Mike Morgan
Encyclopedia
Michael Thomas Morgan is a former right-handed pitcher
in Major League Baseball
. He competed for twelve different teams over 25 years, and is one of only 29 players in baseball history to date to have played Major League baseball over four decades (1978–2002). Morgan currently shares the major league record for most ML teams pitched for, alongside Ron Villone
and Octavio Dotel
; first baseman/outfielder/designated hitter Matt Stairs
took the field for his 13th team in 2011, establishing the record for position players.
Morgan was nicknamed "The Nomad" by his teammates due to his constant travel from team to team.
on 6 June 1978 in the 1st Round (fourth overall) of the Major League Draft
and on June 11 made his major league debut, throwing a complete game in a 3-0 loss to Scott McGregor and the Baltimore Orioles. After going losing his first three starts in Oakland, Morgan was sent down to AAA Vancouver
for the rest of the season, going 5-6 with a 5.58 earned run average
(ERA) in 92 innings pitched
. Although he had put up less than spectacular numbers, he had pitched over 100 innings between AAA and the majors as an 18-year-old and despite an alarming strikeout-to-walk ratio of 0.5:1 (31 strikeouts and 62 walks) was clearly on the fast track.
After starting the 1979 season with the AAA Ogden A's
, Morgan was called up again to the big club after posting a 5-5 record with a 3.48 ERA in 101 innings. However, he again appeared overmatched, finishing the season 2-10 for the A's. Morgan then spent the next two seasons in the minor leagues. After finishing 1980 with another unspectacular season, finishing with a 6-9 record back at Ogden, Oakland decided to cut bait and traded Morgan on November 3 to the New York Yankees
for 33 year old infielder, Fred Stanley. Thus was the start of Morgan's vagabond
career. The Yankees then demoted Morgan and assigned him to AA Nashville
where he posted an 8-7 record with a 4.42 ERA in 169 innings.
, Morgan pitched the entire season for the Yankees, seeing time in 30 games with 23 starts. On December 9, Morgan was traded again, this time to the Toronto Blue Jays
along with outfielder/first baseman Dave Collins
, and future all star first baseman Fred McGriff
for minor league third baseman Tom Dodd and reliever Dale Murray
. Morgan then split time between Toronto and AAA Syracuse in 1983 before spending the entire 1984 season
at Syracuse. In December 1984, Morgan was taken off the Blue Jays' 40-man roster and was subsequently chosen by the Seattle Mariners
in the Rule 5 draft
. After losing much of 1985 to arm trouble, Morgan then spent most of the next three seasons pitching for Seattle and compiling similar numbers to his career average, going 24-35 with a 4.53 over 429 innings with 216 strikeouts and 144 walks. In a hint of later career success, Morgan collected his first career save in 1986. Although showing himself to be a solidly average starting pitcher, he would continue to struggle with his control, annually sporting ugly strikeouts-to-walk ratios, and fail to show the promise that made him a first round selection. On December 9, Morgan was shipped to the Baltimore Orioles
for righty starter Ken Dixon and would spend the 1988 season splitting time between Baltimore and AAA Rochester
. That year he was recognized for hi humanitarian work by winning the Little League
's Junior Cy Young award.
After being traded to his sixth franchise in March, in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers
for center fielder Mike Devereaux
, Morgan would spend 1989–91 with the team. This time would include Morgan's first winning season as a pro in 1991, his lone All-Star
season, with a 14–10 record. However, Morgan was also known for an infamous footnote. On July 28 of that year, he was at the losing end of Montreal Expos
pitcher Dennis Martinez
's perfect game
, even though Morgan himself was perfect through the first five innings.
After leaving Baltimore as a free agent, Morgan would spend his first stint with the Chicago Cubs
from 1992–95. In 1992
, Morgan seemingly put it all together, finishing the season 16–8 with a 2.55 ERA over 240 innings - easily the best season of his career. However, he could not repeat his efforts and went 12-25 over the next two seasons after again experiencing arm trouble.
After seeming to bounce back in the beginning of 1995, starting the season 2-1 with a 2.19 ERA for the Cubs, he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals
along with minor leaguer catcher Francisco Morales and first baseman/third baseman Paul Torres for third baseman Todd Zeile
and cash, and went 5-6 in 17 starts the rest of the way. In 1996
, Morgan would return to form, posting a 4-8 record with a 5.24 ERA, and would be released by the Cardinals on August 28. He would not be unemployed long as he signed with the Cincinnati Reds
on September 4 and spent the remainder of the 1996 and all of 1997
with the Reds.
