Thomas Murphy, a retired commercial real estate professional, has had a distinguished career both in sports and in business. Born and raised in Euclid, Ohio, Thomas attended Euclid High School before moving on to Ohio University, where he graduated with a dual major in English and History. His journey from the baseball diamond to the boardroom is a testament to his versatility and dedication.
Thomas’s professional sports career spanned from 1968 to 1979, during which he played Major League Baseball (MLB) for teams including the Angels, Royals, Brewers, Cardinals, Red Sox, and Blue Jays. He is particularly remembered for his outstanding performance in 1970 when he won 16 games for the Angels and his remarkable 1974 season with the Brewers, where he won 10 games, saved 20, and maintained a stellar 1.90 ERA. These years in professional sports taught Thomas invaluable lessons in discipline, teamwork, and perseverance—qualities that would later define his business career.
Transitioning from sports to business, Thomas embarked on a successful career in commercial real estate in Orange County from 1980 to 2014. Specializing initially in high-rise office leasing and later in corporate relocations, he worked for Jones Lang LaSalle, where he applied the same principles of hard work and strategic thinking that served him well on the baseball field.
Thomas joined the Orange County Youth Sports Foundation (OCYSF) Board in 1998, driven by a desire to aid others. He has held several key positions, including President, Scholarship Chair, and Grants Chair. His personal mission aligns with OCYSF’s goal to provide funding for underserved Orange County youth, enabling them to participate in sports activities and related programs that enhance their opportunities to grow into mature and contributing adults.
In his personal life, Thomas is married to Kriss, and together they have three children, Erin, Conor, and Matt, as well as two grandchildren, Calvin and Anson. The family resides in Coto de Caza, where Thomas enjoys playing golf. Interestingly, Thomas has an identical twin brother, adding a unique twist to his life story.
