Joe Morgan

Joseph Leonard Morgan (born September 19, 1943 in Bonham, Texas) is a former Major League Baseball second baseman, considered by many as one of the greatest second basemen to have played the game. Morgan was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990 with 81.76% of the ballot. Currently, he works as a color commentator for ESPN television and radio.

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September 19 - 1943 - Bonham, Texas - Major League Baseball - Second baseman - Baseball Hall of Fame - Color commentator - ESPN - Television - Radio

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Morgan, an African American, should not be confused with another baseball name, the Caucasian Joe Morganhttp://baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=morgajo01, who managed the Boston Red Sox to the 1988 and 1990 American League Eastern Division titles.

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African American - Caucasian - Joe Morgan - Boston Red Sox - American League

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Morgan was signed by the Houston Colt .45s as an amateur free agent in 1962. Early in his career, Morgan had trouble with his swing because he kept his back elbow down too low. Teammate Nellie Fox suggested to Joe that he should 'flap' his back arm like a chicken to keep his elbow up. He played with distinction with Houston until a multi-player trade brought him to the Cincinnati Reds in the 1972 season. After joining The Big Red Machine, Morgan's career reached a new level. This includes eight consecutive All-Star Game appearances (1972-1979) to go along with his 1966 and 1970 appearances with Houston.

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Houston Colt .45s - Nellie Fox - Chicken - Cincinnati Reds - The Big Red Machine - All-Star Game

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Morgan, along with teammates Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez and Dave Concepción, led the Reds to consecutive championships in the World Series. Morgan was also the National League MVP in 1975 and 1976.

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Pete Rose - Johnny Bench - Tony Perez - Dave Concepción - World Series - National League - MVP

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As a hitter, Morgan was extremely capable. While his lifetime average was only .271, he hit between .288 and .327 during his peak years with the Reds, and drew a great many walks throughout his career, resulting in a superb .392 on base percentage. He also hit 268 home runs and 545 doubles and triples, excellent power for a middle infielder of his era, and was considered the finest base stealer of his generation (689 steals at greater than 80% success rate). Besides his prowess behind the plate and on the bases, Morgan was an exceptional infielder winning the Gold Glove Award from 1972 to 1976. In his Historical Baseball Abstract, Bill James named Joe Morgan the best second basemen in baseball history.

Related Topics:
Gold Glove Award - Historical Baseball Abstract - Bill James

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