Joe Morgan, the former manager of the Boston Red Sox who steered the team to two American League East championships, has died at the age of 95. His death was announced by the Red Sox on Sunday, with the team stating they were informed by his daughter, Catherine.
Morgan is remembered for his tenure with the Red Sox from 1988 to 1991. Upon taking over as manager on July 14, 1988, he presided over an immediate turnaround, with the team winning 12 consecutive games and 19 of their next 20, ultimately securing a division title. This period became known as "Morgan Magic," a phrase that remains a part of Red Sox lore.
Under his guidance, the Red Sox also won the AL East title in 1990. The team was eliminated in the American League Championship Series by the Oakland Athletics in both 1988 and 1990. Morgan concluded his managerial career with the Red Sox with a record of 301-262.
Born in Walpole, Massachusetts, and an alumnus of Boston College, Morgan had a long history with the Red Sox organization. He served as the first base coach in 1985 before stepping into the manager role. Prior to his promotion to the major league staff in 1983 as a scout, he managed the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox for nine seasons (1974-1982), making him the longest-serving manager in the club's history.
Before his coaching and managing career, Morgan played 88 major league games as an infielder between 1959 and 1964 for five different teams, including the Milwaukee Braves, Kansas City Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, and St. Louis Cardinals. He began his minor league managing career in 1966.
Morgan was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2006. Players who played under him expressed their admiration. Hall of Fame third baseman Wade Boggs recalled Morgan as being "baseball-smart" and relying on "hunches instead of statistics." Pitcher Roger Clemens, who won three of his seven Cy Young Awards with Boston, described Morgan as a "fun manager" who was "always extremely positive."
Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry acknowledged Morgan's "special place in Red Sox history," noting how he "changed the course of a season and created one of the most memorable chapters in the history of this club." Team chairman Tom Werner added that Morgan "gave New England a summer it would never forget."
Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy, who was a fan during Morgan's formative years, stated that Morgan "made us believe." He also noted that his personal interactions with Morgan later in life revealed "an even better person than the baseball man."
Morgan is survived by his children Joseph Jr., William, and Barbara, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, in addition to his daughter Catherine.