All-Time MLB Players From Louisiana: Billy Murphy

There have been a number of individuals from Lafayette, and the Acadiana area, that have played in Major League Baseball over the years.

Obviously, the entire state of Louisiana has produced even more.

As a matter of fact, 246 people born in the state of Louisiana have appeared in a Major League Baseball game, beginning in 1874, with John Peters of New Orleans, who played 11 years, with the likes of the Chicago White Stockings, Milwaukee Grays, Providence Grays, Buffalo Bisons, and Pittsburgh Alleghenys.

All summer, we’ll preview a player from the state of Louisiana that appeared in Major League baseball, starting with players from Lafayette, before spotlighting players from the Acadiana area, and then a few from the state itself.

Yesterday, we spotlighted Dave Davenport.

Today, we feature Billy Murphy.

Born in Pineville in 1944, Murphy, a right-handed hitting outfielder, played one in Major League Baseball, with the 1966 New York Mets.

Murphy was signed by the New York Yankees, and spent four seasons in their minor league system, before being taken by the Mets in the Rule 5 Draft.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Murphy made his Major League debut on April 15 of 1966, becoming the first, and still the only Pineville native to ever appear in a Major League Baseball game.

Murphy went on to appear in in 84 games for the Mets in 1966.

In 135 at-bats, Murphy hit a .230, to go along with 3 home runs, 13 runs batted in, and one stolen base.

Unfortunately, Murphy never appeared in another MLB game.