NBA forward Troy Murphy fulfills second dream

NEWARK, NJ - July 21, 2006 - In 2001, Troy Murphy realized he would live his dream of becoming a professional basketball player when he was selected in the first round, 14th overall, by the Golden State Warriors. The five year professional out of Notre Dame fulfilled his second dream on Friday, July 21 when he coached third base for the Newark Bears Professional Baseball Club at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium.

"If I weren't an NBA player I would be third base coach for the Newark Bears. I would wave everybody, no matter what. It's fun eating sunflower seeds, wearing the uniform and doing the signs," said the Morristown, NJ native in the Sports Illustrated SI Players Questions section of the February 13 issue.

"I would like to thank the Newark Bears for this great opportunity to be a professional baseball coach," said Murphy. "In the beginning, I was nervous about coaching third base because of the signs, but once I settled in and felt the rhythm of the game, I realized how exciting it is to wave a player home."

The first 1,500 fans received a limited edition Troy Murphy Figurine, featuring Murphy wearing a Bears red alternate jersey with his basketball number one, home white baseball pants, and basketball sneakers. The Murphy figurine is holding a basketball in his left hand, and a baseball bat in his right hand. In addition, fans in attendance were entertained by a pre-game autograph signing, Murphy bringing out the lineup card to the umpires, coaching third base, giving the signs, and eating sunflower seeds. He even participated in basketball specific on-field promotions where children from the stands were chosen at random to play one-on-one with the 6-foot-11 NBA star.

"From the beginning to the end, it was a great day to be a part of," said Bears General Manager John Brandt. "To watch Troy Murphy take batting practice with the team, signing autographs for the fans, and participate in the game led to a great atmosphere around the stadium."

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