1988 – John Patrick “Jack” Murphy

Born in Denver, Colorado, on February 5, 1923, sportswriting legend John Patrick “Jack” Murphy won the National Headliner Award, and awards for columns on golf and horse racing during his outstanding career. Murphy began his career working at newspapers in Tulsa, before working at the Oklahoma City Times, and theFort Worth Star-Telegram. Then in 1950, he moved to California to work at the San Diego Union as a Sportswriter. In 1951, he was promoted to Sports Editor and Columnist, the position he held until his death in 1980. During his time at the Union, Murphy also wrote pieces for Sports Illustrated, Collier’s, Venture Magazine,The Saturday Evening Post, Golf Digest, and The New York Times. Along with his work in newspapers, Murphy was also helped to shape the San Diego sports scene. He was instrumental in moving the Chargers from Los Angeles to San Diego in 1961, and helped San Diego land the Padres as an expansion team in 1969. Murphy was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame on May 3, 1988.