Daniel Murphy was home, regardless of what colors he was wearing. He was home, no matter how long it had been since he had been back in Queens.
Tuesday night, fans at Citi Field made Murphy feel at home again. Then, they made sure he knew it wouldn’t feel like that again anytime soon.
The new Nationals second baseman returned to New York to play his first-ever game against the Mets and was initially treated as if October had just ended, as if he never left for a division rival. They stood and applauded during his first at-bat after he spent seven seasons in Queens. They cheered during a pregame video tribute for the NLCS MVP whose postseason performance for the ages led the Mets to their first World Series in 15 years.
It is what Murphy — who waved his cap to the crowd in appreciation — had hoped, his veins still stained orange and blue.
“You spend almost a decade in the Mets organization, so I don’t know if that’s something that I’ll ever completely wash off,” Murphy said before the Mets’ 2-0 win. “That’s not going to wash off easily.”
By his second at-bat, Mets fans scrubbed away the tattoo and remembered the reality that it was May and Murphy was on the team posing the biggest threat in the NL East.
As Murphy walked to the plate in the fourth inning, a chorus of boos made it sound like Bryce Harper was taking another at-bat rather than the player that was drafted by the Mets in 2006 and stayed until rejecting a one-year qualifying offer to sign a three-year, $37.5 million contract with Washington.
“I wouldn’t expect them to cheer me for the next 20 times we see each other,” said Murphy, who went 1-for-3, with his .399 average still topping the majors. “They’re wearing orange and blue and I’ve got the red on now and that’s what makes it so much fun.”
Before the game, Murphy received his NL championship ring in a private ceremony from general manager Sandy Alderson. Hitting coach Kevin Long was first to greet him on the field, screaming — “Murph!” — and hugging him. Fans held signs that read “Miss U Murph” and “Thanks Murph,” younger fans screaming they “still love” him as he took the field.
“It was very nice of them, one for the organization to play that video before the game … and the ovation from the crowd left me humbled, to say the least,” Murphy said. “It took a little getting used to coming out of the third-base dugout … but it was definitely a lot of fun.”
Murphy said some Mets would remain friends of his forever, that their conversations continue, but the topics have changed. Earlier in the day, Murphy sent Steven Matz a text to let the southpaw know he was glad his elbow issue wasn’t serious, but felt it inappropriate to ask if Matz would pitch in this series.
There is a line now, a knowledge that “prison rules” are in effect against the division rival.
But for a moment, Murphy was home. Then, he learned it won’t be again while he plays for Washington.
“A lot of great memories here,” Murphy said. “But the red gets more comfortable each day.”
