The Tribune

By JONATHAN BURROWS

Tribune Sports Reporter

jburrows@tribunemedia.net

BERTRAM “BJ” Murray Jr finally got his opportunity at the highest level of baseball on Tuesday night, making his Major League Baseball debut for the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

The 26-year-old New Providence native went 1-for-4 against the Milwaukee Brewers, recording his first Major League hit on an infield single in the sixth inning as the Cubs fell 9-4.  

Murray’s promotion came after a standout season with Triple-A Iowa, where he batted .294 with 16 home runs, 68 RBIs, 24 doubles, nine triples and a .895 OPS in 118 games. 

The Cubs selected Murray in the 15th round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Florida Atlantic University, making his path to the Majors a lengthy one.

He said he never allowed his draft position to convince him that reaching the big leagues was beyond his reach. “I wouldn’t say doubts,” Murray told Marquee Sports Network. “I think I knew it was gonna be a little bit of a challenge, but I always believed that I could do it.”

That confidence has remained central to Murray throughout his development.

“I’ve been playing my whole life and I just never thought like that it was impossible, if that makes sense,” he said.

Murray received the news of his promotion in a late-night phone call from his Triple-A manager. His parents were the first people he contacted afterward, and both were in attendance for his debut.

“My parents. You would have thought my dad was getting his debut,” Murray said. “He was so excited.”

Murray was named after his father, Bertram, who in turn shares the name with Murray’s late grandfather.

His breakthrough season at Iowa was built through the daily work he believes has allowed him to reach this point.

“Just working every day and you know trusting in God’s plan for my life,” Murray said. “I put in a lot of work to get here and you know, just trusting in myself.”

The switch-hitting infielder has also developed into a versatile player, with experience at first and third base as well as in the outfield. He began switch hitting around age 12 or 13, despite being naturally right-handed.

His decision to try hitting left-handed came during tennis-ball games in The Bahamas.

“In the Bahamas, we used to play like tennis ball games on a T-ball field, like a small field, and I would hit lefty because righty was kind of too easy at the time,” Murray said.

“So I tried. I would do it lefty and I was okay and I asked my dad, I was like, I should do this in a game, and I’ve been doing it since.”

Murray grew up watching the New York Yankees and cited Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano among the players who inspired him. His brothers and father also played important roles in his development.

Another familiar face was nearby when Murray began his first Major League experience.

Murray and Pete Crow-Armstrong were teammates in the 2023 All-Star Futures Game, and Crow-Armstrong has since established himself with the Cubs. “It was just sick to be there with Pete,” Murray said of their Futures Game experience. Murray also recalled seeing Crow-Armstrong immediately make an impact in that game. “I think he led off the game with a hit. I’m pretty sure,” he said. “I mean Pete’s Pete, you know, electric wherever he is.”

Murray arrived in Chicago without knowing exactly how Craig Counsell intends to use him, but he is approaching the opportunity with an open mind.

“I just here to enjoy this experience and soak in all the information that I can and make the most out of the opportunities that I do get,” he said.

Before making his debut, Murray had already taken batting practice at Wrigley Field and returned to the field the following day.

Stepping onto the field for the first time brought a mixture of emotions for the Bahamian.

“It was a lot of emotions,” Murray said. “I can’t really put it into like one word, but it’s just a bunch of feelings, you know. It was fun.”

Murray became the second Bahamian to play for the Cubs, joining Andre Rodgers, and the latest Bahamas-born player to reach the Major Leagues. 

For a player who entered professional baseball as a 15th-round pick, his first Major League hit was another significant step in a journey that has taken him from New Providence to Wrigley Field.