Reds legend Morgan dies at 77

Morgan had served as a special advisor to Reds CEO Bob Castellini and the baseball operations department since 2010.

“The Reds family is heartbroken," Castellini said in a statement. "Joe was a giant in the game and was adored by the fans in this city,” Castellini said. “He had a lifelong loyalty and dedication to this organization that extended to our current team and front office staff. As a cornerstone on one of the greatest teams in baseball history, his contributions to this franchise will live forever. Our hearts ache for his Big Red Machine teammates.”

Morgan’s death comes about six weeks after the death of another Reds legend: pitching great Tom Seaver. Baseball has also lost Hall of Famers Whitey Ford, Bob Gibson, Lou Brock and Al Kaline in 2020.

Morgan played eight of his 22 seasons with the Reds and was the National League MVP in 1975 and 1976. The Reds won the World Series in both of those seasons.

Morgan, a second baseman who started his career with the Houston Astros in 1963, hit .271 in his career with 268 home runs and 689 stolen bases. He won the Gold Glove five times. He retired from baseball after playing for the Oakland A’s in the 1984 season.

Morgan was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990 in his first year on the ballot.

“In 1975, at the end of the season, (manager) Sparky Anderson came to me and said, ‘You’re going to be most valuable in the league,’” Morgan told the Dayton Daily News in 1990. “And he said, 'Joe, you need one of those to get into the Hall of Fame.” That was the first time I thought about going to the Hall of Fame. I started thinking maybe. I never thought for sure.”

Morgan’s former teammates with the Reds released statements through the Baseball Hall of Fame after his death.

Johnny Bench: “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. He was a dedicated father and husband and a day won’t go by that I won’t think about his wisdom and friendship. He left the world a better, fairer, and more equal place than he found it, and inspired millions along the way.”

Tony Perez: “Joe was a big part of my family during the time we played together and that remained the same long after our careers ended. He was one of those guys who was just special on so many levels in all that he did. Joe was a great player, a great teammate, and a great person. Our group shared some very special moments and experiences that will remain with us forever. At the moment, it’s just hard to put into words how much he meant to so many, and how missed he will be.”

Jane Forbes Clark, the chairman of the Baseball Hall of Fame, said Morgan was an influential figure at the Hall of Fame because he served as vice chairman of the board.

“During his career he was singularly committed to becoming the absolute best at his craft, combining his natural and developed skills with a model dedication in pursuit of his dream to become a Major League player,” Clark said. "Along the way, he inspired, he motivated, and he influenced the success of those around him. We shall always be grateful for Joe’s leadership on and off the field. We send our prayers and condolences to Theresa and the Morgan family.”