Ed Morris (1920s pitcher)

{{Other uses|Edward Morris (disambiguation){{!}}Edward Morris}}

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name=Ed Morris

|image=Ed Morris of Boston Red Sox, 1929 photo by Times Wide World.jpg

|position=Pitcher

|bats=Right

|throws=Right

|birth_date={{Birth date|1899|12|7|mf=y}}

|birth_place=Foshee, Alabama, U.S.

|death_date={{death date and age|1932|3|2|1899|12|7}}

|death_place=Century, Florida, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate=August 5

|debutyear=1922

|debutteam=Chicago Cubs

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate=September 21

|finalyear=1931

|finalteam=Boston Red Sox

|statleague = MLB

|stat2label=Earned run average

|stat2value=4.19

|stat1label=Win–loss record

|stat1value=42–45

|stat3label=Strikeouts

|stat3value=256

|teams=

Chicago Cubs ({{mlby|1922}})
Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|1928}}–{{mlby|1931}})

}}

Walter Edward "Big Ed" Morris (December 7, 1899 – March 3, 1932) was an American baseball player who died after being stabbed in an altercation at a party. He was a starting pitcher in Major League who played in five seasons from {{By|1922}} to {{By|1931}}. Listed at {{height|ft=6|in=2}}, 185 lb., he batted and threw right-handed.

Early career

A native of Foshee, Alabama, Morris entered the majors in August 1922 with the Chicago Cubs, appearing for them in 12 innings of relief and did not have a decision. While pitching in the minors for Montgomery, he threw a no-hitter against Hershey. Morris returned to the major leagues in 1928, this time with the Boston Red Sox.

Later career

In 1928, Morris posted a 19–15 record with a 3.53 ERA and 104 strikeouts in {{frac|257|2|3}} innings for the last-place Red Sox, being considered in the American League MVP vote. In 1929, he went 14-14 with a 4.45 ERA. After that, he went 4-9 in 1930 and 5-7 in 1931.

In a five-year career, Morris posted a 42–45 record with 256 strikeouts and a 4.19 ERA in 140 appearances, including 78 starts, 43 complete games, two shutouts, six saves, and 674.0 innings of work.

Death

Prior to 1932 spring training, some friends of Morris threw a going-away party for him in Century, Florida. The party got out of hand, and Morris got into an altercation with a gas station attendant who was at the tavern where the party was held. In the middle of the discussion, the man pulled out a knife and stabbed Morris in the chest. Morris was taken to a local hospital in critical condition and later died.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,929854-2,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106151534/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,929854-2,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2012|title=Sport: New Season|date=March 28, 1932|magazine=Time|publisher=Time Inc.|accessdate=26 December 2010}}{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5ao0AAAAIBAJ&pg=1593,4774725|title=Red Sox Pitcher Ed Morris, Critically Stabbed During Brawl|date=March 2, 1932|work=Lewiston Daily Sun|accessdate=26 December 2010}}