It was only
the second extra-inning seventh game ever and only the
second 1-0 seventh game ever, Morris, himself, was brilliant,
throwing all 10 innings, shutting the Braves out on
seven hits.
John Scott "Jack" Morris was
born May 16, 1955 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Jack is a
former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher.
He played in 18 big league seasons between 1977 and
1994, mainly for the Detroit Tigers, and won 254 games
throughout his career.
Jack attended Brigham Young University and was drafted
by the Tigers in the fifth round of the 1976 draft.
He broke into the Tigers' pitching rotation in 1979,
posting a 17-7 record and a 3.29 ERA and establishing
himself as the ace of the Detroit staff. Morris, along
with shortstop Alan Trammell, second baseman Lou Whitaker,
and manager Sparky Anderson, played a notable role
in turning the Tigers into a contending team for most
of the 1980s.
On April 7, 1984, Jack hurled a no-hitter against
the Chicago White Sox, beginning what would be an
excellent season for him. At the end of the 1984 campaign,
he notched 19 wins and a 3.60 ERA, leading Detroit
into the postseason. He scored a win over the Kansas
City Royals in the ALCS, and added two more in the
World Series against the San Diego Padres as the Tigers
stormed to the World Championship.
In 1986, Jack racked up 21 wins, but was overshadowed
by eventual Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens and
his achievements with the Boston Red Sox. 1987 would
again see the Tigers head to the postseason, but this
time Morris' performance was below expectations as
Detroit lost the ALCS to the eventual World champion
Minnesota Twins. Despite this loss, he would finish
the 1980s as the winningest pitcher of the decade,
with 162 wins.
In 1991, Jack Morris signed a one-year contract with
his hometown Minnesota Twins. He enjoyed another great
season, posting 18 wins as Minnesota faced the Atlanta
Braves in the World Series. He started for the Twins
three times, with his final outing being Game 7. In
a postseason performance for the ages, the 36-year-old
hurler threw 10 innings of shutout baseball against
the Braves as the Twins won the World title on a 10th
inning single by Gene Larkin that scored Dan Gladden.
Jack Morris was named the World Series MVP for his
fantastic performance.
Following the 1991 season, Jack Morris signed with
the Toronto Blue Jays. He earned 21 wins for the second
time in his career as the Blue Jays reached the 1992
World Series against the Braves. Despite his performance
being subpar, he did win a third championship ring,
as Toronto beat Atlanta in six games. He would win
a fourth in 1993, as the Blue Jays repeated as World
champions, this time with a six-game victory over
the Philadelphia Phillies. He joined the Cleveland
Indians in 1994, but left the team in August and retired.
Jack decided to try pitching once again a year later
back in his hometown playing for the Northern League's
St. Paul Saints. The competitive pitcher retired just
halfway through the season, but ended up leading the
league with a 2.61 ERA. (AG/ME)
Armed with a fastball, slider, and devastating split-finger
pitch, Jack Morris was a five-time All-Star (1981,
1984, 1985, 1987, and 1991). However, his fiery competitive
nature sometimes got him into trouble with the media.
He sometimes refused to talk to reporters, and while
with the Tigers irked teammates and his manager, Sparky
Anderson, with his childishness.
Jack was in the Top 10 of the voting for the Cy Young
Award on many occasions, despite never actually winning
the award. He is currently making a bid for entry
into the Baseball Hall of Fame, although his career
ERA of 3.90 is very high for a Hall of Fame candidate.
