#677 Ivan Murrell

A Padre original from Panama…played for 3 teams never traded…started in Houston Colt .45 organization….started in 1963 earning 2X a brief look with the .45 and 1X in a Astro uniform…was selected by the Padres in 1969 expansion draft…In their initial season, hit his highest MLB career avg; .255 in part time work…followed up with his best season hitting 12 home runs and bringing in 35 runs for the homer happy Padres…1971 Murrell continued to show pop but average declines…1972 Ivan spends a majority of year at AAA Hawaii…hits .335 earning a return to the parent club…continues the trend of adequate power but poor on-base percentage taking only two walks 210 at bats…Never met a pitch he didn’t like…Released and is picked up by Atlanta for 1975…plays mostly in Mexican league thereafter although did try a comeback with Padres AA club in 1977…Hit .347…passed away in 2006.