Corvallis Knights 2007 MVP Shines for Class A Affiliate of Philadephia.

Jim Murphy of the Lakewood BlueClaws Named South Atlantic League Post-Season All-Star

Knight Watch: Alum Feature

There's little question that Jim Murphy (pictured) was the Most Valuable Player of the 2007 Corvallis Knights.

The slugging first baseman from Washington State hit .352 with five homers and 28 RBIs in only 37 games after joining the team in late June. An imposing 6-foot-4, and 240 pounds, he was also a big target at first base, and very adept around the bag.

Murphy hit several of the most memorable homers in Knights' history that summer.

His bases-loaded, first-inning homer against Spokane on July 26 remains the only grand slam in Corvallis Knights history. On August 9, his two-out, two-strike, two-run shot off WSU teammate Ross Humes gave the Knights a 4-3 win over Kitsap in the rubber game of their West Divisional playoff series and powered them into the first of their four WCL Championship Series appearances.

Big Murph rediscovered his swing in Corvallis that summer after a disappointing junior season at WSU. He had a great senior year and was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 17th round of the 2008 draft.

He just completed his third full summer in the Phillies' organization with a breakout season. Murphy was named a South Atlantic League all-star after bashing 22 homers and driving in 77 runs for the Lakewood (N.J.) BlueClaws.

Murphy has played for four minor-league teams and has 47 homers and 217 RBIs in 420 games. He's Lakewood's all-time leader in homers (36) and RBIs (144), and hopes to play for at least another decade before becoming a coach.

The Knights' Director of Public Relations Brooks Hatch caught up Murphy recently for a short Q&A on his life since leaving the team.

HATCH: What had you heard about the Knights before joining the team?
MURPHY: "I heard the Knights were a good ballclub from Mike Gilbert, who played for them before they moved to Corvallis.

"I played college ball at Washington State so I was familiar with the city and very excited because my coach, Matt Dorey, was the head coach that summer and asked me to play late in the year."

HATCH: What will you always remember about your summer with the Knights?
MURPHY: "I will always remember going to the yard early in the day to help our coach, Matt Dorey with the field prep. I will remember going to Local Boyz before just about every home game ordering up a combo meat platter with extra sauce."

HATCH: What did you like about playing for the Knights and in Goss Stadium?
MURPHY: "I enjoyed how much the fans supported us. We had big crowds almost every night and they got loud for us. The facilities have to be among the tops in the country for a summer league and the actual playing surface is extremely well manicured."

HATCH: Is it rewarding to be considered a building block for what has become one of the West Coast League's most successful franchises?
MURPHY: "Yeah, absolutely. I feel I was a reason the Washington State Cougars turned that program around and I'm proud to say I was a part of the Knights' organization"

HATCH: Do you still keep in touch with your Knights' teammates and host family?
MURPHY: "I keep in touch with a couple families via Facebook and a good buddy, (Knights' teammate) Jake Roy and I have kept in contact over the past few years. We were workout buddies that summer and he is now a trainer in the minor leagues."

HATCH: What are you doing now, and what are your future plans?
MURPHY: "I'm playing in the Phillies organization. I hope to keep playing for the next 10-to-12 years and coach after that."

HATCH: Are you married, any family, etc.?
MURPHY: "I am currently unmarried and without children, but I do have family in Seattle I visit frequently."

HATCH: "Have you been back to Corvallis since leaving the Knights?
MURPHY: "I came back to Corvallis last fall for the WSU-Oregon State football game and had a blast tailgating with the guys!!!"

HATCH: If you could do it all over again, would you still play for the Knights?
MURPHY: "Of course I would've played for the Knights again! I had a great summer and I believe it turned my college career around after a down junior season.

"I had a great senior season and got drafted by the Phillies and am still playing largely because of that summer with the Knights. So thank you!!"