Back to News 
By Jeff Birchfield
Johnson City Press Sports Writer
 |
|
Matt Murton spoke to students as part of a Fellowship of Christian Athletes gathering at Milligan College. (Dave Boyd / Johnson City Press) |
As an 11 year-old fan at his first Major League game, Matt Murton saw the Florida Marlins play. Last July, a 23 year-old Murton faced off against the Marlins in his first game as a Major League player.
Speaking at a meeting of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Milligan College on Wednesday, the Chicago Cubs left-fielder recalled how nervous he was before the game.
“That night I got about 40 minutes sleep,” said Murton. “I was obviously drawed up at the chance to play in the major leagues. When I get to the park, I’m drained.
“There was a hurricane coming through and we didn’t know if we were going to play. We didn’t take batting practice because of the rain. It broke and they told us we were going to play the game.”
Once the decision was made to play ball, Murton found himself staring down one of professional baseball’s toughest hurlers.
“Once I stepped in the box I can honestly say the nerves left me,” said Murton. “Dontrelle Willis was the guy I was facing in my first at bat. This guy has funky motion and was second in Cy Young voting. Here I am facing this guy on 40 minutes sleep.
“The adrenaline kicked in and I went 2-for-2 in that game. I had an RBI, a walk and I singled my first at bat. It was a fastball down and in. I hit it through a hole to left field. That got things kicked off the right way as a player.”
After joining the Cubs on July 8, Murton hit seven home runs, had 14 RBI’s and a .321 batting average. He came to the Cubs organization from the Red Sox organization as part of a four-team trade with the Twins and Expos. The biggest name involved in the deal was Nomar Garciaparra.
“I was really taking aback by that,” said Murton. “It was like some fantasy. I grew up watching all these guys who are getting traded and it’s this big blockbuster trade.
“The next thing you know my name is a footnote on that deal. Just a fact, I was a part of that deal was unbelievable.”
As a teenager, Murton’s family moved to Georgia. A self-proclaimed Braves fan, Murton played collegiately at nearby Georgia Tech. His final year at Tech, Murton had 10 home runs, 58 RBI’s and batted .344. He also scored 62 runs in 64 games.
Those numbers helped him become the 32nd player picked in the 2003 draft. Murton progressed quickly through the minor league ranks going from Class A teams in Lowell, Mass., Daytona, Fla. and Sarasota, Fla. to Double-A West Tennessee in only one year.
He prospered at West Tennessee getting 107 hits in 46 games. Sporting a .342 average, he was moved up to Triple-A Iowa. Murton batted .353 in only 23 games at Iowa before being called up to the big show.
“The biggest thing you have to learn as a player is not to lose sight of who you are,” said Murton. “It might sound cliche’, but you’re here because of what you’ve done. You make the proper adjustments, but you don’t change who you are.
“These guys might be the best in the world, but you have to compete. You go out there and do what you know how to do.”
As a hitter, Murton says pitchers with great control give him more trouble than fastballers. He mentioned veteran Andy Pettite as the toughest pitcher he’s faced.
Murton was invited to Milligan by his college teammate Matthew Swaim, the school’s FCA mentor. The purpose was to share his Christian testimony.
“My parents were always a big influence on me,” said Murton. “I grew up in the church, Coral Ridge Presbetyerian in South Florida. That has been my biggest influence. Along the way, there have been many people I’ve had great relationships with.
“God called us to be one as believers. Everybody that has been a good witness in my life has done that. I feel very blessed for all the relationships I’ve had along the way.”
Despite living in Chicago, Murton said he pulled for fellow National League team Houston in the World Series against the White Sox. He expressed confidence the Cubs could be in the race for the 2006 championship.
“We have a great ballclub,” said Murton. “The organization has done a great job of collecting some key components to help us down the stretch. The biggest thing is for us to stay healthy.
“Our pitching staff, if they are healthy we are going to have a great year.”
Expectations are high for Murton after his sparkling debut. As a young man with an appreciation for the game’s history, Murton relishes playing for one of baseball’s storied teams.
“You listen to the great players who have played at places like Colorado and Florida,” said Murton. “Nothing against those cities, but they say how great it is to play at Wrigley in front of 39,000 people.
“For me to get that opportunity right off the bat is pretty cool. The way the fans are receptive towards me and my teammates, we really appreciate them. They are fans very into the game. They understand the game and it makes it a lot of fun.”
VIEW ARTICLE