
AL home run leader (1981)
Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame

Dale Murphy

7× All-Star (1980, 1982–1987)
2× NL MVP (1982, 1983)
5× Gold Glove Award (1982–1986)
4× Silver Slugger Award (1982–1985)
Roberto Clemente Award (1988)
2× NL home run leader (1984, 1985)
2× NL RBI leader (1982, 1983)
Atlanta Braves No. 3 retired
Braves Hall of Fame

Both players have impressive resumes filled with individual awards and recognitions. Murphy, with his two MVP awards, was recognized as the best player in his league twice, while Evans’ eight Gold Gloves highlight his defensive dominance over a longer period.

Longevity and Consistency

Dwight Evans played for 20 seasons, spending 19 years with the Red Sox before finishing his career with the Baltimore Orioles. His ability to remain productive well into his late 30s is a testament to his work ethic and adaptability. Evans’ consistency is further evidenced by his robust career totals in several offensive categories, including ranking within the top 100 in several all-time MLB records.

Dale Murphy played for 18 seasons, with the bulk of his career spent with the Braves before stints with the Philadelphia Phillies and Colorado Rockies. While his peak came earlier and his decline was more pronounced, his contributions during his prime were invaluable. Murphy’s career was unfortunately marred by injuries towards the end, but his decade of dominance remains noteworthy.

Hall of Fame Consideration

One of the more significant aspects of any player’s legacy is their consideration for the Baseball Hall of Fame:

Dwight Evans has been seen by many as an underrated candidate for the Hall of Fame. Despite his contributions and consistent play, Evans did not receive enough votes to be inducted, although modern assessments and advanced metrics like “Win Shares” put him in favorable comparisons with other Hall of Famers.

Dale Murphy also faced challenges with Hall of Fame voting. Despite his MVP awards and being one of the top players of his era, Murphy did not gain the requisite votes for induction. His candidacy has been debated extensively, with some suggesting his decline in the latter half of his career hurt his chances. Nonetheless, Murphy remains a beloved figure, and many continue to argue for his inclusion, especially considering his exemplary character and clean record during a time marred by performance-enhancing drug scandals.

Conclusion

Comparing the careers of Dwight Evans and Dale Murphy is like a delightful journey through baseball history. Each player brought something unique to the game, whether it be Evans’ incredible arm and consistency or Murphy’s power and all-around excellence. While neither player has been enshrined in the Hall of Fame, their legacies endure through the memories of the fans who watched them play and the young players they continue to inspire.