Tampa Bay Rays History: Jim Morris Makes Debut

It was the perfect ending to a great story. On this day in 1999, former high school science teacher and baseball coach Jim Morris made his debut for the Tampa Bay Rays.

There was a time when Jim Morris was a highly thought of prospect. He had been drafted with the fourth overall selection by the Milwaukee Brewers in the secondary portion of the 1983 MLB Amateur Draft. However, his time in baseball was marred by injury, as he had four different arm operations. Released by the Brewers in 1987, he spent part of 1989 in the Chicago White Sox system before retiring.

Normally, that would be the end of Morris’ baseball career. He became a high school teacher and a baseball coach, never giving a second thought about a professional baseball career. However, something happened, and Morris’ arm healed. He was firing fastballs in batting practice to his team, which convinced him to attend an open tryout with the Tampa Bay Rays in 1999.

Easily the oldest person there, no one expected much from Morris. Yet, he reared back and fired his impressive fastball, hitting the upper 90s. Not convinced, the Rays scouts changed radar guns, and Morris again was clocked in the upper 90s. He was signed to a contract, and a decade after hanging up his cleats, made his debut in AA.

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He was quickly promoted to AAA, where he had some success. Although Morris allowed less than a hit per inning, he struggled with his command, issuing 19 walks against 16 strikeouts in 23 innings. Nonetheless, he was called up to the majors, and on this day in 1999, made his debut, becoming the oldest rookie since Diomedes Olivo in 1960. In the perfect ending to his storybook path to the majors, Morris struck out Royce Clayton, the first batter he faced.

Morris lasted parts of two seasons in the majors before arm issues cropped up once again. He required shoulder surgery, ending his 2000 season, and retired in Spring Training with the Dodgers in 2001. Overall, Morris had a 4.80 ERA and a 1.467 WHiP in his 15 innings, striking out 13 batters with nine walks.

Naturally, Morris’ tale captured the imagination. He wrote an autobiography entitled The Oldest Rookie in 2001, and his story was turned into a Disney movie in 2002. Morris certainly came a long way from the high school ball field where he was throwing batting practice earlier that year.

Next: Finding the next Andrew Miller

Jim Morris gave hope to everyone that their dreams could still come true. On this day in 1999, he made his debut with the Tampa Bay Rays, striking out the first batter he faced in the majors.