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Utah ‘closer’ to getting MLB franchise

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SALT LAKE CITY – Former MLB star and Big League Utah fan Dale Murphy joined KSL Sports Zone to talk about baseball coming to Utah.

After the NHL moved to Utah this year, the prospect of MLB doing the same seems more realistic than ever.

Future Hall of Famer Dale Murphy Heads to Utah

Murphy is one of 13 former MLB players supporting the Big League Utah Coalition. But he’s probably the most notable.

After playing 15 of his 18 professional years with the Atlanta Braves, Murphy was a seven-time All-Star, five-time Golden Glove winner and two-time NL MVP.

Murphy has remained in the baseball world since retiring more than 30 years ago. He hopes to bring MLB to the Wasatch Front as part of the Utah Big League.

“I’ve loved my association with Big League Utah,” Murphy said. “They’re an incredibly experienced and professional team. We’re ready to get going.”

With the arrival of the NHL in town, Salt Lake became one of the premier sports markets in the United States.

MLB will likely be keeping a close eye on the Utah Hockey Club to see how the new team performs off the ice. Regardless, Murphy said things are moving in the right direction.

“(Salt Lake City) is a major league market,” Murphy said. “We can absolutely get into Major League Baseball. We’re closer, but we don’t know the timeline.”

Expansion is never as easy as potential cities make it out to be.

Nashville, Salt Lake and other cities have all put their names in the hat to start a baseball team. Eventually, MLB will have to decide whether to expand, and two cities will get a chance.

“As far as cities competing for MLB, the commissioner said he wants one on the east and one on the west,” Murphy said. “What makes Salt Lake City so attractive is the ownership. They’re community-oriented, they’re local and they’ve got a proven track record.”

Chandler Holt is co-host of the show The Jazz Notes Podcasta Locals In The NFL Insider and digital sports producer for KSLSports.comFollow Chandler on Twitter @CHoltSports or on the wires @chandlerho1t.

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