. After putting up good numbers with the Twins through August (4-2 with a 3.49 ERA and only 24 walks in 98 innings), Morgan was traded on August 25 back to the Cubs for pitcher Scott Downs
and cash. While with the Cubs, he was on the mound when Mark McGwire
hit his record-tying 61st home run. He also went to the postseason for the first time, relieving in two games without giving up a run, but the Cubs lost to the Atlanta Braves
in the National League Division Series
. On 29 January, 1999
, Morgan joined his 11th team, signing with the Texas Rangers
as a free agent. Although he pitched to a 13-10 record, he had an ERA of 6.24 and was demoted to the bullpen late in the season. It appeared that his career was officially over.
Prior to spring training in 2000
, the 40-year-old journeyman signed with his 12th team, the Arizona Diamondbacks
, who successfully converted Morgan to a full-time reliever
and emergency starter. Morgan excelled in this role and appeared in 60 games and over 100 innings compiled an ERA that was only slightly above career average. After pitching in 31 games in 2001
, including his last start, Morgan was again in the post-season with the D-backs
and would appear in all three rounds including throwin 4 2/3 innings of scoreless relief as Arizona defeated the New York Yankees
in seven games to win the 2001 World Series
. He was back for another go-round in 2002 and pitched 28 games over the first three months before being sidelined by an injury. He came back to make the final appearance of his career on September 2, pitching 1 1/3 innings and giving up an unearned run in a 19-1 loss to the Dodgers,. Morgan would finish the season 1-1 with a 5.29 ERA, and was not included on the D-Backs' post-season roster. Following the season,
Morgan would retire from baseball after 21 seasons.
Morgan was the last active player to have competed during the 1978 season and one of the last four (the others being Jesse Orosco
, Rickey Henderson
and Tim Raines
) to have debuted in the 1970s who continued to play past the 2000 season. In the 597 games Morgan pitched, 411 were starts. His career record was 141-186 with a 4.23 ERA, 1403 strikeouts and eight saves in 2772 1/3 innings.
Morgan was tied with National Hockey League
player Mike Sillinger
and MLB pitcher Matt Skrmetta
for the most teams played for in any North American professional sport through June 2006, when Skrmetta signed with the Chicago White Sox
, his 24th professional team and 13th organization.
and owns "World Championship Outfitters", company which takes people on private hunts with Morgan as the guide. He also instructs youth baseball players one-on-one through the company "Ultimate Sports".
In 2009, he became a volunteer coach on the Pleasant Grove High School
baseball team in Pleasant Grove, UT and continued with Pleasant Grove through the 2010 season. In 2010, he created the "Robinson's Transport Wounded Warrior Hunt", a hunt for military members who have received a Purple Heart.
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. He competed for twelve different teams over 25 years, and is one of only 29 players in baseball history to date to have played Major League baseball over four decades (1978–2002). Morgan currently shares the major league record for most ML teams pitched for, alongside Ron Villone
Ron Villone
Ronald Thomas Villone Jr. is a Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher who is currently with the Somerset Patriots. He has not been on the same team for more than two years in his major league career and due to his many baseball travels, some of his teammates have affectionately referred...
and Octavio Dotel
Octavio Dotel
Octavio Eduardo Dotel is a Domincan professional baseball pitcher who is currently a Free Agent....
; first baseman/outfielder/designated hitter Matt Stairs
Matt Stairs
Matthew Wade Stairs is a former Canadian professional Major League baseball outfielder, first baseman, designated hitter, and pinch hitter. He played for 12 different teams, a major league record he shares with Octavio Dotel, Mike Morgan and Ron Villone...
took the field for his 13th team in 2011, establishing the record for position players.
Morgan was nicknamed "The Nomad" by his teammates due to his constant travel from team to team.
Major League debut
After attending Valley High School in Las Vegas, NV and pitching for the baseball team, Morgan was selected by the Oakland AthleticsOakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
on 6 June 1978 in the 1st Round (fourth overall) of the Major League Draft
1978 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1978 Major League Baseball draft.- Background :In 1978, four players made the jump from amateur baseball to the major leagues, including Arizona State third baseman Bob Horner, who was selected number one overall by the Atlanta...
and on June 11 made his major league debut, throwing a complete game in a 3-0 loss to Scott McGregor and the Baltimore Orioles. After going losing his first three starts in Oakland, Morgan was sent down to AAA Vancouver
Vancouver Canadians
The Vancouver Canadians are a minor league baseball team located in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Canadians are the Northwest League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. The C's have previously affiliated with the Oakland Athletics between 2000-2010. They are the only Canadian team in the...
for the rest of the season, going 5-6 with a 5.58 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
(ERA) in 92 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
. Although he had put up less than spectacular numbers, he had pitched over 100 innings between AAA and the majors as an 18-year-old and despite an alarming strikeout-to-walk ratio of 0.5:1 (31 strikeouts and 62 walks) was clearly on the fast track.
