Joe Morgan, driving force of Big Red Machine, dies at 77

CINCINNATI (AP/WTVQ) – The Hall of Fame second baseman Joe Morgan has died. A family spokesman says he died at his home Sunday in Danville, California. Morgan was suffering from a nerve condition, a form of polyneuropathy.

The Cincinnati Reds issued a statement Monday offering condolences. It said in part, “The Reds family is heartbroken. Joe was a giant in the game and was adored by the fans in this city,” said CEO Bob Castellini, a special advisor to the Reds. “He had a lifelong loyalty and dedication to this organization that extended to our current team and front office staff. As a cornerstone on one of the greatest teams in baseball history, his contributions to this franchise will live forever. Our hearts ache for his Big Red Machine teammates.”

Morgan became the sparkplug of the Big Red Machine and the prototype for baseball’s artificial turf era. He was a two-time NL Most Valuable Player, a 10-time All-Star and won five Gold Gloves. He could hit a home run, steal a base and disrupt any game with his daring.

Most of all, the 5-foot-7 dynamo known for flapping his left elbow drove a Cincinnati team featuring the likes of Pete Rose, Johnny Bench and Tony Perez to World Series titles in 1975 and ’76. Joe Morgan was 77 years old.