Remembering Bob Murphy Five Years Later

Murphy was the voice of the Mets from 1962-2003, one of the originals broadcasters with Ralph Kiner & Lindsey Nelson. After twenty seasons rotating on television & radio, Murph strictly became the Mets radio voice in 1982. Painting the pictures with his words and "happy recaps" after a Mets win.

Murph started broadcasting with Curt Gowdy doing Boston Red Sox games in 1954. After six years in Boston he moved to Baltimore for two seasons before joining the Mets in 1962. Murphy didn't openly route for the Mets, but we all new where his heart was. His colorful delivery always had a melodic flow to it as if he was reciting poetry. He called games during the bad years and was there as the Mets became champions in 1969. Murphy called Jimmy Qualls base hit when he broke up Tom Seavers perfect game in the 9th inning. He called the last out of the NLCS as Joe Torre grounded into a game ending double play when the Mets advanced to the World Series.

In 1973 he was at the mic when the fight broke out between Bud Harrelson & Pete Rose, as well as when the Mets clinched the pennant. He remained with Kiner through the bad years even when Lindsey Nelson jumped ship in 1979.

Murphy was on the radio for the exciting Dwight Gooden years, and the 1986 Championship. His favorite game of the 6000 plus he called was the NLCS Game # vs. Houston when the Mets advanced to the World Series. He then made the legendary call of the World Series Game #6 win when he said "It gets by Buckner,the Mets win it, they win!!"

In a 1990 games against the Phillies the Mets almost blew a 10-3 lead in the 9th inning. After seven straight hits when the final out was made he said " the Mets win the damn thing". It was so out of character for Murph the call became legendary. In 1994 he won the Ford Frick Award and enshrined in Cooperstown.

Age caught up with Murphy and after the Piazza Years and another Pennant season he called it quits by 2003. He was honored on Bob Murphy night at Shea Stadium that season.

He retired to West Palm Beach Florida and passed away August 3, 2004.

The Radio Booth at Shea was named in his honor and he is a member of the Mets Hall of Fame. Murph also did the NY Football Titans broadcasts in the early sixties and WOR's Bowling For Dollars in 1973. He was survived by his long time wife Joy Murphy.