The St. Louis Cardinals expected big things from Matt Morris when they selected the 6'5" right-hander with the 12th overall pick of the June 1995 free agent draft. When he reached the majors in 1997, Morris didn’t disappoint, winning 12 games and leading all rookie hurlers with a 3.19 ERA and 149 strikeouts. A shoulder injury limited him to one start before the All Star break the following season, but his brilliant second half (2.53 ERA in 17 starts overall) convinced the Cardinals that they had found their new ace. Unfortunately for St. Louis and Morris, the future would take longer to arrive than they had anticipated.
Slated to front the club’s starting rotation in 1999, Morris missed the entire season after tearing ligaments in his right elbow during spring training. Following “Tommy John” surgery (a tendon from his right hand was transplanted to his elbow) and a year of rehab, Morris was back at spring training the following year. Rather than subject him to the strain and risk of a full season in the starting rotation, St. Louis elected to use him out of the bullpen so he could work his way back into form. In 31 appearances he won three games and saved four others, playing a key role on a deep Cardinals staff that led the club to the NL Central title.
At full strength in 2001, Morris fulfilled his early career promise. Restored to the starting rotation, he dominated hitters with a mid-90s four-seam fastball, a sinking two-seamer, straight changeup and biting overhand curve. In July he earned his first All Star selection, and on September 19, 2001 at Busch Stadium he allowed one run in seven innings while fanning 13 Milwaukee Brewers to win his 20th game of the season. (AGL)
Contribute your recollections of Matt Morris by clicking here.
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»March 22, 1999: The Cardinals announce that P Matt Morris, expected to be the ace of their staff, will miss the entire season because of a torn ligament in his right elbow.
»June 7, 2001:
The Cubs complete sweep of Cardinals, winning 4–3, and posting their 15th win in 16 games. Cub fans haven't seen that since 1945. Matt Morris takes a no hitter into the 7th before Matt Stairs 2-out double opens the door. Rondell White's single in the 10th inning drives home Sammy Sosa for the winner. Chicago takes a five game lead over St. Louis in the Central Division with the win.
»June 14, 2001: Matt Morris strikes out 11 in the Cardinals 3–2 win over the Dodgers, and Mark McGwire clubs a solo homer off Jose Lima to pass Reggie Jackson on the all-time homer list. McGwire's homer is his 563rd, putting him 6th on the home run list.
»September 19, 2001:
The Cardinals beat the Brewers, 8–2, as Matt Morris wins his 20th game of the season. Albert Pujols drives in three runs for St. Louis to set a new NL rookie mark with 120 for the season. The old mark of 119 was set by Wally Berger of the Boston Braves in 1930.
»October 9, 2001:
The Diamondbacks take the 1st game of their Divisional Series as Curt Schilling outpitches Matt Morris in hurling a 3-hit, 1-0 shutout. Steve Finley gets three hits for Arizona and drives home the game's only run.
»October 1, 2002:
The Cardinals pound Randy Johnson for six runs in six innings and go on to defeat Arizona, 12–2, in the opener of their division series. Jim Edmonds and Scott Rolen homer for St. Louis while Matt Morris gets the victory.
BALLPLAYERS | TEAMS | CHRONOLOGY | TODAY | BOOKS | NEWSLETTER | ERRATA | FAQ
