Former Reds legend, and Oakland A’s second baseman, Joe Morgan passed away. He was 77 years old.
Over the years, the Oakland A’s have been a final destination for quite a few of the greatest players in the game. That was the case with Joe Morgan in 1984, when the Cincinnati Reds legend spent his final season playing for his hometown team.
On Monday, it was announced that Morgan had passed away. The Hall of Famer was 77 years old.
We are beyond saddened by the passing of Joe Morgan. A trailblazer on and off the field, his impact on our sport and community will be felt for generations to come in Oakland. We send our condolences to his loved ones and the baseball family. pic.twitter.com/hQIazwMs09
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) October 12, 2020
Morgan spent just the one year in Oakland, and at 40 years old, was far past his prime. But he still produced a solid .244/.356/.351 batting line, hitting six homers and 21 doubles while stealing six bases. That batting line was still worth a 104 OPS+, just above league average.
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That was a far cry for the player that Morgan was. A star with the Astros and Reds, and later with the Giants and Phillies, he produced an excellent .271/.392/.427 batting line over his 22 years in the majors, with 449 doubles and 268 homers. Morgan stole 689 bases, the 11th most in major league history.
He was a rarity for his time, a true five tool player that happened to be a second baseman. Morgan had nine consecutive seasons where he stole 40 or more bases, and hit over 20 homers four times. He was a ten time All Star, won consecutive NL MVP awards in 1975 and 1976, and was a five time Gold Glove winner.
By the time he came to Oakland, his skills had faded. His power had been diminished, and his legs were not as quick as they once were. But he still had an excellent batting eye, drawing 66 walks while striking out just 39 times in 438 plate appearances that year.
While Morgan may not have been the player he once was during his time with the A’s, his impact was still felt. He was the hometown kid made good, someone that young ballplayers in the Bay Area could aspire to.
Former Oakland A’s second baseman Joe Morgan has passed away at 77 years old. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family.