Jack Morris

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John Scott "Jack" Morris (born May 16, 1955, in St. Paul, Minnesota) is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He played in 18 big league seasons between 1977 and 1994, mainly for the Detroit Tigers, and won 254 games throughout his career. Armed with a fastball, slider and devastating forkball, Morris was a five-time All-Star (1981, 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1991).

[edit] Playing career

[edit] Detroit Tigers

Morris attended Brigham Young University and was drafted by the Tigers in the fifth round of the 1976 draft. He broke into the Tigers' pitching rotation in 1979, posting a 17-7 record and a 3.29 ERA and establishing himself as the ace of the Detroit staff. Morris, along with catcher Lance Parrish, shortstop Alan Trammell, second baseman Lou Whitaker, and manager Sparky Anderson, played a notable role in turning the Tigers into a contending team for most of the 1980s.

On April 7, 1984 (on NBC's nationally televised Game of the Week), Morris no-hit the Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park, beginning what would be an excellent season for him. At the end of the 1984 campaign, he notched 19 wins and a 3.60 ERA, leading Detroit into the postseason. He scored a win over the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS, and added two more in the World Series against the San Diego Padres as the Tigers concluded their wire-to-wire 1984 campaign with the World Championship.

In 1986, Morris racked up 21 wins, but was overshadowed by eventual Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens of the Boston Red Sox. The Tigers headed to the postseason again in 1987, but this time Morris' performance was below expectations as Detroit lost the ALCS to the eventual World Champion Minnesota Twins. Despite a sub par season in 1989 when he won only 6 games, he still finished as the winningest pitcher of the 1980s, with 162 wins during the decade.

[edit] Minnesota Twins

In 1991, Morris signed a one-year contract with his hometown Minnesota Twins. He enjoyed another great season, posting 18 wins as Minnesota faced the Atlanta Braves in the World Series. Morris started for the Twins three times, with his final outing being Game 7. In a postseason performance for the ages, the 36-year-old hurler, known throughout his career as a clutch "big game" pitcher, lived up to his billing by throwing 10 innings of shutout baseball against the Braves as the Twins won the World title on a 10th inning single by Gene Larkin that scored Dan Gladden. Morris was named the World Series MVP for his fantastic performance. He holds the records for most postseason wins by a Twin, with 4 acquired in 1991.

[edit] Toronto Blue Jays

Following the 1991 season, Morris signed with the Toronto Blue Jays. He earned 21 wins for the second time in his career (and the first ever 20-win season for a Blue Jay pitcher) as the Blue Jays reached the 1992 World Series against the Braves. Despite a subpar World Series performance, he won a third championship ring as Toronto beat Atlanta in six games. He won a fourth in 1993, as the Blue Jays repeated as World Champions with a victory over the Philadelphia Phillies in six games. Morris did not pitch in the postseason, however.

On Tuesday, April 6, 1993, Morris set a major league record by making his 14th consecutive opening day start, an impressive achievement since he played on numerous title-contending teams. The opening day start is usually given to either the best pitcher in the rotation or the pitcher with the highest level of respect among the players and coaches.

[edit] Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds

He joined the Cleveland Indians in 1994, but left the team in August; after an abortive attempt at a final comeback with the Cincinnati Reds, Morris retired. In 1996, he made a brief return to professional baseball, this time playing with the St. Paul Saints of the independent Northern League.

[edit] Salary

Morris was the highest-paid pitcher in the American League on at least 4 occasions: 1987, 1988, 1991, and 1993.

[edit] Wildness

His split-finger pitch was responsible for Morris leading the league in wild pitches on six separate occasions. His 206 wild pitches in his career rank eighth in baseball history.

[edit] Awards and highlights

• 1981 - The Sporting News Pitcher of the Year
• 1984 - Babe Ruth Award
• 1991 - Babe Ruth Award
• 1991 - World Series Most Valuable Player
• All Star: 1981, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1991
• AL Wins Leader: 1981, 1992
• AL Strikeouts Leader: 1983
• AL Shutouts Leader: 1986
• Hold the major league record for consecutive opening day starts, with 14 (1980-1993)
• Ranks No. 8 on the all time MLB list for wild pitches with 238 [1]
• Ranks No. 1 in Detroit Tigers history for wild pitches (155) and balks (23). [2]
• Holds Tigers' all-time record for most times leading the team in wins - 11 (1979-88, 1990).

[edit] Post-career activities

Morris has spent time as a color analyst for the Minnesota Twins, and as an occasional guest on Detroit Tigers broadcasts. He also spent time in Lakeland, Florida as a part-time coach for the Detroit Tigers during spring training.

Morris is known for his love of hunting and fishing, especially in his native Minnesota.

Morris was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

[edit] Controversies

• Morris's fiery competitive nature routinely got him into trouble with the media. He sometimes even refused to talk to reporters, and once infamously gave a would-be female scribe an explanation by telling her,

• Morris was also known to wear a t-shirt in the locker room with an American flag and the phrase, "Let the hippies try and burn THIS one."

• Despite the fact that Morris won more games in the 1980's than any other pitcher, he has yet to be voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Thus far, his lack of induction has been a result of his high career ERA; Morris allowed an average of 3.90 earned runs per nine innings over his career, while finishing 8 of his 18 seasons with an ERA over 4.00. The Baseball Writers Association of America have argued that without the run support with which he was always provided, he would not have come close to winning as many games as he did in his career.

[edit] See also

• 1984 Detroit Tigers season
• List of MLB individual streaks
• List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
• List of Major League Baseball strikeout champions
• List of Major League Baseball wins champions
• List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
• Top 100 strikeout pitchers of all time

[edit] External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference
• Baseball Library
• The Baseball Page
• 1991 World Series | Game 7