Dale Murphy envisions playing games with his children, driving his sons to Little League practice, doing chores and planting a garden - in short, becoming a full-time father again.
Murphy, whose short stint with the Colorado Rockies never measured up to the standards of his 18-year career, said goodbye to baseball Tuesday night when he was honored during pregame ceremonies.Murphy, who was presented with a Stetson hat, a sculpture and other gifts, threw out the first pitch prior to a game with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
He announced his retirement last Thursday in Houston, and he returned to Denver with his wife, Nancy, for a final, more formal sendoff.
"I think my boys are excited to go on a family vacation during the summer for the first time ever," Murphy said. "And Nancy is probably a little more excited than the boys."
Murphy, 37, said he has no immediate plans, other than to spend more time at home.
"Baseball is a lot of fun, but it's not the real world," he said. "As baseball players, we all have families and responsibilities. There are a lot more important things going on in our lives."
Murphy - who hit 398 homers and earned two MVP awards with the Atlanta Braves - has been offered an unspecified front-office job with the expansion Rockies, for whom he played this season. Slowed by leg injuries, the seven-time All-Star batted just .143 and was hitless in 11 pinch-hit appearances, including seven strikeouts and three double plays.
"I really haven't had a chance to think about it," Murphy said of the job offer.
His wife hinted that any job that would require extensive travel would not appeal to Murphy.
"One drawback about going into coaching or announcing or a baseball job of that type is the travel," said Nancy, who is expecting the couple's eighth child - and first girl - in October. "I think he's pretty well traveled out. That kind of puts some boundaries on what he could do in baseball."