In a year defined by loss, the baseball community was hit with more heartbreak this morning. Baseball legend, Hall of Famer, and one of the greatest second baseman of all-time Joe Morgan has passed away at the age of 77, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale (via Twitter). The Cincinnati Reds released a statement of condolences, as many around the baseball community have already started to share stories and praise Morgan’s character and career.
Morgan played in the major leagues for 22 seasons for the Colt.45s/Astros, Reds, Giants, Phillies, and A’s, most recognizably as a member of the Big Red Machine from 1972 to 1979. Even on a team stacked with all-time greats like Johnny Bench and Pete Rose, Morgan stood out, not only for his iconic wing-flap batting stance, but for his MVP-turn on the field. His acquisition prior to the 1972 season turned Sparky Anderson’s Reds into the juggernaut that we remember them as today. Led by Morgan’s triple slash of .292/.417/.435 – a 9.3 rWAR season – the Reds won the pennant in his first season with the club, falling to the A’s in the seventh game of the World Series.
That was just the beginning for Morgan and the Reds, however. Morgan won MVP honors in back-to-back seasons in 1975 and 1976, leading the Reds to World Series victories in both seasons. He was a 10-time All-Star and 5-time Glove Glove Award winner. A refined eye at the plate contributed to a stellar .392 career OBP and 100.5 rWAR, 31st all-time. Morgan was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990 with 2,517 hits, 268 home runs, and 2,649 games played from 1963 to 1984. He is a member of both the Astros’ and Reds’ Hall of Fame. The Reds also retired Morgan’s #8 in 1987, not long after the end of his playing career.
The gregarious and always respectful Morgan took on a second life as a broadcaster after his playing career. Morgan was part of ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball broadcast team along with Jon Miller from 1990 until 2010, when he took on a role as special adviser for the Reds’ baseball operations department.
We at MLB Trade Rumors extend our condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Morgan. Morgan will forever be an remembered as a baseball legend.
Man, 2020 keeps getting worse each day.
It’s 1968 all over again. But unlike 1968, there wasn’t the Detroit Tigers or Apollo Eight lurking around the corner to make the year a little more palatable.
Pretty much spot on.
Oh my. I can picture that elbow twitching, connecting and Evans making that great catch in the 75 Series. Man did he get the most power out that small frame. Loved his on the field play. He was also underrated as a broadcaster. I had a problem listening to him because his voice to me resembled Huckleberry Hound’s. That said when I listened again on video, I realized how good he actually was. Rest In Peace the real “Super Joe”.
Get the tie shirt – “2020 sucks” I bought two. One white One black
Sad News. Condolences to the Morgan family.
Can’t believe he lost his head
funny…I like it
It is an odd photo to pick for an obit notice.
RIP Joe Morgan. 2020 sucks.
As a big Reds fan there was no better teammate and a great player. He is beloved by Reds Country.
Sparky Anderson now has his second baseman to pencil in to the lineup card in heaven
Never saw him play, but I always will remember him announcing with Jon Miller. Big part of my baseball childhood when I look back.
Agreed. The early 90’s was still a time when there wasn’t 100’s of channels showing thousands of sporting events a week, No internet or smart phones either. Entertainment options were much more limited, Sunday night baseball and Monday night football were not optional.
Nothing sounds more like baseball to me than Jon Miller and Joe Morgan. RIP.
Absolutely right. He and Miller were a treasure.
In my opinion, the greatest second baseman who ever lived, and without questions, the greatest post World War II second baseman.
It was a pleasure to watch him play.
Definitely agree on the “modern era” part…Rogers Hornsby, Nap LaJoie, and Eddie Collins were seriously dominant.
Since the modern era (integration)?? Joe Morgan is probably #1….and there are some killer 2b out there.
Sandberg, Carew, Alomar, Sweet Lou Whitaker, Jackie Robinson….
Sweet Lou was very good but not in the company of most of your otherwise deserving choices. I can’t compare Robinson but to me either Morgan or Carew. Morgan did so much more so although Carew was the best pure hitter I ever saw (over Boggs, Gwynn and Brett), I’d vote for Joe. Carew though was a magician with his bat.
We need 2021 to be the best year in a while because this sucks. Great people passing each day… R.I.P Joe Morgan
Words fail me in explaining the sadness I feel on this one….He will be sorely missed,
Right there with ya…
This is vurry vurry turrible news. Rest in peace, Mr. Morgan.
Wow
dude wtf? 2020 is like 2019 for the entertainment industry.
Wut
As a young Reds Fan, I’ve heard of all the great stories of Joe Morgan and his success with that team. He was a great player, a great teammate, and may be the greatest 2nd baseman of all team like this article says.
RIP Joe. Reds’ Country and all of baseball is gonna miss you.
My wife’s mask says it all: “2020. One star. Very bad, do not recommend.”
Strong argument as the greatest 2B’man ever. While 77 isn’t young, seems too young to be checking out. A legend.
One of my childhood Heros…and a damn fine man, all the way around
Rest easy Little Joe…
Joe was a true hall of famer in every way. What I came to really like was how he approached his job as an announcer. He would give his opinion but first try to understand what the manager might be thinking when he made his decision. He was clear about what he thought but emphasized that it didn’t mean that was the only way to do it. In other words he didn’t promote himself as no it all.
