Jack Morris
| Birthdate | 05/16/1955 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1977 |
| Year of Induction | 2018 |
| Teams | Blue Jays, Indians, Tigers, Twins |
| Position | Pitcher |
Jack Morris dominated the Majors in the 1980s — starting the most games, pitching the most innings, and recording the most wins.
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Jack Morris was one of the most dominant pitchers of the 1980s
Jack Morris was one of the most dominant pitchers of the 1980s
When Jack Morris penned his signature on this contract on March 14, 1978 he was a 22-year old with 7 big league games to his credit. The Tigers fifth-round pick out of BYU, Morris soon blossomed into a Detroit mainstay.
The right-hander started 1979 in Triple-A. After five starts he was promoted to the Tigers. Morris was in the big leagues to stay. That season he won 17 for Detroit.
In 1980, Morris made 36 starts, completing 11 of them and winning 16. That began a decade in which he was reliably excellent. Morris won 162 games in the 80s, the most in baseball. He averaged 33 starts, 16 wins, and 13 complete games in the ten year run. He topped all big league starters in starts, innings, and wins.
By the time he retired in 1994, Morris won 254. That was enough to earn the pitcher of the 80s induction into the Hall of Fame in 2018.
This contract, signed five times allows Morris’ stamped signature to appear on souvenir baseballs with the stamped autographs of the team. For his trouble, Morris was set to receive a whopping one cent per ball sold.
Jack Morris holds the record for consecutive Opening Day starts with 14
Jack Morris holds the record for consecutive Opening Day starts with 14
When Jack Morris got the nod as the Tigers Opening Day starter in 1980, he began a historic run. For each year of the decade and the first year of the next, Detroit gave Morris the ball to tip off the season.
He signed with the Twins in February, 1991 and was on the hill for their opener two months later. An 18-game winner and All Star that season, Morris helped the Twins reach the World Series. Once there he was spectacular, going 2-0 with a 1.17 ERA to earn the World Series MVP.
After the season, he signed with the Blue Jays. In 1992 he won a league leading 21 games and earned his third World Series ring. As Opening Day starter in both of his seasons north of the border, Morris ran his streak to a record 14 straight Opening Day nods.
In the collection is a 1978 Jack Morris Topps rookie card adorned with the pitcher’s signature.
Morris pitched a no-hitter in a nationally televised game in 1984
Morris pitched a no-hitter in a nationally televised game in 1984
NBC got a little lucky with its nationally televised Game of the Week on April 7, 1984. With Jack Morris on the hill, the network was treated to a no-hitter against the Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park.
After retiring the first 9 Chicago hitters in order to start the game, Morris ran into trouble. He got called for a balk for going to his mouth while on the mound. The call rattled Morris and he walked the bases loaded with no out. Ahead 2-0 in the fourth inning with the White Sox threatening to break the game open, a no-hitter was the last thing on his mind.
The turning point came when Greg Luzinski hit a comeback to Morris that the pitcher turned into a 1-2-3 double play. Morris struck out the next batter to end the inning.
Morris allowed walks in the 5th and 7th inning before retiring the side in order in the 8th. In the final frame, the heart of the White Sox orders stood between Morris and his no hitter. Hall of Famers Carlton Fisk and Harold Baines each grounded out to begin the inning.
After issuing a walk to Luzinski, Kittle came to bat. Morris got ahead of him 1-2. He threw his signature forkball on the fourth pitch. Kittle swung and missed as the ball tailed out of the strike zone. Morris had his gem.
It was just the Tigers fourth game of the magical season in which they started 9-0. Detroit raced out to a 35-5 mark and lead the division wire-to-wire before winning the World Series. The no-hitter was the first by a Tiger since Jim Bunning in 1958.
Shown here is a photo taken just after the game in which catcher Lance Parrish lifts a jubilant Morris off the ground in celebration of the masterpiece.
Lance Parish caught more of Morris games than any other catcher
Lance Parish caught more of Morris games than any other catcher
Lance Parrish and Jack Morris played together as battery mates in Detroit from 1977-1986. Seen here is a questionnaire filled out and signed entirely in Parrish’s hand.
Of Morris, Parrish had this to say, “Jack hated to lose. He was a fierce competitor and a great athlete. He also fielded the position very well. I believe he expected to win every time he took the mound. Should be in the Hall of Fame.”
Parish was prophetic in his declaration of Morris and Cooperstown. In 15 years of consideration by the writers, Morris topped out at 67.7% of the vote. On the Veterans Committee ballot for the first time in 2017, Morris was elected along with Tigers teammate Alan Trammell. He was inducted in 2018.
Parish’s responses are glowing endorsement from the man who caught more of Morris’ games than any other catcher.
Jack Morris' 254 wins were surpassed by Greg Maddux on 8/7/2001; here's the lineup card from the Braves dugout
Jack Morris' 254 wins were surpassed by Greg Maddux on 8/7/2001; here's the lineup card from the Braves dugout
Jack Morris’ Hall of Fame career resulted in 254 career wins, tied with White Sox hurler Red Faber, Cooperstown class of ’64. Among the few pitchers who have since surpassed that total since is Greg Maddux. Win #255 came for the Braves hurler on August 7, 2001.
In the collection is the lineup card that hung on the Atlanta dugout wall that night. The game was also remarkable because Maddux passed New York Giants legend Christy Mathewson‘s 88-year old National League mark for consecutive innings without a walk.
