Dale Murphy was an All-Star outfielder who played his entire career with the Atlanta Braves from 1976 to 1993. Known for his power hitting and defensive skills, Murphy won back-to-back National League Most Valuable Player awards in 1982 and 1983. He remained a fan favorite throughout his 18-year MLB career. Not surprisingly, Dale Murphy baseball cards are highly sought after by collectors.
Murphy made his MLB debut in 1976 at age 21 and had respectable rookie numbers. His rookie cards from 1976 don’t carry huge values today as they had low print runs and he wasn’t yet an established star. Some of his nicer 1976 rookie cards in gem mint condition could sell for $100-200. His rookie cards increased in value after he won MVP awards.
It was in 1982 that Murphy truly broke out. He led the NL in home runs (39), RBI (126), and slugging percentage (.549) while batting .285. His outstanding all-around season resulted in Murphy being named NL MVP. Cards from Murphy’s MVP 1982 season hold the most value, especially those in top condition. Some key 1982 Murphy cards include:
1982 Topps #138 – Murphy’s main flagship rookie card. High grade examples in near mint-mint (NM-MT) condition range from $50-150. Gem mint (GM) 10s can bring $300-500.
1982 Fleer #480 – Considered one of his nicer looking cards from the year. NM-MT copies sell for $30-100 depending on centering/corners. A GM 10 in pristine shape could go for $200-300.
1982 Donruss #98 – Not as iconic as the Topps but still a key card. NM-MT copies trade hands for $20-75 based on centering.
In 1983, Murphy somehow bettered his 1982 MVP season by leading the league again in home runs (36), RBI (121), and slugging (.549) while improving his batting average to .302. He became just the 10th player ever to win back-to-back NL MVPs. His 1983 cards increased in demand and value due to the repeat accomplishment. Some top 1983 Murphy cards include:
1983 Topps #138 – As with the 1982, high grade examples hold the most worth. NM-MT copies sell in the $50-150 range. A BGS/PSA 10 could fetch $400-600.
1983 Fleer #480 – Considered one of his best looking cards. NM-MT copies sell between $30-100. A pristine GM/MT 10 can sell for $200-300.
1983 Donruss #98 – Not as iconic but still a key piece. NM-MT copies trade hands for $20-75 depending on centering quality.
After winning back-to-back MVPs in ’82-83, Murphy remained a productive player for the Braves throughout the 1980s. Injuries slowed him down some in the late 1980s. His cards from 1984-1989 hold value but not quite to the level of his MVP seasons. Some examples:
1984 Topps #138 – NM-MT copies sell for $15-50.
1985 Topps Traded #82T – Highly sought after traded set card. NM-MT copies go for $10-30.
1986 Topps #480 – NM-MT condition sells in the $5-15 range.
1987 Topps #480 – Same as 1986 in terms of pricing.
1988 Topps #480 – NM-MT copies sell for $3-10.
1989 Topps #480 – Prices similar to 1988 issue.
Murphy played until 1993, wrapping up an excellent 18-year career. He remained a fan favorite in Atlanta. While he no longer possessed MVP caliber skills, collectors still seek out his late 1980s and early 1990s cards for nostalgia purposes. Examples include:
1990 Topps #480 – NM-MT copies sell between $2-5.
1991 Topps #480 – Prices mirror the 1990 issue.
1992 Fleer #480 – Last card in Braves uniform. NM-MT sells for $3-8.
1993 Upper Deck #480 – Final career card. NM-MT goes for $2-5.
In summary, Dale Murphy’s baseball cards from his MVP seasons in 1982 and 1983 are the most highly valued, especially high grade copies in mint condition. But cards spanning his entire 18-year career hold value to some degree for collectors due to his excellent production and fan favorite status on the Braves. Murphy cards remain a staple in the collections of Atlanta fans and 1980s baseball memorabilia enthusiasts.
