Cincinnati Reds Legend Joe Morgan Dies at 77

Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer Joe Morgan has passed away at the age of 77.

Morgan was a 10 time all star who led the Reds’ legendary ‘Big Red Machine’ which won championships throughout the 1970’s.

As The New York Post reports:

The five-time Gold Glove-winning second baseman, who was elected to Cooperstown on the first ballot in 1990, is the sixth Hall of Famer to die in 2020, joining Al Kaline, Tom Seaver, Lou Brock, Bob Gibson and Whitey Ford.

“Joe wasn’t just the best second baseman in baseball history, he was the best player I ever saw and one of the best people I’ve ever known,” Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench said in a statement to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Morgan began a 22-year MLB career with Houston in 1963 and played nine seasons for the Colt .45s and Astros before being traded to the Reds in an eight-player deal in 1971.

The Reds are heartbroken to learn of the passing of baseball legend Joe Morgan. pic.twitter.com/zBoQ2gHZys

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) October 12, 2020

The Little General won back-to-back MVP awards, the only second baseman to do so, in 1975-76, winning the World Series in both years alongside Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, Dave Concepcion, George Foster and Ken Griffey Sr.

We mourn the passing of Joe Morgan, a Hall of Famer, two-time MVP and two-time World Series champion. He was 77. pic.twitter.com/8RTRiRCeGq

— MLB (@MLB) October 12, 2020

AU Staff