After starting the 1979 season with the AAA Ogden A's
Ogden A's
The Ogden A's were a former minor league baseball team located in Ogden, Utah. They played as the Triple-A farm club of the Oakland Athletics. The team only played for two seasons, and...
, Morgan was called up again to the big club after posting a 5-5 record with a 3.48 ERA in 101 innings. However, he again appeared overmatched, finishing the season 2-10 for the A's. Morgan then spent the next two seasons in the minor leagues. After finishing 1980 with another unspectacular season, finishing with a 6-9 record back at Ogden, Oakland decided to cut bait and traded Morgan on November 3 to the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
for 33 year old infielder, Fred Stanley. Thus was the start of Morgan's vagabond
Vagabond
Vagabond may refer to:*Vagabond , an itinerant personIn music:*Vagabond , an alternative rock band fronted by Jørn Lande*Vagabond , a band from the UK*Vagabond , a song by Australian band Wolfmother...
career. The Yankees then demoted Morgan and assigned him to AA Nashville
Nashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds are a minor league baseball team of the Pacific Coast League , and the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the city's association with the music industry...
where he posted an 8-7 record with a 4.42 ERA in 169 innings.
"The Nomad"
In 19821982 Major League Baseball season
The 1982 Major League Baseball season was held between the American and National Leagues. Making up for their playoff miss of the year before, the St...
, Morgan pitched the entire season for the Yankees, seeing time in 30 games with 23 starts. On December 9, Morgan was traded again, this time to the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
along with outfielder/first baseman Dave Collins
Dave Collins
David S. Collins is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball from to .Collins is one of three players to have made it to the major leagues who played for the storied Rapid City Post 22 American Legion baseball program in Rapid City, SD...
, and future all star first baseman Fred McGriff
Fred McGriff
Frederick Stanley McGriff is a left-handed former Major League Baseball player who starred for several teams from the mid-1980s until the early 2000s. A power-hitting first baseman with a tall, lanky build, the five-time All-Star became, in , the first player since the dead-ball era to lead both...
for minor league third baseman Tom Dodd and reliever Dale Murray
Dale Murray
Dale Albert Murray is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was drafted by the Montreal Expos out of Blinn College in Brenham, Texas in the eighteenth round of the 1970 Major League Baseball Draft, and developed into one of the top relief pitchers in the National League in the mid...
. Morgan then split time between Toronto and AAA Syracuse in 1983 before spending the entire 1984 season
1984 Major League Baseball season
-Statistical leaders:-Major league baseball final standings:-Deaths:...
at Syracuse. In December 1984, Morgan was taken off the Blue Jays' 40-man roster and was subsequently chosen by the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
in the Rule 5 draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
. After losing much of 1985 to arm trouble, Morgan then spent most of the next three seasons pitching for Seattle and compiling similar numbers to his career average, going 24-35 with a 4.53 over 429 innings with 216 strikeouts and 144 walks. In a hint of later career success, Morgan collected his first career save in 1986. Although showing himself to be a solidly average starting pitcher, he would continue to struggle with his control, annually sporting ugly strikeouts-to-walk ratios, and fail to show the promise that made him a first round selection. On December 9, Morgan was shipped to the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
for righty starter Ken Dixon and would spend the 1988 season splitting time between Baltimore and AAA Rochester
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
. That year he was recognized for hi humanitarian work by winning the Little League
Little League
Little League Baseball and Softball is a non-profit organization in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, United States which organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues throughout the U.S...
's Junior Cy Young award.
After being traded to his sixth franchise in March, in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
for center fielder Mike Devereaux
Mike Devereaux
Michael Devereaux is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth round of the amateur draft and made his debut on September 2, 1987...
