The Dodgers Trade for Eddie Murray

On December 4, 1988, the Los Angeles Dodgers traded pitchers Brian Holton and Ken Howell and infield prospect Juan Bell to the Baltimore Orioles for first baseman Eddie Murray. The defending World Series champions added a perennial All-Star to a lineup that had won the title despite ranking near the bottom of the National League in runs scored.

Murray was a Los Angeles native returning home. Over 12 seasons in Baltimore, he had accumulated seven All-Star selections, three Gold Gloves, and the 1977 Rookie of the Year award. He ranked as the 1980s American League leader in home runs with 254 and in RBIs with 908. His 333 career home runs placed him second among switch-hitters on the all-time list, behind only Mickey Mantle.

The Dodgers needed Murray. In 1988, Franklin Stubbs had manned first base for much of the season, hitting .223. The pitching staff, led by Orel Hershiser's historic season, carried the team to a championship, but general manager Fred Claire knew the offense needed reinforcement if the Dodgers hoped to repeat.

Murray delivered a strong first season in Los Angeles, hitting .247 with 20 home runs and 88 RBIs in 1989. He settled in further the next year, posting a .330 average with 26 home runs in 1990. His steady presence gave the Dodgers something they had lacked for years, a consistent run producer in the middle of the order.

Murray played four seasons in Los Angeles before finishing his career with stops in New York, Cleveland, and back in Baltimore. He retired with 504 home runs and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003.