Joe Morgan Childhood

Joseph Leonard Morgan was born on September 19, 1943 in Bonham, TX. He was the son of Ollie and Leonard Morgan. The Morgan’s moved west to Oakland, CA when Joe was young. Although Joe played all the major sports as child, he didn’t get into organized athletics until he started playing for a little league baseball team as a teenager. However, the late start to team sports didn’t stunt his growth or development. Instead, Joe flourished when he got his chance.  

Joe Morgan High School Stats and Awards

Morgan attended Castlemont School. He was a multi-sport athlete as he played baseball, basketball and ran track. In the end, baseball won out as his sports’ path after high school. Even though he was short in stature (got the nickname ‘Little Joe’), his speed and talent gave him a shot even when he had to take a tougher, longer route to his sports destination.

Morgan didn’t secure a scholarship or a contract out of high school. Instead, he enrolled into a two-year college named Oakland City College. Joe became their second baseman. His talents were finally noticed as the Houston Colt 45s signed him to a contract in 1962.

Joe Morgan MLB Career Stats and Notes

Morgan made his major league debut on September 21, 1963. He played his first nine seasons in the majors with the Houston Colt .45s/Astros organization. After the 1971 season Morgan was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. His time in Cincinnati was filled with alot of winning as the Reds dominated the NL (more on this dynasty later). In 1980, Morgan returned to Houston and played one season with the Astros. Morgan headed west and played two seasons with the San Francisco Giants. After one season stints with the Philadelphia Phillies and Oakland Athletics, Morgan retired after the 1984 season. Morgan was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990.

Joe Morgan Wins Back to Back NL MVP Awards, World Series Titles

Morgan joined the Reds in 1972 and became a major part of one of the greatest dynasties in sports history.

The 1970s Reds, nicknamed the ‘Big Red Machine’ played like a tank as they rolled through the decade in the NL. Morgan, along with Hall of Famers Johnny Bench and Tony Perez, and MLBs all-time leading hitter Pete Rose, powered the Reds to six NL West division titles, four NL pennants and two World Series titles (1975, 1976). Along with World Series rings in back-to-back seasons, Morgan won the NL MVP in both of those years.

List of Baseball Hall of Fame Members