Indians fans apologize to David Murphy

There were mixed reactions when the Indians signed David Murphy to a 2-year, $12-million deal in November. In Murphy, some saw a player who'd been an above average hitter almost every year of his career, saw a BABIP 75 points below his career figure last year and figured he was due for a rebound. Some saw his platoon splits and figured that (paired with Ryan Raburn) he represented an upgrade for the Tribe at a weak position. Others saw a player who posted the worst season of his career in 2013, who'd just turned 32, and figured he was the second coming of David Dellucci (who was below replacement level for the Tribe over the course of three season after being signed as a free agent).

Murphy has been heavily criticized by fans for most of this season's first two weeks, after he put up poor numbers in spring training and went just 2 for 14 through the season's first six days. He had 4 hits last Sunday, and 2 more on Tuesday, including his first home run with the team.Yesterday Murphy homered again, tying the game in the 4th, and then he broke the game open with a bases-loaded triple in the 9th that effectively ended the game. Most fans weren't won over by the first two good games, but (three times the charm) Sunday things finally changed.

Tribe fans on Twitter were taking back what they'd said:

Welp looks like I was wrong about David Murphy @Indians #tribetown

— doug fennell (@DougEFresh_m4l) April 12, 2014

David Murphy been proving me wrong.

— Dan Dolosich (@Danny_D23) April 12, 2014

I take back anything I ever said about David Murphy

— Jimmy Strickland (@StricklyTweetin) April 12, 2014

Man I'll be the first to say it, David Murphy has proven me wrong.

— MikeAvilesCalves (@MikeCalves) April 12, 2014

Gotta admit...David Murphy looks really really really good #unfinishedbusiness

— Ryan Napoli (@rnaps95) April 12, 2014

I wish I would have saved all of the hate for David Murphy at the beginning of the year. Typical Cleveland fan mentality. #LetHimPlay

— Nicholas Tabar (@CPcoasterguy94) April 12, 2014

Dear David Murphy, We were wrong. Sincerely, Cleveland fans.

— Zach Rayle (@ZRayle2016) April 12, 2014

Some felt an apology was in order:

I apologize to David Murphy.

— Mike (@CLEWolverine) April 12, 2014

David Murphy is ballin I have to apologize

— Nicholas E. Stanton (@iRepCleveland) April 12, 2014

Some felt the need to thank a high power:

Thank You God, for David Murphy! #Tribe #Murph

— Cavalette23 (@Cavalette23) April 12, 2014

Thank god for David Murphy!! #RollTribe

— Emily Roxbury (@EmilyRoxbury) April 12, 2014

While others wondered if David Murphy is a higher power:

David Murphy is your god now. #GoTribe

— tristatebb (@tristatebb) April 12, 2014

All hail David Murphy

— Kenny Harvey (@kenny_harvey) April 12, 2014

At the moment, Murphy has the best offensive numbers of any player on the team, leading the Tribe in slugging (.636), OPS (.970), HR (2), 3B (1), and RBI (10). It seems Murphy also leads the team in new fans.