Hall of Fame second baseman Joe Morgan turns 69 today.

10 Notes On Joe Morgan

1. Joe Morgan played from 1963 until 1984. He played with the Houston Astros from 1963-1971, Cincinnati Reds 1972-79, Houston again in 1980, San Francisco Giants 1981-82, Philadelphia Phillies 1983 and finished up his career in Oakland in 1984. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility 1990.

2. Joe Morgan was considered by many to be one of the smartest baseball players to play the game. He would have no doubt made a great manager had he chosen that route after his playing career ended.

3.Joe was a 10 time All-Star, 5 time Gold Glove Award winner, 2 time National League MVP-1975-76,  the 1972 All-Star Game MVP.

4. Joe Morgan’s nickname was “Little Joe” He stood 5’7″ but was a complete ballplayer- he could run, field, for a small man he had surprising power. His career stats- .271 career batting average,268 home runs, 1133 RBI’s, he stole 689 bases. Joe had an excellent career on base percentage at .392. He led the league in on-base percentage for 4 years.

5. Joe was the key to one of the biggest trades ever. It was the trade that “made” the Big Red Machine and the worst trade in Houston Astros history. Following the 1971 season the Reds traded power hitting first baseman Lee May, second baseman Tommy Helms, and utility man Jimmy Stewart to the Astros for Joe Morgan, Jack Billingham who would be the most reliable starting pitcher for the Reds for a number of years, Cesar Geronimo-who would be their starting centerfielder, utility man Denis Menke and outfielder Ed Armbrister.

6. Joe had a unique batting stance. Because he had a difficult time keeping his back elbow down, when he was a young player with the Astros his teammate Nellie Fox suggested he flap his arm like a chicken to keep his elbow up.

7. I have been watching baseball since 1967. If I were to take a player to start my team and could take any player I’ve seen ‘in their prime” Joe Morgan would be one of the handful of players I would consider. He is the greatest second baseman who has ever played the game. He was smart, he was a winner, he could beat you in so  many ways.

8. When Joe got on first base he was always a threat to steal- unlike others who just stole bases at times to pad their stats- Morgan stole bases to win games. He also had a knack of knowing when the other team was going to call for a pitch out.  He would be on first, there would be a pitch-out. Morgan wasn’t fooled. He would be standing flat footed near first base knowing a pitch out had been called.

9. The Big Red Machine of the 1970’s were the greatest hitting team I’ve ever seen. Joe Morgan in my opinion was the greatest of the Reds- which included Pete Rose, Johnny Bench and Tony Perez all Hall of Famers. One season hitters 1 though 8 all hit over.300.

10. Joe Morgan’s best years were with the Reds. After he retired, they retired his #8 uniform number.