The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Michelle and Bertie Murray Jr could not have enjoyed a better 30th wedding anniversary yesterday than to be at the side of their son, BJ Murray, when he was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 2021 Major League Draft.

In addition to his parents, his brothers Brandon and Byron and other family surrounding him, there was a lot of reason for celebrations when the 21-year-old third baseman from the Florida Atlantic University Owl baseball team heard his name called.

“I was excited. I couldn’t put emotions into it,” said the younger Murray, who joined team-mate right-handed pitcher Javi Rivera, who was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 20th round.

“There were plenty of things going through my head. It means a lot to me. We have a lot of guys in the system now and I’m just excited to be one of them and to be able to represent the Bahamas.”

Murray became the 100th draft pick in FAU baseball programme history when he came off the bench at No.454. The third-year sophomore was chosen following a breakout 2021 campaign.

The All-Conference USA Second Team member started all 57 games, batting .317 with an FAU-high 14 home runs (fourth in C-USA) and 52 RBI (second on the team and 12th in C-USA).

He is fifth in the conference with 41 walks and eighth slugging .584, both numbers leading the Owls, who had two previous players taken by the Cubs. He follows Kyle Miller, who was taken in 2015 and Major Leaguer Jeff Beieau, selected in 2008.

As a student in Boca Raton, Florida, the younger Murray said he just wanted to be around his family, especially his parents, Bertie and Michelle Murray, for the announcement. “They wanted to come over here and spend that time with me and I couldn’t be happier that they did,” said the 6-foot Murray, who hosted his family at his apartment in Boynton Beach, Florida.

Not having a chance to be drafted after he graduated from St Augustine’s College and went on to Kentucky State University, Murray Jr said he’s extremely proud to witness his son’s accomplishment.

“It’s good to see his dream come true,” said Murray Jr, the son of former baseball pitching great Bertie Murray Sr. “So I’m happy to see that he will be able to live out this next part of his development. “I’m thankful that he was given that opportunity. It’s something that I wasn’t able to achieve as a player, but I’m happy that I’m around to be able to see him given this unique opportunity to play at the professional level.”

With so many players sitting on pins and needles waiting to hear their name called, Murray Jr said when his son’s name was called, they were even more elated.

“It was a double dose of celebration. It was the 30th anniversary gift to us.” Murray Jr said.

Equally proud mother, Michelle, said it was a happy moment for the entire family. “BJ worked very hard for the last three years in college and so we’re very happy for him and his accomplishments,” said Mrs Murray, who was looking forward to the double celebrations as they enjoyed the moment.

Teddy Sweeting, the secretary of the Bahamas Baseball Federation, said it’s an honour to see the next Bahamian reach this plateau in professional baseball. “We’re always excited when another young man gets this opportunity,” said Sweeting of Murray, who follows Grand Bahamian Chavez Fernander, the last Bahamian to be drafted in 2018 out of Polk State Junior College by the Detroit Lions in round 35 with the 1,035 pick overall.

“BJ Murray, whom I have seen play since he was seven in coach pitch, to see him now get this opportunity to play professional baseball, I’m extremely excited for the sport and for him as a player.”

Sweeting, a former player as well at SAC and St Augustine’s College in Raleigh, North Carolina, said with more than 20 young men in the pipeline for MLB, the BBA needs to continue to focus on what is best for the growth and development of the sport in the country.

Right now, Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm is the 7th Bahamian to play in MLB with the Miami Marlins and Antoan Richardson, who preceded him as the sixth player, is retired, but serves as the first base coach for the San Francisco Giants, the same team that drafted him in 2005.

Murray, a former student of Queen’s College, went on to play at Trinity Christian Academy in Lakeworth, Florida, just like his oldest brothers.

Now married, Brandon, 28, went on to the College of Charleston where he graduated with a MBA in finance, while middle brother, Byron, 25, is still at Lynn University where he is expected to be graduating in December.

The first of his family to be drafted, Murray said he’s been waiting on this opportunity his whole life and now that it’s a reality, he’s just waiting on the Cubs to give him his instructions and to his next move so that he can start his professional baseball career.