, Morgan would spend 1989–91 with the team. This time would include Morgan's first winning season as a pro in 1991, his lone All-Star
1991 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1991 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 62nd playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 9, 1991 at SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario, the home of the Toronto...
season, with a 14–10 record. However, Morgan was also known for an infamous footnote. On July 28 of that year, he was at the losing end of Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
pitcher Dennis Martinez
Dennis Martínez
José Dennis Martínez Emilia , nicknamed "El Presidente" , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher...
's perfect game
Perfect game
A perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
, even though Morgan himself was perfect through the first five innings.
After leaving Baltimore as a free agent, Morgan would spend his first stint with the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
from 1992–95. In 1992
1992 Major League Baseball season
The 1992 MLB season saw a resergence in pitching dominance. On average, 1 out of every 7 games pitched that season was a shutout; in 2,106 MLB regular-season games, 298 shutouts were pitched . Two teams pitched at least 20 shutouts each; the Atlanta Braves led the Majors with 24 and the Pittsburgh...
, Morgan seemingly put it all together, finishing the season 16–8 with a 2.55 ERA over 240 innings - easily the best season of his career. However, he could not repeat his efforts and went 12-25 over the next two seasons after again experiencing arm trouble.
After seeming to bounce back in the beginning of 1995, starting the season 2-1 with a 2.19 ERA for the Cubs, he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
along with minor leaguer catcher Francisco Morales and first baseman/third baseman Paul Torres for third baseman Todd Zeile
Todd Zeile
Todd Edward Zeile is a former catcher, third baseman, and first baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1989 to . After graduating from UCLA, where he played as a catcher, Zeile played for 11 Major League teams during his career: the St...
and cash, and went 5-6 in 17 starts the rest of the way. In 1996
1996 Major League Baseball season
*American League Championship Series MVP: Bernie Williams**American League Division Series*National League Championship Series MVP: Javy López**National League Division Series*All-Star Game, July 9 at Veterans Stadium: National League, 6-0; Mike Piazza, MVP...
, Morgan would return to form, posting a 4-8 record with a 5.24 ERA, and would be released by the Cardinals on August 28. He would not be unemployed long as he signed with the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
on September 4 and spent the remainder of the 1996 and all of 1997
1997 Major League Baseball season
*American League Championship Series MVP: Marquis Grissom**American League Division Series*National League Championship Series MVP: Liván Hernández**National League Division Series...
with the Reds.
Post-season play
After leaving the Reds as a free Agent, Morgan signed in December 1997 with the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. After putting up good numbers with the Twins through August (4-2 with a 3.49 ERA and only 24 walks in 98 innings), Morgan was traded on August 25 back to the Cubs for pitcher Scott Downs
Scott Downs
Scott Jeremy Downs is an American professional baseball relief pitcher with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Major League Baseball. He has previously played for the Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos and Toronto Blue Jays...
and cash. While with the Cubs, he was on the mound when Mark McGwire
Mark McGwire
Mark David McGwire , nicknamed "Big Mac", is an American former professional baseball player who played his major league career with the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals. He is currently the hitting coach for the St...
hit his record-tying 61st home run. He also went to the postseason for the first time, relieving in two games without giving up a run, but the Cubs lost to the Atlanta Braves
1998 Atlanta Braves season
-Offseason:*November 17, 1997: Walt Weiss was signed as a Free Agent with the Atlanta Braves.*January 30, 1998: Dennis Martinez was signed as a Free Agent with the Atlanta Braves.*February 6, 1998: Curtis Pride was signed as a Free Agent with the Atlanta Braves....
in the National League Division Series
1998 National League Division Series
-Houston Astros vs. San Diego Padres:-Game 1, September 30:Turner Field in Atlanta, GeorgiaThe Braves faced the Chicago Cubs, who made it into the playoffs by beating the San Francisco Giants in a tiebreaker for the Wild Card spot. The Braves had sixteen more regular season wins and it showed in...
. On 29 January, 1999
1999 Major League Baseball season
The previous record of most home runs hit in a season, set at 5,064 in 1998, was broken once again as the American League and National League combined to hit 5,528 home runs. Moreover, it was the first season in 61 years to feature a team that scored 1,000 runs in a season, as the Cleveland Indians...
, Morgan joined his 11th team, signing with the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
as a free agent. Although he pitched to a 13-10 record, he had an ERA of 6.24 and was demoted to the bullpen late in the season. It appeared that his career was officially over.
Prior to spring training in 2000
2000 Major League Baseball season
The 2000 Major League Baseball season ended with the New York Yankees defeating the New York Mets in Game 5 of the World Series, known as the Subway Series because fans could take the Subway to and from every game of the Series. An all-time record 5,693 home runs were hit during the regular season...
