The Sporting News NL Rookie Pitcher of the Year in 1983, the skinny, bespectacled Texan debuted with a 15-9, 3.08 ERA mark to lead the Braves staff. He slumped to 9-17 in 1984, and in 1985 he was hampered by elbow problems. He was moved to the bullpen in 1985, and he never had a winning record after his rookie season.
After compiling an 0-3 record in 23 appearances with Texas in 1990, McMurtry failed to see any major-league action until a brief return as a replacement player during the players’ strike in 1994. The decision backfired during the 1995 season when his late-season call-up drew protests from his Astros teammates.
