Joe Morgan, Hall of Fame Second Baseman, Dies At 77

Hall of Fame second baseman Joe Morgan has died at the age of 77. Morgan had been battling various health issues over the past few years and passed away at his home in Danville, California, after battling polyneuropathy, a condition that damages a person's peripheral nerves.

Morgan spent 22 seasons in the big leagues, playing for five teams. He started his career in 1963 with the Houston Colt .45's. He spent nine inconsistent seasons with the team until he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in 1971 as part of an eight-player deal.

Morgan flourished on the Reds as part of the "Big Red Machine," helping the franchise win two World Series while winning the National League MVP award in 1975 and 1976. He spent eight seasons with the Reds and made the All-Star team every year. He ended up back in Houston in 1980 and played for the San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and Oakland Athletics before retiring in 1984 at the age of 41.

He was a .271 career hitter with 268 home runs, 1,133 RBIs, 1,650 runs scored, and 689 stolen bases.

After his playing career was over, Morgan became a broadcaster, working for ESPN and NBC.

Morgan is the sixth baseball Hall of Famer to die this year, joining Al Kaline, Tom Seaver, Lou Brock, Bob Gibson, and Whitey Ford.

Photo: Getty Images


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