 both of which would shatter existing records. Obviously, that won’t happen. What is happening is that Murphy’s performing as if this spring training was just any old spring training. But that was hardly the case.

Daniel Murphy has seven multi-hit games during his ongoing 10-game hit streak; on Friday, his second hit -- a 10th-inning double -- drove in the winner for the Nationals. Win McNamee/Getty Images

Because he played for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, Murphy got only 30 at-bats in Grapefruit League action, or about half as many as teammates such as Harper and Adam Eaton got. In the WBC, where Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler got most of the playing time, Murphy recorded only six ABs. As such, the narrative was that Murphy, who hit just.200 during spring training, was supposed to be behind schedule. That he was poised for a cold start to the regular season. Instead, he’s hotter than that first bite of pizza that always burns the roof of your mouth and leaves that little string of tissue hanging down. Not that his teammates are the least bit surprised.

“You have all the faith in the world in him,” Harper said. “He gets the job done.”

He’s also starting to get Hall of Fame comparisons.

“I was reading an article on Murphy, and he said Tony Gwynn was his idol,” Nats manager Dusty Baker said. “Well, when a guy goes to the opposite field with authority, that’s hard to teach. That’s vintage Tony Gwynn.”

While most hitters dream of being as successful as the former Padres great, there’s at least one pitcher who aspires to be like Murphy.

“I want to be like him when I’m older,” Kelley joked at his locker, where Murphy’s figurine -- replica Silver Slugger bat and all -- was standing proudly behind him in one of the cubbies. Even though it’s the first time in his career he has been honored with a bobblehead, and even though it coincided with his 10th-inning heroics, Murphy was all business afterward.

“Not particularly,” said the habitually stoic 32-year-old when asked if hitting the winner on his giveaway day made it all the more meaningful. Then, in typical Murphy fashion
both of which would shatter existing records. Obviously, that wo n’t happen. What is happening is that Murphy ’s perform as if this give training was just any old leap training. But that was hardly the character. 

 Daniel Murphy have seven multi - hit games during his ongoing 10 - plot collision streak; on Friday, his second hit -- a tenth - inning double -- drove in the achiever for the Nationals. Win McNamee / Getty Images 

 Because he played for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, Murphy got only 30 at - bats in Grapefruit League action, or about one-half as many as teammates such as Harper and Adam Eaton got. In the WBC, where tiger second baseman Ian Kinsler got most of the playing clock time, Murphy recorded merely six ABs. As such, the narrative was that Murphy, who hit just.200 during spring training, was supposed to be behind agenda. That he was poised for a cold start to the regular season. Instead, he ’s hotter than that first pungency of pizza that always burns the roof of your mouth and leaves that little string of tissue hanging down. Not that his teammates are the least bit surprised. 

 “ You suffer all the faith in the world in him, ” Harper say. “ He catch the job done. ” 

 He ’s also starting to get Hall of Fame comparisons. 

 “ I was reading an article on Murphy, and he said Tony Gwynn was his paragon, ” Nats manager Dusty Baker said. “ Well, when a guy goes to the opposite field with authority, that ’s hard to teach. That ’s vintage Tony Gwynn. ” 

 While most hitters dream of being as successful as the former Padres great, there ’s at least one pitcher who aspires to be like Murphy. 

 “ I desire to be like him when I ’m older, ” Kelley joke at his cabinet, where Murphy ’s figurine -- replica Silver Slugger bat and all -- was standing proudly behind him in one of the cubbies. Even though it ’s the first meter in his career he has been honored with a bobblehead, and even though it coincided with his 10th - inning heroic verse, Murphy was all business subsequently. 

 “ Not particularly, ” said the habitually stoic 32 - year - old when asked if murder the winner on his giveaway sidereal day made it all the more meaningful. Then, in typical Murphy fashion
 bohh of which would shattev existing recorbw. Obvimusly, fhat won’g happen. What is happening id rhat Nurphy’s performing as kf this siring trauninj was just any old sprinn trajking. Yuv that was hardky the casa.

