Murff’s death was confirmed Friday by Bill McMillion, a spokesman for Burks-Walker-Tippit Funeral Directors in Tyler. McMillion said he had no additional information.
“It’s a sad day,” UMHB vice president for athletics and former Crusaders player and coach Ben Shipp said. “Red was so instrumental in so many things we were able to do as a university when starting the baseball program and also in helping us build a baseball facility.
“He was highly respected by many people in the baseball world.”
In 1994 UMHB’s ballpark was named Red Murff Field.
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 6-2 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 in A and AA ball, being named Minor League Player of the Year in 1955 with a 27-11 record while playing for the Dallas Eagles of the Texas League.
In 1956, Murff made the Milwaukee Braves as a 35-year-old rookie and was credited with a save on opening day. A couple days later, he ruptured a disc in his back.
In 1957, he was 2-2 with the Braves, who defeated the New York Yankees in the World Series.
He became a baseball scout, signing players such as Ryan and all-star catcher Jerry Grote. He retired to Tyler in 1991 after 34 years as a scout.
Murff was inducted into the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Texas Scouts Association Hall of Fame in 1999.
“Red was all baseball and he was always willing to talk and answer questions,” Shipp said. “He was very opinionated but not to the point of being pushy. He loved baseball and baseball players, and there are so few people that are that passionate about the game.”
James Vilade, University of Texas at Tyler baseball coach and a family friend of Murff, said Murff was a great ambassador for the game.
“He was an inspiration to all,” Vilade told the Tyler Morning Telegraph. “Even after he retired, he inspired kids to be great baseball players and great citizens.”
In a 1999 interview with the Tyler paper, Murff said he felt he had a great career.
“When I started scouting Nolan in 1964, I think he was a little in awe of me, because of my major league experience,” he said. “In the last 20 years, the roles have been reversed.”
