MLB: Noble: Hernandez tutoring Murphy at first base

I won’t say that Murphy belongs in the dugout, but he doesn’t belong at first base!

But no less an authority than Hernandez senses that Murphy can be an asset on the right side of the infield and give the Mets one less reason for pause.

“The way he works and as aggressive as he is, I expect him to be more than adequate,” Hernandez said Tuesday evening from the East Coast of Florida, hours after he and Murphy had completed a second session. “Some of what he does already—playing aggressively and always trying to get the lead runners—that can’t be taught. So he’s ahead of the game. Other things he can learn. I’m more than happy to help.”

Hernandez’s assessment of Murphy’s performance at first base—Murphy started 97 games and played 849 1/3 innings there last season—was properly qualified.

“Under the circumstances—he had zero experience there—he was very decent. I like his hands; you can’t teach good hands. I like his aggressiveness. He played admirably.”

Murphy’s objective is to be an asset at first base, to exceed expectations that seem to overlook his surprisingly effective play last summer after his flawed attempts to play left field. Toward that goal, he enlisted Hernandez’s expertise in December. An illness in Murphy’s family made pre-holiday sessions impossible. But general manager Omar Minaya, aware of Murphy’s desire for tutoring from a master, contacted Hernandez last week. The former Mets captain and now SNY commentator agreed to help and reprise his role of spring 2000.