#132 Joe Morgan

Recently in the news, having passed away October 2020....HOF career in three acts....First act;  Joe was as a very good Colt .45/Astro second baseman whose output was hampered by injuries, a poor hitter’s park, and questionable managerial relations....how good?  2^nd in ROY 1965, once led NL in walks and once led league in triples....was part of an all first year player starting lineup in late 1963....two time all star but toiled in relative obscurity in Texas....Second act starts in 1972 as Joe is dealt to Reds ...Instant offense!.....elevates himself into superstar status and significant in Cincinnati’s establishment as a perennial NL powerhouse for years to come....First season in Queen City leads NL in runs scored, walks, and OBP....no let up on the accelerator in subsequent years....labeled as the most complete player in baseball according to Sports Illustrated a honor sandwiched between back to back MVP awards in 1975 and 76....coinciding with back to back WS championships for the Queen City....personal area of expertise;  getting on base not only with hits but with walks (led NL 4 times) part of which resulting in top OBP 4 times in 5 years time.....Diminutive of stature defied skeptics with good power collecting 25+ homers several times and went yard 268 times in career....5X gold glove consecutive....named to All Star team eight straight occasions, 10X with the aforementioned time as an Astro.... Fast, second in NL stolen bases seven times...Act 3;  beginnings are debatable;  A slow down began starting in 1978 and 79 caused by injuries would result in a loss of BA and 25-30 contests....Or it starts in 1980 by signing with Astros for one year...no longer the superstar but a contributor bringing veteran influence to a playoff bound squad...moves on to San Francisco on a two year stint....a return to the bay area where he grew up....notably was able to secure silver slugger and comeback player of  the year awards in 1982...most dramatic was his home run on the last game of the 1982 regular season to knock rival Dodgers out of the pennant race....Logged in two more seasons, one with Phillies which reunited him with Pete Rose and Tony Perez plus giving him one last WS experience....hit .263 and twice went yard...Finished in hometown of Oakland in 1984 and accounted for himself with .244 BA at age 40....busy after retiring going into business, broadcast booth, MLB administration, and obtaining a long sought college degree....elected to HOF 1990 on first year eligibility.... only drawback of career was second lower tier post season hitting (.182 BA) although the high number of walks offset some of the futility....signature motion, an arm flap while batting to keep his elbow up.