Jack Morris

Jack Morris, born John Scott Morris on May 16, 1955 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is widely regarded as one of the most durable and successful starting pitchers in modern baseball history. Over a 17‑year Major League career spanning 1977‑1994, he amassed a 254–186 win‑loss record, a 3.90 earned run average, and 2,478 strikeouts, earning five All‑Star selections and three World Series championships with three different clubs. Known for his powerful fastball, devastating slider, and especially his forkball, Morris became the ace of the Detroit Tigers in the early 1980s, leading the league in wins in 1981 and striking out 232 batters in 1983 while also topping the league in innings pitched. His 1984 no‑hitter against the Chicago White Sox and his clutch performances in the 1984 and 1991 World Series—where he was named MVP—solidified his reputation as a postseason powerhouse. After a brief stint with the Minnesota Twins and two successful years with the Toronto Blue Jays, he closed his playing days with the Cleveland Indians and a short independent‑league cameo with the St. Paul Saints before retiring for good in 1996. Following retirement, Morris transitioned to broadcasting, serving as a color analyst for the Twins, Blue Jays, and Tigers and contributing to national MLB coverage on Fox Sports 1, showcasing his deep knowledge of pitching mechanics and game strategy. His contributions to the sport were finally recognized when the Modern Era Committee elected him to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018, making him the only Hall‑of‑Fame pitcher with a career ERA above 3.90. Off the field, Morris is an avid hunter and fisherman, a family man with three sons, and remains a beloved figure in Minnesota sports culture.