Q&A with FSL president Chuck Murphy
Where will you be on Opening Day?
I don't know really. I might try to get over to Clearwater, the league champions, this year. I always try to be at the opener of the team that won last year's championship.
What are you most looking forward to in the 2008 season?
We have a good season with the weather helping us out, no hurricanes with the Florida weather. Also, I hope that all the clubs have a good year attendance-wise.
What is one little-known fact about being a league president?
People don't realize the scope of a league president's responsibility. There is a lot to do to get the season started. Once the season starts, it slows down a little bit but not too much. People don't realize how much work the league president has on his plate.
5. What is your favorite part about being league president?
Getting a chance to visit the clubs and see what they're doing. Seeing young executives move up and get promoted to higher levels. We are like a family in the league. We talk a lot and exchange ideas.
What would you be doing if you didn't work in baseball?
I don't know. I spent 21 years in the military and have been in baseball since then. I might be retired.
What's your favorite Minor League promotion?
What comes to mind right away is the Daytona Cubs. Every Monday they have a belly buster promotion. You pay $10 for your ticket and you are able to eat and drink all you want. It is a great promotion. Lots of families come out and it is one of their biggest nights every homestand.
What is your favorite Minor League memory?
I had a great time as a general manager of the Evansville Triplets with Jim Leyland as the manager of the club. We won an American Association championship in 1979. We had a lot of fun and a lot of those guys went on to help the Detroit Tigers win the 1984 World Series.
Have you ever witnessed a no-hitter? If so...when and where?
Two of them right here in Daytona when Kerry Wood was here in 1996. They weren't complete games because he was on a pitch count. He tossed eight no-hit innings (on July 28) and seven (Aug. 24) a month later in what were combined no-hitters.
If I were a Minor League mascot, I would be...
Cubby in Daytona.
Evan Jacobson is a contributor to MLB.com.