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RIP Red Murff

Valadius Nov 29 2008 06:24 AM

]Scout who discovered Ryan dead at 87 TYLER, Texas (AP)—John Robert “Red” Murff, the New York Mets scout who discovered Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, died Friday in a Tyler nursing home. He was 87. Bill McMillion, a spokesman for Burks-Walker-Tippit Funeral Directors, confirmed the death. McMillion said he had no additional information. Ryan, now president of the Texas Rangers, noted his friendship with Murff in his 1999 Hall of Fame induction speech. “He thought when he saw me at 6-foot-2 and 140 pounds, he wasn’t discouraged by my build and by the way I threw the baseball as many other scouts were,” he said. “And I appreciate the fact that Red spent so much time with me and worked to help me become a better pitcher. Thank you, Red.” Murff played for the Milwaukee Braves from 1956-1957, going 2-2 with three saves and a 4.65 ERA in 26 games. Murff was inducted into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Texas Scouts Association Hall of Fame in 1999. He helped start the baseball program at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, and in 1994 the school’s ballpark was named Red Murff Field.

Edgy DC Nov 29 2008 02:43 PM

Ryan threw poorly when the cross-checker came down to Texas to check Murff's reports. Murff had to insist that the pitcher they saw that day simply wasn't representative of the pitcher he had scouted. His insistence was such that the cross-checker had to say, "If you believe in him so much, I'll back you up." Thanks, Red.

Willets Point Nov 29 2008 07:20 PM

Did the cross-checker then serve a two minute minor?

G-Fafif Nov 29 2008 07:52 PM