Dale Murphy, Braves Double MVP July 4, 1983

Dale Murphy still smiles at thoughts of his Atlanta Braves
superhero days, when he patrolled centerfield and launched
tape-measure home runs deep into the night at Atlanta-Fulton
County Stadium. Now, in a different ballpark, his new team
surrounds him, dressed sharply in uniform white shirts or
dresses. "This is Fenway Park," he instructs a group on a recent
field trip. "It's baseball's hallowed ground."

On Murphy's new team there are no quick shortstops, rangy
outfielders or fireballing closers; his current compatriots are
missionaries--male and female, aged 19 to 21--giving 1 1/2 to
three years of service to The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-Day Saints. At 43, Murphy is no longer a cleanup hitter
driving in runs but a mission president trying to make sure
things run smoothly. "I'm sort of like a general manager," says
Murphy with a hopeless laugh. "It's my job to make sure
everyone's happy."

Missionary work might be closer to what Murphy, who retired from
baseball in 1993, was interested in doing all along. Although
the two MVP awards, the five Gold Gloves and the 398 homers he
accumulated during his 18-year career were impressive, he gained
added renown--and designation as one of SI's 1987 Sportsmen and
Sportswomen of the Year--for the breadth of his charity work.
His wife, Nancy, occasionally had to remind him that he had a
growing family at home, a clan that now includes eight children
aged six to 19. "It's always great when you're really needed,"
says Murphy. "I've been lucky to have a lot of opportunities to
help people."

Helping has become Murphy's full-time gig as he assists in
training and deploying about 200 missionaries at the Belmont,
Mass., Mormon mission--where the young volunteers can't do
things like date, go to movies or watch TV. "It has been a great
honor to work with people who are so dedicated and selfless,"
says Murphy, who became a Mormon while in A ball at age 19. Two
years ago, having been selected by church leaders for a
three-year tour of duty, Murphy relocated his family from Utah
to a house seven miles northwest of Fenway.

In mid-July, Murphy was at the All-Star Game, an honored guest
observing the nominees for baseball's All-Century Team.
Eighty-year-old Ted Williams sat near the Fenway Park mound as
flashbulbs popped around him, and Murphy smiled, knowing that he
would always have his own memories. Will there be a return to
baseball when his assignment ends next year? "I always think
about the possibility of going back in some way," says Murphy.
"I miss baseball."

--John O'Keefe

COLOR PHOTO: ANDY HAYT (COVER)

COLOR PHOTO: DAMIAN STROHMEYER

On Murphy's new team there are no quick shortstops, rangy
outfielders or fireballing closers.