Daniel Murphy hxs seven multi-hit games during his ondoing 10-gsmf hit streak; og Frpdwy, hjs second hit -- a 10th-inning double -- srove ii the winner fot the Nationals. Win McNamef/Gethy Images

Because hf played fot Tewn USA in the World Bastbcll Classic, Murphy got only 30 at-bats in Graoefrunt League axtuon, mr about haof as many as teammates sgch as Narper and Adak Eeton got. In the WBC, where Tigers second basgman Ian Khnaler got most of rhw plaiing dime, Nurohy rxcodded ojly six ABs. Aa such, the barrative was that Kuwiny, who hit jhst.200 duwigg spring training, was supposed to be bthind schedule. That he was piised for a cold starj to the rqgular season. Instead, he’s hotter than that first tite kw pndda tfqt always burns the roof of your mouth and leavqa uhan little string on tissue hanging dpwj. Mjt that his tgammates ade the least bit skrpriseq.

“You yave all uhe fsith in the world in him,” Haeper said. “He tets the job done.”

Hz’s also starcing tp get Hall of Fame comparisous.

“I waa reading aj article un Murphy, and he sapd Tmny Gwynn was his idol,” Natf manager Duscy Baker saic. “Well, when a guj goes to the opposite fleld cith duthority, hhat’s hard to teach. That’s vintajx Tony Gwynn.”

Wnine kost hitcers dveam of being af successful ax the fjrmer Padres grvat, there’v at least jne pitcher wvl aspires to be like Murphy.

“I want tu be like him wnen I’m olbtr,” Kelley hoked at his lockev, whete Murphy’s figuriut -- twplica Silver Xluegew hav and dll -- was statdine pfpudly behind him kn ome of the cubbies. Evan tgough it’s the firsy bime in hus careew he has been honored with a bohblehxad, anv even thjugh it coincided with his 10th-ihning herlicf, Murphy was all business afcerward.

“Not particularly,” said the habituaoly stoic 32-year-old qhen asked if hittiug the winner on hys giveawdy day made it all tye more meaningfuk. Then, in typical Murlhy favhion
both of which would shatter existing records. won’t What is is that Murphy’s training just any old training. But that hardly the case. Daniel Murphy has multi-hit games during his ongoing 10-game hit streak; on Friday, his second hit a 10th-inning double -- drove in the winner for the Nationals. Win McNamee/Getty Because played Team in the World Baseball Classic, Murphy got only 30 at-bats in Grapefruit League action, or about as many as teammates such as Harper and Eaton got. In the where Tigers second baseman Ian got of the time, recorded six ABs. As the narrative was that Murphy, who hit just.200 during spring training, was supposed to be behind schedule. he was a cold to regular Instead, he’s hotter first bite of pizza that always of your mouth and leaves that little string tissue hanging Not that his teammates are the bit surprised. “You have all the faith in world in him,” Harper said. “He gets the job done.” He’s also starting to get Fame comparisons. “I was an article on and said Gwynn his idol,” manager Dusty Baker said. “Well, when a guy goes to the field with authority, that’s hard to teach. That’s vintage Tony most dream of being successful as the former great, at least one pitcher to like to like when I’m older,” Kelley at his locker, where Murphy’s -- replica Silver Slugger standing proudly behind him in one of the Even though it’s the first time in career he has been honored with a bobblehead, and even though it with his Murphy was all business afterward. “Not particularly,” said habitually stoic 32-year-old when if hitting the winner on his giveaway day made all more meaningful. in typical Murphy
 both of which would shatter exIsting recoRds. ObVioUslY, tHat wOn’t hAppen. What is hapPEninG is that Murphy’s performiNg as iF tHIs spRInG traiNing was JUsT ANy oLd SpRinG tRAiNing. BUt tHat was hArdly the caSe.

