Joe Morgan

2nd Baseman

Class of 1990

Joe Morgan

2nd Baseman

Class of 1990
Comparable in size to early 20th century players, Joe Morgan instead was perfectly suited to the artificial surface game of the 1970s.

Games

Birth year

About Joe Morgan

“I have never seen anyone, and I mean anyone, play better than Joe has played this year.” – Cincinnati Reds manager Sparky Anderson in 1975

Comparable in size to early 20th century players at 5-foot-7, 160 pounds, Joe Morgan instead was perfectly suited to the artificial surface game of the 1970s, when he emerged as one of the key cogs in Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine.

In the Reds’ back-to-back World Series championship years in 1975-76, Morgan won back-to-back MVP awards in the National League, as well as two of his five consecutive Gold Glove Awards.

Morgan signed with the expansion Houston Colt .45s in 1962. He reached the majors for the first time in 1963 and became Houston’s regular second baseman in 1965. He spent nine seasons with Houston and made two All-Star Game appearances, but became a Hall of Famer after being traded in November 1971 to the Reds and leaving Houston’s cavernous Astrodome.

Morgan led the league in walks, on-base percentage and runs scored in his first season with Cincinnati and earned All-Star Game nods in each of his eight seasons with the Reds. In his peak years of 1975 and ’76, he twice led all of baseball in OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage.)

After leaving the Reds as a 36-year-old free agent following the 1979 season, Morgan remained a key player on winning teams, playing for Houston’s division winner in 1980, playing two productive seasons in San Francisco and then belting 16 homers for Philadelphia’s pennant-winners in 1983. He played his final season in Oakland – where he grew up – in 1984 before embarking on a long career as a broadcaster. He teamed with Jon Miller for 21 seasons on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball.

Morgan finished his career with 2,517 hits, 1,650 runs scored, 268 home runs, 689 stolen bases and 1,865 walks.

Morgan was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1990. He passed away on Oct. 11, 2020.

The Basics

Year inducted
1990
Birth Place
Bonham, Texas
Birth Year
1943
Died
2020, Danville California

Career at a Glance

Primary Team
Cincinnati Reds
Primary Position
2nd Baseman
Played For
Houston Astros, 1963-1971
Cincinnati Reds, 1972-1979
Houston Astros, 1980
San Francisco Giants, 1981-1982
Philadelphia Phillies, 1983
Oakland Athletics, 1984

Career MLB Stats

Games
2,649
At bats
9,277
Hits
2,517
Walks
1,865
Runs
1,650
Doubles
449
Triples
96
Home Runs
268
RBI
1,133
Stolen Bases
689
Batting Average
.271
Ops
.819
On Base %
.392
Slugging %
.427

JOE MORGAN'S GLOVE

Joe Morgan wore this MacGregor glove while patrolling second base in the late 1970s. The diminutive infielder won five consecutive Gold Glove Awards (1973-77) for his defensive prowess. This glove measures 10 inches from wrist to fingertip. Infielder gloves are typically smaller and lighter than gloves used at other positions, giving the player a faster response time when fielding the ball.

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Hand Lasted

The “Hand Lasted” stamp on the thumb indicates that the glove was shaped by hand over a form, rather than machine. In a world that has become increasingly mechanized, MacGregor believed it was important to note that their product was hand-made.

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JMS model glove

This JMS model glove was named after Joe Morgan. The “S” likely refers to the small size of the glove compared to other fielding gloves.

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Laced Heel

Glove models featuring laced heels first appeared around the turn of the 20th century. This design not only strengthened the glove, but also allowed for more padding to be included between the layers of leather.

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Pro Hide

Baseball gloves are traditionally made from cow leather, but modern-day glove manufacturers are experimenting with using synthetic materials to make gloves lighter.

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The athlete's choice

“The athlete’s choice” is MacGregor’s slogan. The Cincinnati-based sporting goods manufacturer was bought by Goldsmith & Sons during the Great Depression and produced baseball equipment and uniforms under the name “MacGregor Goldsmith.” By the 1950s, the company shortened its name to simply “MacGregor.”

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Solid webbing

This glove features solid webbing, a feature that allows infielders to transfer the ball to their throwing hand without getting their fingers tangled in a woven webbing.

Hand Lasted

The “Hand Lasted” stamp on the thumb indicates that the glove was shaped by hand over a form, rather than machine. In a world that has become increasingly mechanized, MacGregor believed it was important to note that their product was hand-made.

JMS model glove

This JMS model glove was named after Joe Morgan. The “S” likely refers to the small size of the glove compared to other fielding gloves.

Laced Heel

Glove models featuring laced heels first appeared around the turn of the 20th century. This design not only strengthened the glove, but also allowed for more padding to be included between the layers of leather.

Pro Hide

Baseball gloves are traditionally made from cow leather, but modern-day glove manufacturers are experimenting with using synthetic materials to make gloves lighter.

The athlete's choice

“The athlete’s choice” is MacGregor’s slogan. The Cincinnati-based sporting goods manufacturer was bought by Goldsmith & Sons during the Great Depression and produced baseball equipment and uniforms under the name “MacGregor Goldsmith.” By the 1950s, the company shortened its name to simply “MacGregor.”

Solid webbing

This glove features solid webbing, a feature that allows infielders to transfer the ball to their throwing hand without getting their fingers tangled in a woven webbing.

Joe Morgan Stories

Explore the archives and go deep into the lives, careers, and stories of the Hall of Fame's honorees.