The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER producing a productive power-hitting Minor League season with the Iowa Cubs Triple A team this year, Bertram 'BJ' Murray will get promoted to Major League Baseball today by the Chicago Cubs.

Manager Craig Counsell has announced that he will award Murray with one of the two extra spots available to complete the Cubs' 40-man roster going into the home stretch for the postseason. 

"BJ is going to be active tomorrow (today)," Counsell said prior to Monday night's game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field. "We just brought him here a day early to get the lay of the land and acclimate himself.

"He's had a tremendous Minor League season. He's done great and has put himself into a conversation for a while now. So, I'm happy for him."

The 5-foot, 11-inch third baseman will join Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr, the only other Bahamian currently playing in MLB with the New York Yankees.

Murray, 26, is coming off a season where he played in 118 games with Triple A Iowa this season. He had 24 doubles, nine triples and 16 home runs, driving in 68 runs (RBI) and scoring 74 runs. He also had nine stolen bases and walked 69 times.

Murray and Chisholm Jr follow a list of seven other Bahamians who played MLB, including Andre Rodgers, who is listed as the first from 1957-1967 with the San Francisco Giants, Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates, Tony Curry with the Philadelphia Phillies and Indians from 1960-1966, Ed Armbrister with the Cincinnati Reds from 1973-1977, Wenty Ford with the Atlanta Braves in 1973, Wilfred 'Sudgy' Culmer with the Cleveland Indians in 1983, Antoan Richardson with the Atlanta Braves and Yankes from 2011-2014 and Lucius Fox with the Washington Nationals in 2022.

Richardson, now the first base coach for the Atlanta Braves, had nothing but praise for Murray, who was unavailable for comments up to press time last night. 

"I'm super excited for BJ and his family. BJ has put in a lot of time and has committed a lot to this opportunity," Richardson said. "Getting a chance to see him work over the last couple of years is just exciting.

"This is just a matter of time as to when it would have happened. The cool part of his story is that he did it his way. He went to college, got drafted out of college, spent some time in the minor league and he got to the majors."

Richardson said it makes it super special because most players would prefer to sign their professional contracts rather than go to college and go through the ranks.

"I can't wait to see him in Chicago in a couple of weeks," Richardson stressed. "But nothing but well wishes for him and his success in this game."

The Cubs, winners of the last three division crowns, are currently in second place in the National League's Central Division with a 77-60 win-loss record behind the Brewers - who are 85-52 - as they head towards the playoff rush.

Chicago and Milwaukee are playing a four-game series through Thursday at Wrigley Field. Following that series, the Cubs will host the Miami Marlins from September 4-6 and then the  Brewers return from September 7-9 and the Pirates from September 11-12.

The Bahamas Baseball Association, headed by Clarence 'CJ'  McKenzie, sent its congratulations to Murray and his family from the baseball fraternity.

"It is with tremendous pride and excitement that the Bahamas Baseball Association congratulates Murray on reaching one of the greatest milestones in baseball — being called up to the Major Leagues with the Chicago Cubs," McKenzie said. 

"This achievement represents far more than a personal one. He is now the newest Bahamian to reach the Major Leagues, and in doing so, he has added another incredible chapter to the history of Bahamian baseball."

McKenzie said Murray's journey is a reminder to every young baseball player in the country that dreams can become reality. He came from the fields of The Bahamas to the highest level of professional baseball.

"He continued to have an exceptional professional career in the minors and we were eagerly awaiting for this moment," McKenzie said.

To the Murray family, his coaches, teammates, mentors, the Junior Baseball League of Nassau and everyone who has supported him along the way, McKenzie said the BBA celebrates them as well.

"BJ is a very proud Bahamian and he knows playing on a Major League field wearing the Chicago Cubs uniform, he is also carrying the pride of The Bahamas," he stressed. "We look forward to him taking the field and having a successful career in the Majors."

His parents Bertram Jr and Michelle Murray said they were getting ready for bed when they got the call around midnight on Sunday. They both were ecstatic about the news as they had been with their two other sons, Brandon and Byron Murray, who also played minor league baseball, but are now both working in West Palm Beach, Florida. 

"We are thankful. We're extremely thankful. We know that BJ has put in a lot of work and he kept his hands to the wheel and he trusted in God and here we are. He got the call to say he's made it," said the proud father, who also played both baseball and softball.

"He's realising his dream."

Having played baseball himself at the collegiate level, his father said "baseball is baseball whether it's Triple A or Major League," he noted.

"We want him to continue on being focused because it’s still baseball.

"It's nothing different. The stadium will be different, but the game is still played between the lines."

As for his mother Michelle, who is considered to be his number one cheering fan on the sideline, she expressed his gratitude to God for affording her son the opportunity. 

"We understand that this could only happen through God's grace and mercy," she said. "We just hope that he continues to work hard and to trust the process and do what is necessary to produce good numbers and be a productive member of the team."

After playing for Trinity Christian where he was named to the First Team All-American, Murray took his talents to Florida Atlantic University and then was selected in the 15th round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Cubs. He earned recognition as a Futures Game selection in 2023 before reaching Triple A, where he has continued refining both his offensive approach and defensive versatility.

He made his pro debut with the ACL Cubs, batting .286/.344/.482 in 16 games. In '22, he played for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (.305/.441/.461 in 39 G) and the South Bend Cubs (.273/.388/.406 in 56 G) with a 839 OPS overall, playing primarily first base. 

He was four for 19 with a walk and a homer for the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League. He was also one of nine Bahamians that played for Great Britain's team for the 2023 World Baseball Classic and he was named to the National League's team for the 2023 Futures Game.

Now that he's earned the rights to play in MLB, his parents say they are making preparations for their trip to see their son play, just as they have done countless times in the minor league.