1963–1984 · 2B

Joe Morgan

5' 7", 160 lbs·Lived to 77·Bats L / Throws R

Hall of Fame · 19905×Gold Glove2×MVPSilver SluggerAll-Star

The Almanac's Take

The flap of Morgan's left elbow before each pitch became baseball's most recognizable batting ritual, but it was his mind that made him the greatest second baseman ever. That 1976 MVP season captures why: a .320 average with 27 homers and an OPS+ of 150 from a middle infielder who also stole 60 bases and anchored the Big Red Machine's defense.

Morgan's career OPS+ of 118 over 22 seasons tells only part of the story. He combined elite plate discipline with unexpected power, hitting 268 home runs when second basemen rarely cleared double digits. Five Gold Gloves prove he never sacrificed defense for offense, making those spectacular pivot turns while turning 1,865 career double plays. The two MVP awards came during Cincinnati's back-to-back championships, when Morgan became the engine of baseball's most dominant lineup.

Career Highs

1.020

Best OPS · 1976

Most HR · 1976

111

Most RBI · 1976

.327

Best AVG · 1975

Career Arc · OPS

22 seasons

Statistical Comps

Geraldo Perdomo

98%

2025 season

ISO .173 · K% 11.7 · BB% 13.2 · HR% 2.8

Mookie Betts

97%

2024 season

ISO .202 · K% 11.0 · BB% 11.8 · HR% 3.7

Vladimir Guerrero

97%

2025 season

ISO .175 · K% 13.8 · BB% 11.9 · HR% 3.4

Career · Batting

22 seasons

Year	Team	G	AB	HR	RBI	AVG	OPS	OPS+
1963	HOU	8	25	0	3	.240	.687	—
1964	HOU	10	37	0	0	.189	.492	—
1965	HOU	157	601	14	40	.271	.791	—
1966	HOU	122	425	5	42	.285	.801	—
1967	HOU	133	494	6	42	.275	.789	—
1968	HOU	10	20	0	0	.250	.794	—
1969	HOU	147	535	15	43	.236	.737	—
1970	HOU	144	548	8	52	.268	.779	110
1971	HOU	160	583	13	56	.256	.757	111
1972	CIN	149	552	16	73	.292	.851	128
1973	CIN	157	576	26	82	.290	.899	128
1974	CIN	149	512	22	67	.293	.921	133
1975	CIN	146	498	17	94	.327	.974	139
1976	CIN	141	472	27	111	.320	1.020	150
1977	CIN	153	521	22	78	.288	.895	123
1978	CIN	132	441	13	75	.236	.733	104
1979	CIN	127	436	9	32	.250	.756	104
1980	HOU	141	461	11	49	.243	.740	104
1981	SF	90	308	8	31	.240	.748	109
1982	SF	134	463	14	61	.289	.838	118
1983	PHI	123	404	16	59	.230	.773	108
1984	ATH	116	365	6	43	.244	.707	100
Career		2649	9277	268	1133	.271	—	—

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