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Drafted in the 3rd round of the 1973 draft, Eddie Murray was in the big leagues to stay four years later. In his age-21 rookie campaign of 1977, Murray’s production resulted in American League’s Rookie of the Year honors..

The Orioles first baseman tallied 173 hits, 29 doubles, 27 homers, and 88 RBI. His 123 OPS+ and 3.2 WAR provided a prelude of things to come.

Shown here is a baseball card signed by Murray’s counterpart in ’77 Rookie of the Year voting, the National League’s Andre Dawson. The future Hall of Fame outfielder signed the card which is authenticated by Beckett.

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In his second big league season of 1978  Eddie Murray made the first of his eight All Star teams. In his first dozen years in the majors – all with the Orioles – Murray hit .295 and averaged 28 homers and 99 RBI per season. His OPS+ during that time was 141.

Murray left Baltimore for Los Angeles in December of 1988. By the time he retired in 1997, Murray had elite numbers – 3,255 hits, and 504 homers.

He joined Hank Aaron and Willie Mays as the only players to join both the 3,000-hit and 500-homer clubs. Since then Rafael Palmeiro and Albert Pujols have also reached both milestone numbers.

For years in souvenir stands at MLB stadiums offered baseballs with stamped signatures of the home team. In the collection is a contract signed by Eddie Murray on November 25, 1978 agreeing to have his autograph appear on those balls.

The terms of the contract? The slugger received one cent per ball sold. Murray has signed this contract just after the conclusion of his second year.

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On September 6, 1996 Eddie Murray slugged his 500th career home run. The blast made him the 15th in big league history to reach the long ball plateau. With the homer Steady Eddie also became the third player in baseball history to amass that many dingers along with 3,000 hits.

Hank Aaron founded the club on May 17th with his 3,000th hit. Three months later on July 18th Willie Mays joined him.

Murray collected his 3,000th hit on June 30, 1995 before hammering his 500th homer 15 months later. Since then, Rafael Palmiero, Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, and Miguel Cabrera have doubled the number of men to reach both milestones.

Shown here is a telegram signed by the first man of the group Hank Aaron. It’s dated the day after Aaron passed the Babe Ruth to become baseball’s career home run leader. It reads, “Congratulations on number 715”. Aaron signed the bottom right of the telegram. Notice the JSA sticker at the bottom right.

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A high school teammate of Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith, Eddie Murray was one of the greatest players of the 1980s.

During the decade Murray averaged 27 homers and 100 RBI per season. He hit .295.

From 1982-1985 he was dominant. Murray finished in the top 5 of MVP voting each year, earning three Gold Glove and two Silver Slugger Awards. He also topped the 100-RBI mark every year.

Murray retired with no-doubt Hall of Fame numbers. Five years later he was a first-ballot selection for Cooperstown.

Murray’s signature remained perfectly legible throughout his career. Shown here are three Topps baseball cards autographed by the Baltimore basher.