Oct 16, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers former player Jack Morris throws out the ceremonial first pitch before game three of the 2012 ALCS between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
It’s probably unfair to ask a question in a headline without answering it in my article. Unfortunately, life isn’t fair, and neither is this post. I don’t pretend to have any insight into the choices made by the voting members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, although I have seen a few who have tweeted their votes. And certainly, the debate has been loud and opinions have been strong as “steroid era” players’ names appear in growing numbers on the ballot.
As I’ve mentioned before, deep down, I’m really just a “homer”. I love my Minnesota Twins, even when they drive me crazy, and even when I’m ranting about why they’re driving me crazy. I’d vote for Jack Morris and his 254 career wins in a heartbeat. The golden years in my memory would have simply been dull years without Morris. I wrote about Game 7 of the 1991 World Series on this year’s anniversary. Some consider that year’s Fall Classic the greatest of all time, and Morris led the Twins to a final victory when he willed the Twins to win in an incredible ten inning performance.
That was the only year the Saint Paul native played for his hometown team. In fact, he frustrated the Twins during his many years as a Detroit Tiger. He finished his career with two season in Toronto and a season in Cleveland. However, his hometown roots still seem to keep him connected to the Twins, as he can has been a part of fan events like TwinsFest, occasionally filling in on the radio or TV broadcasts, and other special Twins events.
If elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, Morris would join Minnesota natives Dave Winfield and Paul Molitor, and one can presume he’ll someday be joined by Joe Mauer. Interestingly enough, although Minneapolis is the home of Twins baseball fields, all these men hail from St. Paul, seemingly the source of Minnesota’s baseball talent. (Don’t panic, Minneapolis lovers…that was just a joke!) I couldn’t find a ready source that listed hometown information for Hall of Fame players. If you know of another HOF member was born and raised in Minnesota, please share his name in the comments below.
People with a much stronger grasp on baseball history will be making the final decision on Morris’s fate, and I’m okay with that. I do hope most of them look at Morris’s career from this perspective:
If video doesn’t appear above, click here.
In any case, the world will know on Wednesday at 1:00 pm CT if Morris is elected to the Hall after many years of waiting. Before noon on Wednesday, share your opinion. After noon, we’ll leave our readers’ results posted for a few days.