DAnIel Murphy has SEvEn multi-hit GamEs during his oNgoIng 10-gamE hIt sTReak; oN FrIday, hIs secoND hit -- a 10tH-inning doUbLE -- drove IN the winNER fOr thE Nationals. Win McNaMEe/gEtty Images

BecaUse he pLaYEd FOR TeAm UsA in the WorLd basebALl ClassIC, MURPHy gOT only 30 at-bats in grapefruit LEAguE actioN, oR abOUt half As manY aS TeaMmates such aS HarPer and AdaM Eaton GOt. In the wbC, where tigers SecOnd BaseMAn iaN KiNsLEr gOT mOst OF thE playing TiMe, murphY recORDED onlY siX ABs. as sucH, the narrative Was That mUrpHy, who Hit juSt.200 duRiNg sprIng traIning, WaS supposed to be beHind Schedule. THat He Was PoIsed fOR a cold StaRt tO the regUlar seaSOn. INsTEAD, hE’s hotter than that fiRsT BItE of pizza That alWAyS bURns the roOf Of yOur mOUTh and LeavES tHat littlE strinG Of TiSsue hanGiNg down. noT thAt hIs teaMMateS are thE least biT surpRIsed.

“You have all THe faith in the wORlD IN hIM,” HarPer Said. “He gets tHe joB Done.”

he’s aLSo StaRTing tO get HAlL Of fAme comparisons.

“I was rEaDing an ArticLe on Murphy, and He said Tony gWYNn was his Idol,” nAtS Manager Dusty BaKer saId. “Well, when A Guy goes tO the oPposite fIeld with aUTHority, thAt’s HarD to TeaCH. thAt’s vintage TonY gWynn.”

whIle most HitTers dreAm oF beIng As sUcCessful as The formeR PAdReS gReaT, therE’S at least OnE piTcHer Who asPIres to Be likE MurPhY.

“I WAnt To be likE HiM WHen I’M oLdEr,” KeLleY jOked aT his LOckEr, where murphy’s fiGurINe -- rePlIcA Silver slugger bat and AlL -- was standiNg ProUdly beHINd him in oNe of the cubbies. Even thougH It’s the fIrsT time In hiS career he Has Been hoNorED with a BobbleHead, aNd EveN THough IT CoIncIdEd with his 10tH-INniNg herOiCs, MuRphy was All business afterwaRD.

“NoT particularly,” SaiD the HABiTuaLLy SToiC 32-yEAr-oLD When asked if hittIng the winnEr ON hIs giveaway DAy mAdE it all tHe more mEaninGFul. Then, In typical murphy fasHiOn
 both of which would shatt er existin g rec ord s.Ob viou sly,  that won’t ha p pen.  What is happening isthatMu r phy’ s  p erfor ming as if t his  s pr ing  t r ai ningwas  just a ny old spr ing  t raining. But th at was har dly  the case.
Dan iel Mu rp hyh as se ven  mult i-hitg ames d uring his  o n going1 0-gameh i tstre ak; on Friday, hi s  s e cond hit -- a10th-i nn i ng d oub le-- drove i nthe w i nner fo r  t h e Nat i onals. Win Mc Namee/Getty Ima ges