RIP Joe Morgan. Him and Jon Miller were the best ESPN ever had. Sunday Night Baseball went to crap afterwards.
Well, Jon Miller and HARRY Morgan would have been great too; such is Jon Miller (and the rest of that Giant crew to go with him)…
But Joe was great, on the field, in front of the mic. He’ll be missed. And it’s tough to find anyone who ever said anything bad about him.
Seconded.
Well, Jon Miller annoyed a lot of people.
One of the truly good guys of the game. I was no fan of the Big Red Machine, but Morgan was a great person and a great player.
Loved your talent as a player and rarely missed a Sunday night game. RIP the greatest second baseman of all!!!
I remember him so well as a Red of course, but also as a young second baseman with the Colt .45s/Astros (and as an older one in 1980). The Astros’ GM Spec Richardson sent a lot of talent to other teams for pennies on the dollar – Rusty Staub, Mike Cuellar, John Mayberry – but it was Joe Morgan’s leaving that doomed us to be a team that never made the playoffs until his return in 1980.
He was a terrific ball player and announcer and will be missed terribly by those who saw him and heard him and those who know him from what their parents and grandparents described to them.
Paul Richards and Tal Smith should have held the reigns for years. Hofheinz was the moron that hired Richardson and got rid of the other two.
If you’re over 65 and a member of Cooperstown, just check yourself into a hospital for the next 11 weeks for constant surveillance, and don’t leave until the calendar says 2021.
Joe and Jon were such a memorable broadcast team for me growing up and one of my favorite sports memorabilia pieces my parents ever got me was a framed picture of “The Big Red Machine” dated 1976 with the major four signing their signatures with their HOF year on them.. I don’t know if I’ll ever just go back that far to see old games from before my lifetime but I always was impressed by HOF stats to wonder how good a player was.
An absurd 1800 walks to 1000 strikeouts in 22 years with 689 stolen bases, 5 gold gloves, and back to back mvps.. RIP.
A lot of none LCS News for MLB Network to talk about to today.
He was a pro. Enough said.
I was born in 1990 so I obviously didn’t see him play. I grew up though listening to him and Jon Miller do Sunday Night Baseball. I tuned in every week and felt like I was watching something special listening to those two.
RIP Joe.
Jon Miller’s story telling was amazing and as I posted earlier, Joe’s color was underrated and under appreciated. I still though think if it weren’t for baseball, he could have been a cartoon voiceover. Listen to old videos he did color on and then listen to the original Huckleberry Hound.
Sad news he was a great player this body will rip but his soul will be up in heaven with Sparky Anderson his family loveones and God he will meet atoms of friends and he will be pain free
Always enjoyed Miller & Morgan on Sunday Night Baseball. Joe was so good at predicting the hit-and-run. A life well lived.
God has his starting rotation Gibson, Seaver and Ford. He’s working on the starting the infield next. Morgan is at second base. I wonder who’s next for God.
Don’t forget Lou Brock
Devastated. I’d be willing to bet even as if yesterday Joe could have given an MLB team an inning or two at the keystone position. He was that good!
I always enjoyed watching Morgan play. He was such an exciting player in the 70s. Praying for his family in this time of loss.
RIP, Sweet Pea. One of my favorites.
Loved the way he would cock his arm just before being pitched to…like he was a loaded gun ready to go off.
RIP “Little Joe”
I was 9 in 1983 when he spent a year with my Phils….the Wheeze Kids….Even to my childish eyes, Joe Morgan stood out as a guy who clearly looked the part of a ballplayer. Even at the age of 39.
Once I got my hands on his baseball card and looked at the back?? Whew….Much like Pete Rose or Rod Carew or Nolan Ryan….the back of his baseball card offered SO MUCH insight into the kind of player he was.
One of the best All-Time 2b…especially in the modern era, Joe Morgan will be missed.
Man this sucks. He was still calling Reds games as a guest as recently as 2019 and still sounded like he should be doing it on a daily basis. This year really sucks.
My favorite player growing up.
Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, and Will McGee here. Obviously because I followed the Cardinals. Gibson and Brock before my time but caught the tail end of McGee and he was clutch even in decline
Bench, Perez, Morgan, Concepcion, Rose, Foster, Geronimo, Griffey. Imprinted in my 57yo brain much like the names of my children.
Same as my 66 yo. Just an incredible period of MLB and the BRM.
Rough year for HOG players. Didn’t have the pleasure of following his career but he did have a great voice for MLB commentating and a good knowledge of the game. I guess since stepping away from broadcasting and joining the Reds organization I hadn’t heard of his recent health decline. But I’d bet he’d tell you he lead a blessed life
I knew back in June he wasn’t well. His former Sunday Night Baseball broadcast partner John Miller said he was having severe difficulties with diabetes.
Damn Seaver, Gibson, Ford, Brock, now Morgan. Did I miss anyone? Tough year. RIP boys of summer.
Kaline.
I used to emulate that little twitch with his right arm that he had when he hit. I doubt it helped my hitting any, I just thought it was cool. I read later that Joe picked up that habit in the minors to keep his elbow out.
