| Jack Morris | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born:
May 16, 1955 St. Paul, Minnesota |
|
| Batted: Right | Threw: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| July 26, 1977 for the Detroit Tigers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 7, 1994 for the Cleveland Indians | |
| Career statistics | |
| Win-Loss record | 254-186 |
| Earned run average | 3.90 |
| Strikeouts | 2,478 |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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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 splitter, Morris was a five-time All-Star (1981, 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1991).
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Morris attended Brigham Young University[1] and was drafted by the Tigers in the fifth round of the 1976 draft.[2] 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,[1] 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.
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.
Following the 1991 season, Morris spurned the Minnesota Twins, his hometown team, and 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), though he rode the wave of superior run support from his offense, as his ERA was over 4. 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.
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.
Morris was the highest-paid pitcher in the American League on at least 4 occasions: 1987, 1988, 1991, and 1993.
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.
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.
Morris has been eligible for the National Baseball Hall of Fame since 2000. From 2000 to 2003, he never received greater than 30% of the vote. He received 40% of the vote for the first time in 2006. In 2010, he received 52.3% of the vote, his highest level of support so far[3].
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Steve Stone Scott Erickson & Bill Gullickson |
American
League Wins Champion 1981 (with Martinez, McCatty & Vukovich) 1992 (with Kevin Brown) |
Succeeded by LaMarr Hoyt Jack McDowell |
| Preceded by Floyd Bannister |
American
League Strikeout Champion 1983 |
Succeeded by Mark Langston |
| Preceded by Rick Dempsey Billy Hatcher |
Babe Ruth
Award 1984 1991 |
Succeeded by Bret Saberhagen Dave Winfield |
| Preceded by Jose Rijo |
World Series MVP 1991 |
Succeeded by Pat Borders |
| Preceded by Steve Stone Dave Stieb Bob Welch |
American League
All-Star Game Starting
Pitcher 1981 1985 1991 |
Succeeded by Dennis Eckersley Roger Clemens Kevin Brown |
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   | 1991 World Series | Game 7 - Baseball's Best | MLB.com: Programming |
| | Baseball Reference - Jack Morris Statistics and History - Baseball-Reference.com |
| | Jack Morris's North Star Expeditions - www.northstarexpeditions.com |
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