Blue Jays’ former ace, Jack Morris elected to HOF

On Sunday it was announced that former Blue Jays’ pitcher Jack Morris had been elected to the Hall of Fame by the Modern Era committee.

Another player with ties to the Toronto Blue Jays has been elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame. This time it was Jack Morris, who was announced as an inductee on Sunday, and was chosen by the veterans committee. Morris had topped out at 67.7% of the vote in 2013 on his 14th ballot, narrowly missing being elected over his 15 tries at eligibility. He was even quoted as saying he was glad it was over in 2014 when he missed out for the final time.

Morris will enter the Hall of Fame with the highest ERA of any starting pitcher enshrined, but numbers like that are definitely relative to the era, and Morris was definitely one of the best arms in his. Throughout his 18 year career, the former Detroit Tiger, Minnesota Twin, Toronto Blue Jay, and Cleveland Indian won 254 games against 186 losses, had a 3.90 ERA, and was a three time, 20 game winner, including when he picked up 21 in 1992 with the Blue Jays.

Morris may not have dominated in the ERA column, but the recognition he received from his peers throughout his career was extensive. He was a five time All-Star, received Cy Young votes in seven different seasons, topping out at third in 1981 and 1983. He also collected MVP votes in five different campaigns as well.

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Morris’ stint with the Blue Jays was short and sweet, as he stuck around long enough to collect two championship rings while in Toronto. His first season as a Blue Jay he was 21-6 with a 4.04 ERA in 34 starts and 240.2 innings pitched. He finished 4th in Cy Young voting that season as a 37 year old, and made then GM Pat Gillick look very smart by bringing him on board after his heroics for the Twins the year before. As a result, Morris was a part of the World Series winner for three consecutive seasons.

He didn’t fare so well in 1993, his second in Toronto, finishing the year 7-12 with a 6.19 ERA in 27 starts. The playoff hero was finally showing his age at 38, and would pitch just one more season in Cleveland before calling it a career.

Morris was chosen by the Modern Era committee which evaluates players who played from 1970-1987 as things currently stand. He was elected alongside his former Detroit Tiger teammate, Alan Trammell, and the two of them will receive the honour next July in Cooperstown.

While it would be outstanding to see Morris choose a Blue Jay cap to wear on his Hall of Fame plaque, it’s widely expected that he’ll represent the Detroit Tigers, where he played 14 of his 18 big league seasons. Still, that doesn’t mean we can’t be happy for him as Blue Jays’ fans, and thankful for the contribution he made to the first World Series winner in franchise here.

Congrats Mr. Morris! The long wait for enshrinement is finally over.

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