Jim Morris
Encyclopedia
James "Jimmy" Samuel Morris, JR (born January 19, 1964 in San Diego, CA) is a former American professional baseball
player known for his brief Major League Baseball
career.
He spent most of his childhood moving to different cities. According to his autobiography, he began playing baseball at the age of three. His father became a recruiter for the United States Navy
and his family settled in Texas
. He attended Angelo State University
but as his school did not yet have a baseball program, he played football
for the Lions from 1979-82 and won the state championship as a wingback, punter and kicker with Gordon Wood as a coach. Still, he never gave up on his dreams of becoming a professional baseball player.
Morris was originally selected 465th overall in the January 1982 amateur baseball draft by the New York Yankees
but did not sign. He would then later be selected fourth overall in the January 1983 amateur baseball draft by the Milwaukee Brewers
and signed with the organization. He suffered several arm injuries in the minor leagues, and was released during the 1987 season, never having progressed past the single-A minor leagues. He signed with the Chicago White Sox
organization for 1989, but was again unable to rise past the single-A leagues.
Unable to make anything of his career, Morris retired to become a high school physical science
teacher and baseball coach at Reagan County High School in Big Lake, Texas
, with his wife Lorri, his 9 year-old-son and his five and one-year-old daughters.
While coaching baseball for the Reagan County Owls in the spring of 1999, Morris made a promise to his team that he would try out for Major League Baseball if his team won the District Championship, something the team had never accomplished before. His team won the title, and Morris kept his end of the bargain by attending a Tampa Bay Devil Rays
tryout. The scout wasn't interested in Morris, but gave him a tryout solely to let Morris keep his promise to his players. Surprisingly, Morris discovered that in spite of his age, and having several surgeries on his arm, he was able to throw 12 consecutive 98-mph fastball
s. After much debate with his family, Morris signed a professional contract with the Devil Rays organization at the age of 35. He started out with the Minor League Double-A Orlando Rays, but after a few appearances he moved up to a spot with the Triple-A Durham Bulls
. Thanks to solid pitching performances with Durham, Tampa Bay gave him a chance to pitch with the big club when the rosters expanded, and on September 18, 1999, against Royce Clayton
of the Texas Rangers
, the 35-year old Morris made his debut, striking Clayton out on four pitches. His goal of pitching in the majors was finally realized, and he made four more appearances later that year.
Morris made 16 major league appearances in 2000, during which his arm problems recurred. His final appearance came on May 9, 2000, at Yankee Stadium. He entered a tie game in the bottom of the 10th inning with the bases loaded, and issued a game-ending bases-loaded walk to his first batter, Paul O'Neill, after which the Rays released him.
Morris was signed in December 2000 to a minor-league contract by the Los Angeles Dodgers
, but was released during spring training. At the end of his major league career he was 0-0 with an ERA
of 4.80 and 13 strikeout
s.
Morris has released an autobiography, The Oldest Rookie. He often appears as a motivational speaker, and currently receives $9000–$15000 for each appearance.
A feature film made by Disney called The Rookie
was released in 2002 about Morris's climb to the big leagues. He was portrayed in the film by veteran actor Dennis Quaid
.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
player known for his brief Major League Baseball
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...
career.
He spent most of his childhood moving to different cities. According to his autobiography, he began playing baseball at the age of three. His father became a recruiter for the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
and his family settled in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. He attended Angelo State University
Angelo State University
Angelo State University is a public, coeducational, doctoral level degree-granting university located in San Angelo, Texas, United States. It was founded in 1928 as San Angelo College. It gained University status and awarded its first baccalaureate degrees in 1967 and graduate degrees in 1969, the...
but as his school did not yet have a baseball program, he played football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
for the Lions from 1979-82 and won the state championship as a wingback, punter and kicker with Gordon Wood as a coach. Still, he never gave up on his dreams of becoming a professional baseball player.
Morris was originally selected 465th overall in the January 1982 amateur baseball draft by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
but did not sign. He would then later be selected fourth overall in the January 1983 amateur baseball draft by the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
and signed with the organization. He suffered several arm injuries in the minor leagues, and was released during the 1987 season, never having progressed past the single-A minor leagues. He signed with the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
organization for 1989, but was again unable to rise past the single-A leagues.
Unable to make anything of his career, Morris retired to become a high school physical science
Physical science
Physical science is an encompassing term for the branches of natural science and science that study non-living systems, in contrast to the life sciences...
teacher and baseball coach at Reagan County High School in Big Lake, Texas
Big Lake, Texas
Big Lake is a small rural city in Reagan County, Texas, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 2,885. It is the county seat of Reagan County....
, with his wife Lorri, his 9 year-old-son and his five and one-year-old daughters.
While coaching baseball for the Reagan County Owls in the spring of 1999, Morris made a promise to his team that he would try out for Major League Baseball if his team won the District Championship, something the team had never accomplished before. His team won the title, and Morris kept his end of the bargain by attending a Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
tryout. The scout wasn't interested in Morris, but gave him a tryout solely to let Morris keep his promise to his players. Surprisingly, Morris discovered that in spite of his age, and having several surgeries on his arm, he was able to throw 12 consecutive 98-mph fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
s. After much debate with his family, Morris signed a professional contract with the Devil Rays organization at the age of 35. He started out with the Minor League Double-A Orlando Rays, but after a few appearances he moved up to a spot with the Triple-A Durham Bulls
Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are...
. Thanks to solid pitching performances with Durham, Tampa Bay gave him a chance to pitch with the big club when the rosters expanded, and on September 18, 1999, against Royce Clayton
Royce Clayton
Royce Spencer Clayton is an American former Major League Baseball shortstop and occasional actor.-Baseball career:Clayton was born in Burbank, California. He was drafted out of St...
of the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
, the 35-year old Morris made his debut, striking Clayton out on four pitches. His goal of pitching in the majors was finally realized, and he made four more appearances later that year.
Morris made 16 major league appearances in 2000, during which his arm problems recurred. His final appearance came on May 9, 2000, at Yankee Stadium. He entered a tie game in the bottom of the 10th inning with the bases loaded, and issued a game-ending bases-loaded walk to his first batter, Paul O'Neill, after which the Rays released him.
Morris was signed in December 2000 to a minor-league contract by the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, but was released during spring training. At the end of his major league career he was 0-0 with an 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...
of 4.80 and 13 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.
Morris has released an autobiography, The Oldest Rookie. He often appears as a motivational speaker, and currently receives $9000–$15000 for each appearance.
A feature film made by Disney called The Rookie
The Rookie (2002 film)
The Rookie is a 2002 drama sports film directed by John Lee Hancock. It is based on the true story of Jim Morris, who had a brief, but famous Major League Baseball career in 1999. The film stars Dennis Quaid, Rachel Griffiths, Jay Hernandez, and Brian Cox....
was released in 2002 about Morris's climb to the big leagues. He was portrayed in the film by veteran actor Dennis Quaid
Dennis Quaid
Dennis William Quaid is an American actor known for his comedic and dramatic roles. First gaining widespread attention in the 1980s, his career rebounded in the 1990s after he overcame an addiction to drugs and an eating disorder...
.
External links
- http://www.Jimtherookiemorris.com Official Jim Morris site
- MLB historical statistics
- Retrosheet statistics
- Retrosheet boxscore of his major league debut