Daniel Murphy Joins An Exclusive Club

High-fives all around for Daniel Murphy, who has become quite an all-around player. (Getty Images)

Daniel Murphy hit his 10th home run of the season last night at Petco Park, a two-run shot off former 20-game winner Ian Kennedy.  The blast allowed Murphy to reach double digits in home runs for only the second time in his career and the first time since 2009 when he led the team with 12 homers.

Murphy had already achieved a career high in stolen bases, having swiped 14 bags as of Friday night.  That puts Murphy in an exclusive club among Mets' second basemen.

Player	Year	Home Runs	Stolen Bases
Gregg Jefferies	1989	12	21
Gregg Jefferies	1990	15	11
Roberto Alomar	2002	11	16
Daniel Murphy	2013	10	14

By reaching double digits in home runs and stolen bases, Murphy has become only the third second sacker in franchise history to accomplish the feat.  Murphy's rare feat has been accomplished only by Gregg Jefferies (twice) and Roberto Alomar.  Ironically, both Jefferies and Alomar were said to have underachieved in New York, despite posting power/speed numbers that had never been seen before by a second baseman in club annals.

Whether or not Murphy will be seen in the same negative light as Jefferies and Alomar remains to be seen.  But all indications are that he will not.  As of today, he is a fan favorite who has worked his way to becoming a major league second baseman.  He has also worked his way to accomplishing a rare feat for a Mets second baseman, combining the ability to drive the ball out of the park with a keen eye for when to steal a base.

Murphy is not the strongest guy on the team, nor is he the swiftest.  But he is a member of an exclusive club - one that never opened its doors for fellow Mets second basemen Edgardo Alfonzo, Jeff Kent or Ken Boswell.  It's an honor that shouldn't be taken lightly.