Joe Morgan (manager)

Joseph Michael Morgan (born November 19, 1930, Walpole, Massachusetts) is a former infielder, manager, coach and scout in American Major League Baseball.

Related Topics:
November 19 - 1930 - Walpole, Massachusetts - Infielder - Manager - Coach - Scout - American - Major League Baseball

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Morgan attended Boston College, where he played baseball and varsity hockey, and signed his first baseball contract with the hometown Boston Braves of the National League. However, by the time he returned from military service and a long stint in the minor leagues, the team had become the Milwaukee Braves. Morgan, a lefthanded-hitting middle infielder and third baseman, put up several strong seasons at the AA and AAA levels. But he could not crack the Braves' lineup, nor those of the Philadelphia Phillies, Kansas City Athletics, Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals. In parts of four major league seasons, he appeared in just 88 games and batted only .193.

Related Topics:
Boston College - Hockey - Boston Braves - National League - Minor leagues - Milwaukee Braves - Third baseman - Philadelphia Phillies - Kansas City Athletics - Cleveland Indians - St. Louis Cardinals - Batted

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In 1966, Morgan became a manager in the farm system of the Pittsburgh Pirates, rising quickly to the AAA level, and served as a Pittsburgh coach under Bill Virdon in 1972. In 1974, he joined the Boston Red Sox as skipper of their AAA Pawtucket club and led the "Pawsox" for nine years (1974-82). He then was moved into a scouting role (1983-84) and was finally invited to return to the majors as a Red Sox coach in 1985.

Related Topics:
Farm system - Pittsburgh Pirates - Bill Virdon - Boston Red Sox - Pawtucket

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In 1988, a strong Boston team was stumbling along at .500 under John McNamara. During the All-Star break, Boston ownership decided to fire McNamara and named Morgan acting manager while they began negotations with high profile candidates, such as Joe Torre and Lou Piniella, who were under contract to other organizations. The Red Sox promptly won their first 12 games under Morgan and the team named him their permanent field boss. The 1988 Red Sox won the American League East, but were swept by the Oakland Athletics in the ALCS; two years later, the 1990 Sox repeated history, winning their division but bowing in four straight to the A's in the playoffs.

Related Topics:
John McNamara - Joe Torre - Lou Piniella - 1988 - American League - Oakland Athletics - ALCS - 1990

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Despite the playoff setbacks, Morgan was a highly popular figure in Boston as a "native son," a former hockey player, and a blue-collar hero. He was called "Turnpike Joe" in tribute to the offseason job he held for many years to supplement his minor league pay: driving a snowplow on the Massachusetts Turnpike. His phrases such as "Roger spun another beauty" (describing one of many stellar outings by his star pitcher, Roger Clemens) or the often-repeated "Six, two and even" became part of New England folklore.

Related Topics:
Pitcher - Roger Clemens - New England

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In 1991, Morgan guided a flawed Boston team to a distant second-place finish in the AL East. Although he had one year remaining on his contract, he was fired at season's end in favor of Butch Hobson. "This team just isn't that good," Morgan warned in his parting comments. He was right: under Hobson, the 1992 Red Sox finished last in the AL East.

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Morgan's final major league managerial totals: 301-262 (.535) over 3 1/2 years, all with the Red Sox.

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