Last Updated: June 5th, 2024 by Michael Schatz
Without Joe Morgan, there would be no Big Red Machine. He was the straw that stirred that drink, constantly getting on base, stealing bags and playing pristine defense. He is arguably the greatest second baseman to ever play the game, yet he is sometimes overlooked for that distinction.
His career is peppered with jaw-dropping moments and record-breaking feats and is a testament to his prowess on the field. So join us as we take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, revisiting some of the most memorable moments of Morgan’s illustrious career.
MLB Debut with the Houston Colt .45s
Joe Morgan made his MLB debut with the Houston Colt .45s on September 21, 1963, in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies. He only appeared in 8 games that season and 10 the following, before finally getting his shot at regular playing time in 1965. And he wouldn’t squander it.
Morgan appeared in 157 games in 1965, hitting .271 with 14 home runs and 40 RBIs. He also stole 20 bases and led all of baseball with 97 walks, an impressive accomplishment for a rookie. Although Morgan would finish second in the NL ROY voting, he set the stage for the illustrious career that would follow.
Trade to the Cincinnati Reds
After spending his first 9 seasons in Houston, Joe Morgan was traded to the Cincinnati Reds after the 1971 season; the rest was history.
His first season with the Reds in 1972 saw Morgan hit .292 with an NL best .417 OBP. He also led all of baseball with 122 runs scored, while adding 16 home runs, 73 RBIs, 58 steals, and a Major League-best 115 walks.
Key Player in the Big Red Machine
The Reds of the 70’s were known as the Big Red Machine because they were simply loaded with stars. And the head of the snake was Joe Morgan. After a few October heartbreaks, Morgan and his teammates finally broke through with back-to-back World Series victories in 1975 and 1976.
Morgan would be an All-Star in all 8 of his seasons with the Reds on his way to becoming one of the best players in franchise history.
Consecutive National League MVPs
With the Reds dominating as a team, Joe Morgan dominated as a player. To go along with his back-to-back World Series wins in ’75 and ’76, Morgan added consecutive MVPs as well.
In 1975 he hit .327 with an MLB-best .466 OBP. He added 17 home runs, 94 RBIs and 67 stolen bases. Oh, and he once again led all of baseball with his 132 walks.
And then he did it again in 1976.
That year saw Morgan hit .320 with 27 home runs and 111 RBIs. He stole 60 bags, had 114 walks and led all of baseball with a .444 OBP. He would also add a Gold Glove in each season, capping off a 2-year run that will go down as two of the best we’ve ever seen.
Going Back-to-Back
The Reds clinched back-to-back World Series titles in ’75 and ’76, and Joe Morgan was a big reason why. In the ’75 Series against the Red Sox, Morgan hit .259 with a .363 OBP in the epic 7-game series. He added 5 walks, 2 stolen bases and 3 RBIs.
In the ’76 Series, a sweep of the Yankees, Morgan hit .333 with a .412 OBP, a home run, 2 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.
Eight Consecutive All-Star Appearances
Joe Morgan’s tenor with the Cincinnati Reds was impressive for many reasons. One of which was being named an All-Star every year from 1972 to 1979. During this period, Morgan proved himself to be one of the best in the game. In all, Joe Morgan would have 10 All-Star games under his belt after his career was finished.
Collecting Gold Gloves
Joe Morgan’s impressive baseball portfolio doesn’t end at MVP titles and All-Star appearances. He was also a tremendous defensive player, as evidenced by his five consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 1973 to 1977. As a second baseman, Morgan’s deft fieldwork, quick reflexes, and high-percentage play-making consistently made headlines during these years.
The Call to the Hall
Morgan’s stellar career culminated in his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990. On his first ballot, Morgan received 81.8% of the vote, which is indicative of his undeniable influence and skill on the field.
When his illustrious career was over, Joe Morgan had 2,517 hits, a .271 average, 268 home runs, 689 stolen bases, 2 MVPs, 10 All-Star appearances, 5 Gold Gloves, a Silver Slugger and 2 World Series rings.
Number Retired by the Cincinnati Reds and The Legacy Statue
Joe Morgan’s impressive stats and accomplishments didn’t go unnoticed by the Cincinnati Reds. In 1984, in honor of their all-star second baseman, the Reds retired Morgan’s jersey number 8.
Fast forward to 2013, the Reds again paid homage to Morgan, this time through art. A bronze statue, representing Morgan in his iconic batting stance -left arm cocked, ready to swing- was unveiled outside the Great American Ball Park.
These recognitions, retaining his number and erecting a statue, cement Morgan’s outstanding legacy not just as a Red, but as one of the best players baseball has ever seen.