Joe Morgan died today at the age of 77.

He was the best second baseman ever and played on the best team ever. I had the privilege of seeing him, and The Big Red Machine play several times including Game 2 of the '76 World Series sweep of the Yankees.

https://www.mlb.com/reds/news/joe-morgan-dies

Not Joe. Say it ain't so.

I’ve been a Reds fan since 1975. I just picked them as my team and have followed them ever since. The Big Red Machine was an unbelievable collection of talent and fun to watch. Morgan with the chicken wing motion in the batters box was cool. It’s tough seeing these old superstars dying off, especially since it only seems like a few years ago when they played. I used to tune into the Reds broadcasts on the stereo living in eastern NC. On a clear night it came in pretty good from WLW in Cincinnati.

Brock, Seaver, Morgan.... ouch. Wasn’t a Reds fan, but had to respect that team because of players like Morgan, Bench, and Concepcion.

I saw that news earlier this morning - as ESPN.com was loading I saw his face and said - Oh No! and the rest of the page loaded to exactly what I was afraid but expecting - He was a great player. It is hard to think of a better 2Bman in the modern era - perhaps Ryne Sandberg (probably others I'm not remembering) - I texted 4 of my hometown buddies this morning (buddies since 4th grade) back when baseball was king (around late 1800s) in the 50s and 60s and made a similar point that it was sad that we are losing so many of our early heroes...

bigdaddyg wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 12, 2020 2:34 pm

I’ve been a Reds fan since 1975. I just picked them as my team and have followed them ever since. The Big Red Machine was an unbelievable collection of talent and fun to watch. Morgan with the chicken wing motion in the batters box was cool. It’s tough seeing these old superstars dying off, especially since it only seems like a few years ago when they played. I used to tune into the Reds broadcasts on the stereo living in eastern NC. On a clear night it came in pretty good from WLW in Cincinnati.

Does Joe Nuxhall ring a bell :>)

Another generation is passing from the scene. It's sobering for some of us.

WVAPPeer wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 12, 2020 4:14 pm

bigdaddyg wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 12, 2020 2:34 pm

I’ve been a Reds fan since 1975. I just picked them as my team and have followed them ever since. The Big Red Machine was an unbelievable collection of talent and fun to watch. Morgan with the chicken wing motion in the batters box was cool. It’s tough seeing these old superstars dying off, especially since it only seems like a few years ago when they played. I used to tune into the Reds broadcasts on the stereo living in eastern NC. On a clear night it came in pretty good from WLW in Cincinnati.

Does Joe Nuxhall ring a bell :>)

Oh yeah and Marty Brenneman

bigdaddyg wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 12, 2020 6:37 pm

WVAPPeer wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 12, 2020 4:14 pm

bigdaddyg wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 12, 2020 2:34 pm

I’ve been a Reds fan since 1975. I just picked them as my team and have followed them ever since. The Big Red Machine was an unbelievable collection of talent and fun to watch. Morgan with the chicken wing motion in the batters box was cool. It’s tough seeing these old superstars dying off, especially since it only seems like a few years ago when they played. I used to tune into the Reds broadcasts on the stereo living in eastern NC. On a clear night it came in pretty good from WLW in Cincinnati.

Does Joe Nuxhall ring a bell :>)

Oh yeah and Marty Brenneman

Yep - and for those who didn't know - Joe Nuxhall is the youngest guy to ever play in MLB - he was 15 when he made his first appearance - LHP

He was a grate pawdkaster.

bigdaddyg wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 12, 2020 2:34 pm

I’ve been a Reds fan since 1975. I just picked them as my team and have followed them ever since. The Big Red Machine was an unbelievable collection of talent and fun to watch. Morgan with the chicken wing motion in the batters box was cool. It’s tough seeing these old superstars dying off, especially since it only seems like a few years ago when they played. I used to tune into the Reds broadcasts on the stereo living in eastern NC. On a clear night it came in pretty good from WLW in Cincinnati.

Trivia: the broadcaster for Reds baseball was Marty Brennamen. He started out in Salisbury, NC broadcasting Rowan American Legion Baseball. He was great and the team was always battling Wilmington Post 51 for the state title year in and year out. Marty would call the games on WSTP/WRDX radio and pretty much the entire county would hang on every call.