Hal Morris
Encyclopedia
William Harold Morris III (born April 9, 1965 in Fort Rucker, Alabama) is a former first baseman
in Major League Baseball
who played primarily for the Cincinnati Reds
. He attended Munster High School
in Munster, Indiana
, and the University of Michigan
. Morris was the Player of the Year while attending Munster High School. His Michigan team started the 1983 campaign 33-0 and made an appearance in the College World Series. That team had three future Reds in Morris, Barry Larkin
, and Chris Sabo
. He is currently the director of professional scouting for the Los Angeles Angels
.
Morris was selected by the New York Yankees
in the 8th round of the amateur draft. Besides the Yankees and Reds, he also played for the Kansas City Royals
and Detroit Tigers
. Morris was known for his unusual hitting technique. His feet never settled as the pitcher delivered the ball, so his swing was preceded by his feet shuffling towards the plate. Hal was not known for his power, but he had an uncanny ability to spray the ball to all corners of the ballpark. He was not exceptional defensively, but he was a very solid first baseman.
After retiring, Morris continued his education by graduating with an MBA from Stanford University. Morris has been involved in a variety of real estate and technology ventures, and has been an adviser to Montara Capital Partners, a boutique private equity firm focused on 1031 exchange and tax advantaged real estate transactions. Before joining the Angels in November 2011, he was a professional scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates
for two seasons and the Boston Red Sox
for one . His brother, Bobby, played professional baseball between 1993 and 2001.
Career Highlights:
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played primarily for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. He attended Munster High School
Munster High School
Munster High School is located at 8808 Columbia Avenue in the town of Munster, Indiana, in the United States. It is owned and operated by the School Town of Munster. Munster High School serves as the only high school for the Munster School District and has a long history of educational achievement...
in Munster, Indiana
Munster, Indiana
Munster is a town located in North Township, Lake County, in Northwest Indiana in the United States. This bedroom community lies in the Chicago metropolitan area, approximately southeast of the Chicago Loop, and shares municipal boundaries with Hammond to the north, Highland to the east, Dyer and...
, and the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. Morris was the Player of the Year while attending Munster High School. His Michigan team started the 1983 campaign 33-0 and made an appearance in the College World Series. That team had three future Reds in Morris, Barry Larkin
Barry Larkin
Barry Louis Larkin is a retired Major League Baseball player. Larkin played shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds from 1986 to 2004 and was one of the pivotal players on the 1990 Reds' World Series championship team...
, and Chris Sabo
Chris Sabo
Christopher Andrew Sabo is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds , Baltimore Orioles , Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals . At 6'0" and 180 lb , he batted and threw right-handed...
. He is currently the director of professional scouting for the Los Angeles Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
.
Morris was selected by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in the 8th round of the amateur draft. Besides the Yankees and Reds, he also played for the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
and Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. Morris was known for his unusual hitting technique. His feet never settled as the pitcher delivered the ball, so his swing was preceded by his feet shuffling towards the plate. Hal was not known for his power, but he had an uncanny ability to spray the ball to all corners of the ballpark. He was not exceptional defensively, but he was a very solid first baseman.
After retiring, Morris continued his education by graduating with an MBA from Stanford University. Morris has been involved in a variety of real estate and technology ventures, and has been an adviser to Montara Capital Partners, a boutique private equity firm focused on 1031 exchange and tax advantaged real estate transactions. Before joining the Angels in November 2011, he was a professional scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
for two seasons and the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
for one . His brother, Bobby, played professional baseball between 1993 and 2001.
Career Highlights:
- Morris was a part of the 1990 Cincinnati Reds, which won the World Series. His sacrifice fly in game 4 turned out to be the game- (and series-) winning RBI.
- In 1991, Morris finished 1 point behind Atlanta's Terry Pendleton in the battle for the National League hitting crown. Morris finished ended the year at .318, while Terry PendletonTerry PendletonTerry Lee Pendleton is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball, and a former hitting coach and current first base coach of the Atlanta Braves. He played primarily for the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves, but he also spent time with the Florida Marlins, Cincinnati Reds, and Kansas...
finished at .319. - Morris compiled a 32 game hitting streak from August 26, 1996 to April 3, 1997.
- He also appeared on the cover of Wheaties.