In Memoriam : Baseball Hall of Famer Joe Morgan dies at 77

Hall of Fame second baseman Joe Morgan, a key member of the Cincinnati Reds’ famed Big Red Machine, has died at age 77, reports ESPN.

Joe Morgan Dies

Morgan died at his home in California, a family spokesperson confirmed.

He had struggled with various health issues in recent years, including a nerve condition, a form of polyneuropathy.

Baseball career

ESPN Reports:

Morgan was a two-time National League Most Valuable Player, a 10-time All-Star and a five-time Gold Glove Award winner. He is widely regarded as one of the best second basemen in baseball history and also gained renown for his 25-plus years as a broadcaster after his playing career.

He spent the majority of his 22-year career with the Reds and the Houston Astros franchise. Along with Pete Rose and fellow Hall of Famers Johnny Bench and Tony Perez, Morgan helped the Reds win back-to-back World Series championships in 1975 and 1976. Cincinnati also reached the World Series in 1972, Morgan’s first year with the Reds.

Baseball MVP

Morgan was the NL MVP in 1975 and 1976 and also was named an All-Star in each of his eight seasons with the Reds. He was a .271 career hitter with 268 home runs, 1,133 RBIs, 1,650 runs scored and 689 stolen bases, 11th-most in baseball history.

Raised in Oakland, California, Morgan set the NL record for games played at second base and ranked among the career leaders in walks.

He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990. The Reds inducted him into their hall of fame and retired his number (8).

Joe Morgan’s legacy

Morgan is survived by his wife of 30 years, Theresa; their twin daughters, Kelly and Ashley; and daughters Lisa and Angela from his marriage to Gloria Morgan.