Thomas F. Murphy

Thomas Francis Murphy (April 20, 1882 – September 10, 1953) was an American athlete and attorney who played for and coached the Harvard Crimson baseball team.

Early life Murphy was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on April 20, 1882, to Jeremiah and Margaret Agnes (White) Murphy. He prepared for college at Cambridge Latin School, where he played second base for the school's baseball team.

Murphy graduated from Harvard College in 1904 and entered Harvard Law School that fall. In 1905, he was named "field coach" of the Harvard baseball team under the supervison of graduate advisor Dr. E. H. Nichols and captain C. Walter Randall. According to The New York Times, the unique arrangement came about because Randall was unable to find anyone to coach the team after the previous year's coach, Orville Frantz, declined to return for another season. Harvard went 19–5–1 in Murphy's only season as coach. He remained involved in college athletics as a baseball umpire and football referee. On May 28, 1919, Murphy was arrested for aiding and assisting Barney in his escape. On June 18, 1919, judge Thomas H. Connelly dismissed the charge against Murphy. Barney was convicted on the lesser charge of manslaughter. In 1920, Murphy again represented Barney after he escaped from Charlestown State Prison. Barney returned on his own volition, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to an additional 3–5 years. He was parolled in 1937.