Joe Morgan, R.I.P.

Jim Owen · #1 10-12-2020, 10:16 AM

We seem to be losing a bunch of Hall of Famers. And now, the greatest 2nd baseman of his decade. Boston Redsox fans will recall him for killing us in a certain game 7. Houston fans will remember him as one of the original Colt 45s.

Dirk Hofman · #2 10-12-2020, 10:19 AM

I was born in Cincinnati so had an allegiance to the sports teams as a kid even though I lived in California. Loved watching Joe and the big red machine! Never will forget the elbow pump. Thanks for the memories Joe!

Kerbie · #3 10-12-2020, 10:23 AM

Oh, I hate to hear that. Great ballplayer and fun to watch. Who can forget the chicken wing? RIP, Joe.

blue · #4 10-12-2020, 10:37 AM

Man. I had the pleasure of watching him, basically every home game, when he was with the Giants. Longest homerun I ever saw in person. Upper deck at Candlestick.

Dru Edwards · #5 10-12-2020, 10:44 AM

Just read that. Sad news. Another great is gone. I can still hear his broadcasting voice.

RIP Joe.

Lkristians · #6 10-12-2020, 10:53 AM

RIP Joe. ESPN's first Sunday Night Baseball analyst.

Gitfiddlemann · #7 10-12-2020, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Owen

And now, the greatest 2nd baseman of his decade.Boston Redsox fans will recall him for killing us in a certain game 7.

No kidding. Every time he stepped up to the plate, it felt like he was cocking his bat to your temple. All those great players on the Reds, he was the most intimidating. And for good reason. As a fan of baseball, you have to admire that in a player, no matter who you root for.
RIP, HOF'mer Joe Morgan.

spock · #8 10-13-2020, 07:00 PM

Born in Cincinnati and followed the Reds for many years, particularly the Big Red Machine era. Once free agency hit and teams began changing from year to year I gradually lost interest in baseball altogether, but for a good long while I knew all of the players stats because they were basically my team and stayed my team year after year.

Joe Morgan was really the spark plug that made the team go and I always thought he would have made a superb manager as his baseball knowledge combined with his ability to communicate that knowledge was outstanding. Whether he didn't want to manage or simply never got the chance I don't know, but I certainly miss watching him and the rest of the Red's regulars play. I still believe game 6 of the 75 Reds/Red Sox series the best single world series game ever played, with the game 7 being almost anticlimactic in comparison.

Everton FC · #9 10-13-2020, 10:56 PM

Hard to believe Joe Morgan was 77. Makes me feel old! A great quote from his Hall of Fame induction, below. He was a class act - we need more athletes like him these days. There are so few - this from the CBC:

Morgan recognized his place on one of baseball's all-time greatest teams.

Bench probably had the most raw baseball ability of any of us," Morgan said before his Hall of Fame induction. "Pete obviously had the most determination to make himself the player he was. Perez was the unsung hero. I guess I was just a guy who could do a lot of things."

So true.

R.I.P. Joe Morgan. A great ball player. A decent man.

westview · #10 10-14-2020, 01:34 PM

Wow. Here we go again. So many greats passing, and now Joe Morgan.
Always dangerous. Reds vs Dodgers in the 70's. Saw a lot of that action.
Thanks for the memories, Joe.

FLRon · #11 10-14-2020, 02:14 PM

Those of us who followed the BRM knew Joe was one of the top 2nd basemen of all time. Not only do his stats support that claim, but he elevated everyone else's game on the team.
I'm glad to have lived to see players like Joe Morgan play. To me, theirs was the golden age of baseball.

reeve21 · #12 10-14-2020, 02:34 PM

He was a classy guy, broke my Red Sox' heart in '75 but I still loved him as a player.

I know he wasn't everyone's favorite as an analyst, but I think I learned more baseball listening to him than all the rest of the talking heads put together.

The tough part about being lucky enough to make it to a certain age is we lose a lot of our friends and heroes along the way.

Dirk Hofman · #13 10-14-2020, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reeve21

He was a classy guy, broke my Red Sox' heart in '75 but I still loved him as a player.

I know he wasn't everyone's favorite as an analyst, but I think I learned more baseball listening to him than all the rest of the talking heads put together.

The tough part about being lucky enough to make it to a certain age is we lose a lot of our friends and heroes along the way.

I don't follow baseball much anymore, but remember thinking he was a pretty good announcer...I'm curious, what was the general objection?

reeve21 · #14 10-14-2020, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirk Hofman

I don't follow baseball much anymore, but remember thinking he was a pretty good announcer...I'm curious, what was the general objection?

Talked too much....but isn't that the job description?

Dirk Hofman · #15 10-14-2020, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reeve21

Talked too much....but isn't that the job description?

I'll take it over Joe Buck, whose voice is a stronger sleep aid than Ambien.