Dale Murphy Ken Levine/Getty Images

SI writer Richard Deitsch recently interviewed 49-year-old Dale Murphy for the magazine's Q&A. The two-time NL MVP (and one of SI's Sportsman of the Year in 1987) is the author of The Scouting Report, a how-to guide to negotiating life as a professional athlete. Here are excerpts from the rest of their conversation.

SI: A couple of today's players (such as Kyle Farnsworth) name you as their favorite player. Have any current athletes contacted you for career advice? Murphy: Not really. I'd love that opportunity. Living where we are living in Alpine, Utah, I'm not around the much but I'd love to talk to guys about stuff.

SI: Among your experiences, which athlete managed their career the right way? Murphy: Phil Niekro. He played as hard as he could. He played hurt. People don't know how many times he went out when he didn't feel too good. And I felt the business of his career was handled really well and in a professional way. He didn't do negotiating in the papers. And some people still handle things that way now. I don't read or hear a lot about Derek Jeter or his contract. He just does it. He plays hard, he plays every day, and he loves the game. He gives back to the community. He handles his business affairs in a professional way. It can be done.

SI: Would you have enjoyed playing in this era of showmanship?
Murphy: There is more showmanship but let's be honest: I'd love to play for half of [the money] these guys are playing for now. I would not have any problem playing now. No one ever came up and told me this when I played, but you didn't walk around drawing attention to yourself. It wasn't professional and showed a lack of respect for the other team. ... When you do that in baseball is you get thrown at. (laughs). You hit a ball good, duck your head and run the bases. There's a lot more TV highlights and marketing today. I mean, guys have there own Web sites! It's all changed. But every player could play in any era. They just would have got knocked down so much the showboating would have stopped.

SI: You played for Joe Torre and Bobby Cox, arguably the two best managers over the past decade. Are there any links between them?
Murphy: There's one that stands out even though they both had their different personalities: The respect the players had for each of them. That's the common thread for successful managers. Torre and Cox have it from their players. It doesn't matter if they are veterans making a lot of money or rookies. It's critical that the manager has the respect of players so he can make the moves that he feels is appropriate without having somebody go to the papers. They respect you. So you respect them back.

SI: The Hall of Fame voting will be announced on Jan. 10. You're one of 29 players on the ballot. How closely will you pay attention?
Murphy: I'm realistic about my chances. My [voting] numbers haven't been very close. It's a very challenging place to get into, and it should be. I'm not sitting on pins and needles.

SI: Do you think it will ever happen?
Murphy: Well, I think there's a chance. I know if it does happen it will be awhile. There's a chance. But I'm a little uncomfortable talking about it. I understand where the numbers are and if you have benchmark numbers, then it happens. If you don't, it takes awhile.

SI: Who was the best hitter you played with and against?
Murphy: Bob Horner. He was amazing. Bob did not swing at bad pitches; incredible hands, bat speed, and a short swing. The toughest pitcher? I did not like to face J.R. Richard. Physically, he was intimidating. He was like Randy Johnson. He threw very hard and had a slider that was just a few miles per hour slower. He wasn't really wild but it was kind of in the back of your mind. He was big and seemed to release the ball close to home plate. He had a great fastball and slider. Dwight Gooden was a guy that didn't have the physical intimidation but I did nothing against him. I put Gooden and Orel Hershiser on the list. Also, Greg Maddux, Bruce Sutter, Rob Dibble and Lee Smith.

SI: In the past I've read that people in Utah were trying to coax you into running for political office. Where does that stand now?
Murphy: At the moment there isn't a lot of interest. But there was a lot of interest in it awhile back and people were talking to me and I was talking to a lot of people. It's kind of one of those things you never say never but it's a tough job and a tough life. Right now, I don't have any interest in running. But I think it is a great service to our country for those who serve honorably.

SI: What about baseball management?
Murphy: [General manager] John Schuerholz and the Braves and I have had informal talks on and off and I think if something came up and I was very interested and wanted to pursue a second career in coaching or managing, I think something could happen. I think everybody misses being on the field.