One of the pleasures of Twitter and hosting a Web show has been to connect with personal heroes – and, in some cases, even have the pleasure of interviewing them.

I got that chance on today’s program, when Dale Murphy – two-time Most Valuable Player, seven-time All-Star, and my idol since I was about 7 years old – agreed to come on “Top Line” to talk baseball – and some politics.
Murphy, who was known for his clean living – he famously endorsed milk — during his playing days, has been active with the “I Won’t Cheat!” foundation, which promotes the notion that children should learn that they don’t need performance-enhancing drugs.

Asked if known steroids users should be allowed in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Murphy said no.

“It looks like the voters have made that decision in a lot of ways. It seems like if you’re connected to it, whether it’s proven or not, it looks like they’ve made a pretty strong statement,” Murphy said.

“It’s going to be a tough decision,” he added. “For me personally, if you have admitted it, and there is no doubt that you’ve used it, I think that’s pretty much an easy question. I don’t think that you should get into the Hall of Fame.”

As for politics, Murphy has a favorite in the 2012 presidential race, noting that he got to know Mitt Romney and his family when he lived in the Boston area in the late 1990s.

“That instantly gives Mitt a head start. I’m definitely in the Romney camp,” he said. “I don’t agree with everything that any of our political leaders say or believe – that’s going to happen sometimes. But I am confident — and lucky to know Mitt in a small way – that he’s leader. I’m looking for leadership – strong and sure. … I think he’s decisive. I think he’s strong. So I’m definitely in the Romney camp.”

Murphy, like Romney, is a Mormon, and has been active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He said it’s “exciting” that two Mormons are running for president – Romney and Jon Huntsman – while a third, Harry Reid, is serving as the Senate majority leader.

“One perception is that we all think the same,” Murphy said. “These guys are their own men.”

Murphy himself has been widely discussed as a possible candidate in his current home state of Utah.

“I guess I could announce it right now on the show?” he said. “I’ve been complimented enough and asked to run for various offices out here in Utah, but right now, I’m not interested. I don’t know that I have the stomach for it.”

As for the Hall of Fame, Murphy needs voting members of the Baseball Writers Association of America to come on board.

“We need to get a few more of the baseball writers going,” he said. “I’m in the teens somewhere [in balloting], and I need to get to 75 percent. Just like you write your congressman, everybody write your local baseball writer, I guess.”

Murphy also offered an autographed baseball – which we’re supplementing with a “Top Line” mug – to the first person who correctly answers the “Murftrivia” question at the end of today’s interview. Watch the interview and Tweet him back @DaleMurphy3 – hashtag #TopLine – if you know.

Murphy has a new Website up this week – with a great gallery of his baseball cards, among more serious content about his work on behalf of charities.

On a personal note, it’s not often that one has the chance to get to know his childhood hero. It’s even rarer that the hero does not disappoint. So thanks, Murph.