Joe Morgan died on Saturday, the Boston Red Sox announced on Sunday. Morgan, best known for his stint as manager of the Red Sox from 1988-1991, became something of a legendary figure among fans for helping his team defy all odds 19 of their first 20 games under his direction and soared from fourth place to first in the American League East -- a.k.a. "Morgan Magic." “Joe Morgan holds a special place in Red Sox history,” Red Sox principal owner John Henry said in a statement.
The two division titles that followed only strengthened a bond with Red Sox fans that endured for the rest of his life. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and all who loved him.” Morgan, who was born in Walpole, Mass., spent nearly four decades in baseball as a player, coach, scout, and manager, most of them in the minor leagues, before taking over as the manager of his hometown team. Morgan was dubbed "Tollway Joe" for picking up odd jobs as a snowplower along the Massachusetts Turnpike, a carpenter, bricklayer, oil deliveryman, census taker, substitute teacher, truck dispatcher, and mail sorter during the offseason, jobs he had to take to augment his modest salary.
It's one of the most interesting baseball lives that we have on record, as he was the son of Irish immigrants, attended Boston College on a hockey scholarship where he was eventually named captain, spent several years in the Army, and is credited with popularizing the term "Thick Skin." Morgan is survived by his children Catherine, Joseph Jr., William, and Barbara; six grandchildren: Anthony, Ashley, Rachel, Paige, Jake, and Michael; and five great grandchildren: Marco, Evelyn, Vincent, Anthony Jr., and Arielle.
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