Ed Morris (1920s pitcher)
Encyclopedia
Walter Edward Morris [Big Ed] (December 7, 1899 - March 3, 1932) was a starting pitcher
in Major League
who played between the and seasons. Listed at 6' 2", 185 lb., he batted and threw right-handed.
A native of Foshee, Alabama
, Morris was a promising young pitcher before developing arm problems. He entered the majors in August 1922 with the Chicago Cubs
, appearing for them in 12 innings of relief and did not have a decision. While pitching in the minor leagues
for Montgomery, he threw a no-hitter
against Hershey, and finally returned to the major leagues in 1928, this time with the Boston Red Sox
.
In 1928 Morris posted a 19-15 record with a 3.53 ERA
and 104 strikeout
s in 257⅔ innings for the last-place Red Sox, being considered in the American League MVP
vote. In 1929 he went 14-14 with a 4.45 ERA, before injuring his arm during a scuffle in a St. Louis hotel elevator. After that, he went 4-9 in 1930 and 5-7 in 1931.
In a five-year career, Morris posted a 42-45 record with 256 strikeouts and a 4.19 ERA in 140 appearances, including 78 starts, 43 complete game
s, two shutout
s, six saves
, and 674.0 innings of work.
Prior to 1932 spring training
, some friends of Morris threw a going-away party for him in Century, Florida
. The party got out of hand, and Morris got into an altercation with a gas station attendant who was at the tavern where the party was held. In the middle of the discussion, the man pulled a knife and stabbed Morris in the chest. Morris was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, but later died at the age of 32.
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
in Major League
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played between the and seasons. Listed at 6' 2", 185 lb., he batted and threw right-handed.
A native of Foshee, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, Morris was a promising young pitcher before developing arm problems. He entered the majors in August 1922 with the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, appearing for them in 12 innings of relief and did not have a decision. While pitching in the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
for Montgomery, he threw a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
against Hershey, and finally returned to the major leagues in 1928, this time with the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
.
In 1928 Morris posted a 19-15 record with a 3.53 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
and 104 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s in 257⅔ innings for the last-place Red Sox, being considered in the American League MVP
MLB Most Valuable Player Award
The Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award is an annual Major League Baseball award, given to one outstanding player in the American League and one in the National League. Since 1931, it has been awarded by the Baseball Writers Association of America...
vote. In 1929 he went 14-14 with a 4.45 ERA, before injuring his arm during a scuffle in a St. Louis hotel elevator. After that, he went 4-9 in 1930 and 5-7 in 1931.
In a five-year career, Morris posted a 42-45 record with 256 strikeouts and a 4.19 ERA in 140 appearances, including 78 starts, 43 complete game
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
s, two shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
s, six saves
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
, and 674.0 innings of work.
Prior to 1932 spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
, some friends of Morris threw a going-away party for him in Century, Florida
Century, Florida
Century is a town in Escambia County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,714 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Pensacola–Ferry Pass–Brent Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Century is located at ....
. The party got out of hand, and Morris got into an altercation with a gas station attendant who was at the tavern where the party was held. In the middle of the discussion, the man pulled a knife and stabbed Morris in the chest. Morris was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, but later died at the age of 32.