EL PASO – September 4, 2026 – Outfielder Kai Murphy has returned to El Paso, this time as a Chihuahuas player.
Kai grew up around baseball throughout his childhood, which included a stint in El Paso, where his father, Pat Murphy, was the Chihuahuas’ manager in the inaugural 2014 season. Pat also managed El Paso for part of the 2015 campaign before becoming the San Diego Padres’ interim manager in June. He has managed the Milwaukee Brewers since 2024 and has won National League Manager of the Year awards in back-to-back seasons.
Now 26 years old, Kai gets to play in his old stomping grounds. He remembers being a young teenager around the age of 14, coming to Southwest University Park and experiencing El Paso for the first time. He said, “The excitement was real, and the fans were coming out every single night, and you don’t really get that in a lot of minor league towns.”
He remembers watching players such as Mike McCoy, Travis Buck, and Jason Lane, who was a pitcher and is now on Pat Murphy’s staff in Milwaukee.
Kai's childhood was built around being at the ballpark, whether that was in El Paso or during his college career at Oregon State and Arizona State. He holds onto vivid memories from El Paso, from bus trips to the hotels and locker rooms. Kai reminisced about sleeping in the coach's office in El Paso, the late nights, and quick turnarounds from night games to day games.
He said, “That’s what makes it fun growing up in this lifestyle, and then to live it now as a player, it’s surreal.”
Kai made his Triple-A debut on August 29 on the road in Oklahoma City and his home debut in El Paso on September 2. “Being in a new environment, you’re always excited and eager. Anytime I can contribute to help the team, it’s exciting for me,” he said.
The 2026 season continues Friday, September 4, as the El Paso Chihuahuas (19-41, 54-81) host the Las Vegas Aviators (33-27, 77-56) for game four of a six-game series.
Saturday is a pre-Halloween theme night that concludes with a Fireworks Spectacular. The series concludes on Sunday with a 12:05 p.m. first pitch.
Friday night’s first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Mountain Time at Southwest University Park in El Paso, TX. The game will air on 600 ESPN El Paso and www.epchihuahuas.com.