, the 40-year-old journeyman signed with his 12th team, the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
, who successfully converted Morgan to a full-time reliever
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
and emergency starter. Morgan excelled in this role and appeared in 60 games and over 100 innings compiled an ERA that was only slightly above career average. After pitching in 31 games in 2001
2001 Major League Baseball season
The Major League Baseball season finished with the Arizona Diamondbacks defeating the New York Yankees in a Game 7 of the 2001 World Series. The attacks of September 11 pushed the end of the regular-season from September 30 to October 7. Because of that, the World Series was not completed until...
, including his last start, Morgan was again in the post-season with the D-backs
2001 Arizona Diamondbacks season
The 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks, in their fourth year of existence, looked to improve on their 2000 season. They had to contend in what was a strong National League West Division....
and would appear in all three rounds including throwin 4 2/3 innings of scoreless relief as Arizona defeated the New York Yankees
2001 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees' 2001 season was the 99th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 95-65 finishing 13.5 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox. New York was managed by Joe Torre. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium. Roger Clemens had sixteen straight wins, tying an American...
in seven games to win the 2001 World Series
2001 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 27, 2001 at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix, ArizonaArizona showed no fear and chased Yankees starter Mike Mussina after just three innings. The Yankees gave up five unearned runs and the Diamondbacks rode Curt Schilling's seven strong innings to a 9–1 rout...
. He was back for another go-round in 2002 and pitched 28 games over the first three months before being sidelined by an injury. He came back to make the final appearance of his career on September 2, pitching 1 1/3 innings and giving up an unearned run in a 19-1 loss to the Dodgers,. Morgan would finish the season 1-1 with a 5.29 ERA, and was not included on the D-Backs' post-season roster. Following the season,
Morgan would retire from baseball after 21 seasons.
Morgan was the last active player to have competed during the 1978 season and one of the last four (the others being Jesse Orosco
Jesse Orosco
Jesse Russell Orosco is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who holds the major league record for career pitching appearances. He pitched most notably for the New York Mets in the 1980s. He won a World Series in 1986 with the Mets and in 1988 with the Dodgers. He threw left-handed,...
, Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henley Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed The Man of Steal, he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner...
and Tim Raines
Tim Raines
Timothy Raines , nicknamed "Rock", is a former American professional baseball player. He played as a left fielder in Major League Baseball for six teams from 1979 to 2002 and was best known for his 13 seasons with the Montreal Expos...
) to have debuted in the 1970s who continued to play past the 2000 season. In the 597 games Morgan pitched, 411 were starts. His career record was 141-186 with a 4.23 ERA, 1403 strikeouts and eight saves in 2772 1/3 innings.
Morgan was tied with National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
player Mike Sillinger
Mike Sillinger
Mike Sillinger is the current Director of Player Development for the Edmonton Oilers, and a retired Canadian ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for 17 seasons...
and MLB pitcher Matt Skrmetta
Matt Skrmetta
Matthew Leland Skrmetta is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played during one season at the major league level for the Montreal Expos and Pittsburgh Pirates in 2000. He also played two seasons in Japan, 2003 for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks and 2005 for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles...
for the most teams played for in any North American professional sport through June 2006, when Skrmetta signed with the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, his 24th professional team and 13th organization.
Personal life
Morgan currently resides in Ogden, UtahOgden, Utah
Ogden is a city in Weber County, Utah, United States. Ogden serves as the county seat of Weber County. The population was 82,825 according to the 2010 Census. The city served as a major railway hub through much of its history, and still handles a great deal of freight rail traffic which makes it a...
and owns "World Championship Outfitters", company which takes people on private hunts with Morgan as the guide. He also instructs youth baseball players one-on-one through the company "Ultimate Sports".
In 2009, he became a volunteer coach on the Pleasant Grove High School
Pleasant Grove High School (Utah)
Pleasant Grove High School is a public high school located in Pleasant Grove, Utah.- History :Pleasant Grove High School was established in 1912. It started in a small one-room building. Additional rooms were eventually added on due to the increasing number of students. The former location was...
baseball team in Pleasant Grove, UT and continued with Pleasant Grove through the 2010 season. In 2010, he created the "Robinson's Transport Wounded Warrior Hunt", a hunt for military members who have received a Purple Heart.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins
- List of baseball players who went directly to the major leagues