RIP Joe.
Lou Brock. Whitey Ford, Bob Gibson. Al Kaline. Joe Morgan. Tom Seaver.
Six Hall of Famers in one calendar year has to be close to a record. To echo what others have said, he was the best second baseman I have ever seen.
Not only that, but 5 of them just in the past month. I feel like we are in a Final Destination movie where the 1972 All Star Game was supposed to have been hit by a meteor and Death is just now getting around to making it right.
RIP Joe Morgan.
Baseball has been really blessed to have so many living legends for so long. Sad to see them going so quickly now.
….It just means we are all getting old….
Very sad to hear of his passing. I followed his career since his rookie season 1963.
What a career…
10X All Star
2X World Series champion
2X NL MVP
5X Gold Glove
Silver Slugger
As many have said before, also was a Great Announcer.
RIP “Little Joe”
Loved him on SNB with Jon Miller. Great duo
While playing for the Giants in 1982 on the last of the season Morgan hit a home run against the Dodgers to knock them out of a chance for the playoffs !! No better way to end the season, by beating and knocking the Dodgers out of the playoffs on the same day !! Thanks Joe, it was a pleasure to watch you play.
RIP # 8
Say it ain’t so, Joe, say it ain’t so…
RIP, Mr. Morgan.
RIP, Mr. Morgan
From cincinnati.com/The Enquirer:
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2020/10/12/cincinnati-reds-hall-famer-joe-morgan-dies-77/5966790002/
Baseball reference lists these 2nd basemen as the most similar hitters to Joe Morgan
Lou Whitaker (849.5)
Roberto Alomar (830.0) *
Ryne Sandberg (803.8) *
Steve Finley (796.9)
Jimmy Rollins (795.3)
Johnny Damon (781.1)
Craig Biggio (779.7) *
Tim Raines (762.5) *
Bill Dahlen (760.0)
Julio Franco (744.2)
*asterisk signifies a HOF’er
Joe Morgan earned his place in Cooperstown. It’s time to honor Sweet Lou Whitaker.
I agree. I’m still surprised how Sweet Lou is part of the greatest double-play combo in MLB history, but has not been given the respect. He should have been in along with Trammell and Morris when they were voted in.
I think Whitaker deserves it, but Grich was better, and I am still waiting for to even get on the ballot.
I was a big fan of the Reds when they were so good on the field. The whole lineup scared the other teams pitcher. Joe was such a good kindhearted man. I am so sad to hear of his death. I remember seeing them a few times. It was great memories. Rest In Peace, Joe. I will keep your family in prayers.
Wow, seems like the Afterlife is building an All Star team in 2020. Another great player gone this year.
RIP Joe.
When I was a kid I used to call him “Devil Lips” Morgan because he had these big fat lips.
Rest In Peace Joe.
I don’t want to make this sound as if I’m talking trash, However, for 5 years in CIN, Lil’ Joe was great, outside, he wasn’t top tier. Pete Rose was the spark of the Big Red Machine, not Morgan. Sparky played favorites and Morgan was his favorite. Sparky always kept the fastest player in MLB at the time, Ken Griffey Sr from stealing so that Morgan could keep the spotlight. Runners had a green light when Morgan wasn’t batting in the next couple places. Still, I give Lil’ Joe Morgan the 7) greatest 2B after 1) Rogers Hornsby, 2) Charlie Gehringer, 3) Nap LaJoie, 4) Eddie Collins, 5) Frankie Frisch and 6) Ryne Sandberg.
Joe had 5 5+ WAR seasons outside of his 5 huge years with Cincy.
RIP Joe Morgan.
As an announcer Joe was a bit anti-analytics, but he was one of the great analytics players ever….813 OPS over his 22 years, and 100.5 accumulated WAR. Man, that team was stacked.
I’m deeply saddened by the loss of Joe, one of the finest people I ever met in the game of baseball. I first met him at a gala that was being held for him in San Francisco. It was not a secret that within hours he would be named Most Valuable Player in the National League. I was a reporter for a campus radio station and I asked him if I could interview him the next day when it was official. He said “Sure! Give me a call, here’s my #”, and wrote it down on a piece of paper and handed it to me. I said “A, well, Mr Morgan, I’m actually on at 5:30 am, so what time should I call you and we can tape it and I’ll play it later.” “Oh, heck. I’ll be up. Call me. We’ll do it live.” We probably had a listening audience of 12 people (maybe), but I will never forget his kindness and generosity. He really was a true Hall-Of-Famer in many ways.
Great story, thanks for sharing. That was Joe, he always made himself available to media and fans, a true gentleman!
As long as Joe was penciled in at 2B in the line-up you never had to worry. Brought it everyday as the consummate professional. One of the 8 cylinders on that powerful motor of the BRM.
Somewhere out there aaron,mays ,and Lasorda are praying in a corner morning, noon and night.
A lot of people would knock Jon Miller and Joe Morgan, but I always found them to be a good team and Mr. Morgan to be very interesting and very good at analyzing the games. I certainly missed them in the past 10 years. RIP Joe Morgan.