There, I said it.
Today's Baseball Birthday, Jack Morris, was born on May 16th, 1955, in St. Paul, Minnesota.
After playing college baseball at Brigham Young University, Morris was drafted in the 5th round of the Amateur Draft by the Detroit Tigers in 1976.
Jack Morris made his big league debut for the Tigers on July 26th, 1977, after the Tigers called him up to replace an injured Marl Fidrych.
In 7 games with the Tigers in '77, Morris was 1-1, with a 3.74 ERA, striking out 28 batters while walking 23.
After going 3-5 in '78, Jack Morris won 17 games, starting a streak of 14 or more wins, between '77-92.
Morris won 20+ games three times, and no pitcher won more games in the 1980's (162), than Jack Morris did.
Morris was a young pitcher on very young Tigers teams of the late '70's and early '80's, teams that included Lance Parrish, Lou Whitaker, Alan Trammell, and Kirk Gibson.
Morris logged 3,824 innings in 549 big league games, striking out 2,478 batters.
On April 7th of the 1984 baseball season, Jack Morris threw a no-hitter at Comiskey Park in Chicago, vs, the White Sox.
That no-hitter was the centerpiece of a record 35-5 start by the Tigers, which led to the '84 East Division, American League, and World Series Championships.
Jack Morris left the Tigers after a disappointing 15-18 season in 1990, and in 1991 he led the Minnesota Twins to the World Series Title, winning a memorable Game 7, 1-0, earning MVP Honors.
In 1992 Morris moved to the Toronto Blue Jays, winning an American League high 21 games, leading the Blue Jays to the franchise's first ever World Series Title.
There has not been a big game post season pitcher any better than Jack Morris was in 1984 and 1991.
Why Jack Morris isn't in the HOF is beyond any logical thinking.
254 wins, 175 complete games, 28 shutouts, 2,478 K's, 4 time All-Star, 4 time World Series Champion, led the A.L. in wins in 1981, '82, 1984, 1991 Babe Ruth Award Winner, and made 14 straight Opening Day starts...a big league record.
I believe Jack Morris belongs in the HOF, and one day he will be so honored.
In my humble opinion, Jack Morris would already be in the HOF had he pitched for the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Dodgers, Cardinals...the media darling teams.
Happy Birthday Jack!!
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