Leo Murphy (baseball)

Leo Joseph "Red"[1] Murphy (January 7, 1889 – August 12, 1960) was a catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 1915 season. Listed at 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m), 179 lb, Murphy batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Murphy started his professional career in 1912 with Double-A Columbus Senators of the American Association. He spent three years in the Minor leagues before joining the Pirates early in the 1915 season. While in Pittsburgh, he served as a backup for regular catcher George Gibson. He hit .098 (4-for-41) in 31 games, including four RBI and four runs scored.

Following his majors career, Murphy returned to minor league action for five more years between 1916 and 1927. In a nine-season career, he was a .255 hitter with 15 home runs in 801 games. He later coached in the minors and also managed during five years in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League for the Racine Belles, leading them to three consecutive playoff appearances, including the Championship Title in 1946. He posted a combined 310–259 record for a .554 winning percentage.

Murphy was a longtime resident of Racine, Wisconsin, where he died at the age of 71.