Hall of Famer Joe Morgan Dies at Age 77

Joe Morgan, who was a big part in the Cincinnati Reds’ Big Red Machine in the 1970s, is the latest Hall of Fame baseball player to pass away in 2020. Morgan died on October 11th at his home in Danville, California at age 77. The cause of death was not disclosed, but Morgan had several health issues in recent years. He joins Al Kaline, Lou Brock, Tom Seaver, Bob Gibson, and Whitey Ford as Baseball Hall of Fame players who died this year.

Born in Texas, Morgan moved with his family to Oakland, California when he was five years old. In November of 1962, Morgan signed with the Houston Colt 45s, as the Astros were called back then, and except for a few games when rosters expanded in September, played in the minors in 1963 and ’64. He made it to the big club to stay in 1965, the same year the Colt 45s became the Astros as they moved into their new home, the Houston Astrodome. Though Morgan was just 5’7″ tall, he had some power in his bat and a lot of speed in his legs. He hit 14 home runs as a rookie in 1965, and 13 in 1971; he also led the majors with 11 triples that year. He averaged 44 stolen bases per year from 1969-’71.

Then on November 29th, 1971, Morgan was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in a big eight player trade, and his career really took off. He joined Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, Tony Perez, and the other members of the great 1970s Reds teams. With a far better cast of players around him, Morgan led the majors with 122 runs scored, and led the National League with a .417 on base percentage. He hit 16 homers, drove in 73 runs, and stole 58 bases in 1972. The Reds won the National League Pennant in ’72, but lost to the Oakland Athletics in the World Series.

The Big Red Machine reached its peak in 1975 and 1976, winning the World Series both years, and Morgan reached his peak at the same time, winning National League Most Valuable Player awards both years. In ’75, he hit a career high .327, with 17 homers, drove in 94 runs, stole 67 bases (tied for his career high), and led the majors with a .466 on base percentage and .974 OPS. He outdid himself in 1976, with career highs in homers (27) and RBIs (111), while stealing 60 bases (he was only caught nine times). He hit .320, again led the majors in on base percentage (.444), and OPS 1.020. He also led the majors in slugging percentage at .576. Not bad for a 5’7″ 160 pounder.

In 1980, Morgan returned to the Astros as a free agent, playing one more season where he had started. He signed with the San Francisco Giants in 1981, playing two years there before being traded to Philadelphia. Morgan played on one final World Series winner in the Phillies’ four games to one victory over the Baltimore Orioles in the ’83 World Series. He returned to his home town of Oakland in 1984, playing there with the Athletics one year before retiring after that season.

In addition to his two MVP awards, Morgan was a five time Gold Glove second baseman and a 10 time All Star. He worked as a baseball broadcaster after retiring as a player, and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990, his first year of eligibility.