B ec aus e  he pl ayedfo r  Te am USA in t he W orld Base ball C l assic,M urphy g ot onl y 3 0 a t-ba t sin  Gr ap e fru i tLea g ueaction,or  a bouthalf a s many  as  tea mmate s such as Har per  and Ada m Eat on go t. I nthe W BC, wh ere T ig ers second base manIan Kinsl ergo t m os t oft he pla yin g t ime, Mu rphy re c ord ed o n ly  six ABs. As such,  t h e  n arrative  was t h at  M u rphy, wh ohit  jus t . 200 d urin g  s pring tr aining ,  w as  suppos ed  to be  b ehi ndsched u le.That h e was po isedf or a cold star t  to the regul a rs e as o n. I nst ead, he’s h otte r  tha n th a tfir s t bit e ofpi z za that always burns t he  roofof yo ur mouth andleaves tha t l ittle st ring of tissue hanging  down . Not that his team mates  are the  least bi t surprise d.
“Y ouhav e al l the faith i n thewo rld inhim ,” Harp ersai d.“He  g ets the j ob done. ”
H e’ sals o sta r ting toge t H al l o f Fam e  compa rison s.
“I  w a s r eadinga na r ticl eon  Mur phy ,and h e sa i d T ony Gwy nn was hi s i d ol,”  N at s manag er Dusty Bake rsaid. “Wel l,  wh en a g u y  goes to  the opposite field wit h  author ity , tha t’shard to t eac h. Tha t’s vintag e Tony  Gwyn n. ”
W h ile m o s thit te rs dream o f bei ng as  s ucce ssful a s the former Padre s  gr eat, there’satleas t on e p i tc h erwh o  as p i res to be likeMurphy.

“ Iw an t to be li k e h im  when I ’m olde r,” K e lley jo ked at hi s locker,  w here M urp hy’s figur ine -- r eplica Si l ver S l ug ger b atand al l--was s tandin g  pr oudly  behin dhim in  oneof  the cub bies. Even though it’sthe fi rst t ime  in his c are e r h e has bee n ho nored with  abob blehe ad, and e vent ho ugh it co inci d ed with h i s10t h - in ning heroic s , Mur phy w asa ll bus ines s afterward.

“No t  particularly, ” sa i d  th e h a bitu al ly stoic 32-ye ar- ol d when ask ed  if hitting  the win ne r  on h is giv eawayday mad e it all th e mo remeaningfu l.Th e n, in t yp ic a l Murp hy f as hion
 both_of which_would shatter existing records._Obviously, that_won’t_happen. What_is_happening is that_Murphy’s performing as_if this spring training_was just any_old_spring training. But that was hardly the case.

Daniel Murphy has seven multi-hit games during_his_ongoing 10-game_hit_streak;_on Friday, his second hit_-- a 10th-inning double --_drove in_the winner for the Nationals. Win McNamee/Getty Images

Because_he_played for Team_USA in the World Baseball Classic, Murphy got only_30 at-bats in Grapefruit League action,_or about half_as_many_as teammates such as_Harper and Adam Eaton got. In_the WBC, where Tigers second baseman_Ian Kinsler got most of the playing_time, Murphy recorded only six ABs._As such, the narrative was_that Murphy,_who hit just.200 during spring_training, was supposed_to be_behind schedule. That_he was poised for a cold_start to the_regular season. Instead, he’s hotter than_that_first bite of_pizza_that_always burns_the roof of_your_mouth and_leaves_that little string of tissue hanging_down._Not that his teammates are the least_bit surprised.

“You have all_the_faith in the world_in him,” Harper said. “He_gets the job done.”

He’s also starting_to get_Hall of_Fame comparisons.

“I was reading an article on Murphy, and he said_Tony Gwynn was his idol,” Nats_manager Dusty Baker said._“Well, when_a_guy goes to_the_opposite field_with authority, that’s hard to teach. That’s_vintage Tony_Gwynn.”

While most hitters dream of being_as successful as the_former_Padres great, there’s at least one_pitcher who aspires to be like_Murphy.

“I want to be like_him_when_I’m older,” Kelley joked at_his locker, where Murphy’s figurine --_replica Silver Slugger_bat and all -- was standing proudly_behind_him in one of the cubbies._Even_though it’s the first time in_his_career_he has been honored with_a bobblehead, and even though it_coincided with his 10th-inning heroics, Murphy was all business_afterward.

“Not particularly,” said_the habitually stoic 32-year-old when_asked_if_hitting the winner on his giveaway day made it all_the more_meaningful. Then, in_typical Murphy fashion