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ALSO SEE Mazeroski touches 'em all with Hall election Maz hit legendary homer Maz is lone player to end Series with Game 7 homer Mazeroski's career statistics Koppett: Who gets into the Hall? |
Wednesday, November 19, 2003 
Morgan appeared in nine All-Star Games during his career, including the 1977 classic in which he belted a lead-off HR. After 22 seasons, Morgan retired with a lifetime batting average of .271 and a remarkable fielding average of .981. He was the first second baseman to play 2,000 games, hit 200 homers and garner 2,000 hits. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1990 -- the first year he was eligible. Morgan, who teams with play-by-play commentator Jon Miller, won a CableACE Award for his work during his first season (1990). He also provides analysis for Oakland Athletics' home games on Sports Channel (since 1995) and for The Baseball Network's telecasts on NBC (since 1994). He served as the play-by-play voice of the San Francisco Giants on GiantsVision (1986-90), and he worked as a college baseball analyst for ESPN (1985-88). Here's an edited transcript of the chat:
BucsFan from [205.247.136.10], at 2:22pm ET
[3]  Joe Morgan at 2:24pm ET
The one thing that I think has been overlooked is the middle of the infield. Their job is to be defensive players first and offensive players second because the middle of the diamond is where you win championships. They have to cover more range than the corner infielders. So defense should be the No. 1 thing they should be judged on. But as all-around players, that's how you make the Hall of Fame, great defensive player with some offense or great offensive player with some defense. I think Mazeroski was a great defensive player and a good offensive player for a second baseman. And I think he's the best defensive 2B I ever saw. Hal Lewis from [199.44.109.98], at 2:25pm ET Joe: I am too young to remember watching Mazeroski play ... so how does he compare as a fielder to Robby Alomar? [7] Joe Morgan at 2:26pm ET
I think Robby probably has more range than Mazeroski, but no one has ever made the double play as well as Maz. He's the best at making the double play. And Mazeroski was a different 2B from Robby, who is more entertaining and flashy. Maz was a blue-collar worker. No one made the DP like him. Jeff from [208.216.252.74], at 2:37pm ET Do you think the Veterans Committee should eventually be disbanded or at least have its discretion curtailed? It was originally founded to select players who played before the Hall of Fame existed. Now it picks players who already had 15 chances before the writers. When do we close the books on players who played 30, 50, or 100 years ago? [20] Joe Morgan at 2:38pm ET
The point is a very valid one. We have discussed it several times. I'm vice chairman of the Hall, and we've had that discussion many times. In some circumstances, I agree - you have to close the books. But I don't know if we've reached that point yet. But that's a valid point and I agree to a certain extent. [21] Joe Morgan at 2:40pm ET
One of the things the Hall of Fame has done is we have a big research project going on the Negro Leagues to try to determine whether how many more, if any, Negro Leaguers deserve to be in the Hall of Fame. And once that study is done, we'll have a better idea when to discontinue or continue their part in the Veterans Committee. And along those same lines, we're taking a look at the 1800s and how far back we go and how accurate are the records on players who played in the 1900s and earlier. But it's a difficult task to just cut people off and say, "We're not going back to look at these people anymore." [22] Richard from [205.146.175.23], at 2:41pm ET Joe, you were a great second baseman, and are a great commentator on the game. What do you think made Mazeroski so great at turning the double play ? Was the hands--was it the footwork? [23] Joe Morgan at 2:42pm ET
He had very quick hands and had really big legs, so it was difficult to knock him over. He had great footwork and never cheated at 2B. I tried to pattern myself after Mazeroski; my hands weren't as quick, but I tried to turn the DP the way he did. It helped me be a better player, trying to pattern my pivot after Mazeroski. Joe, What do you know about Hilton Smith, the other Hall of Fame pick? Was he a good choice? [25] Joe Morgan at 2:44pm ET
One of the problems I have as vice chairman of the Hall is that the Negro Leaguers and the pre-1900 guys I've heard very little about. I'll read about Smith and learn about him in the next couple of weeks. But I don't even know what position he played. [30] Bob G from [205.238.253.66], at 2:48pm ET Joe - Hilton Smith was with Satchel on the Monarchs, right hander. Died in 1983, a shame these guys weren't recognized sooner [31] Joe Morgan at 2:49pm ET
Just because I didn't know who he was, I'm not dampening his accomplishments. I just didn't know who he was. I knew Satchel. And everybody who talked about the Negro Leagues, brought Satchel up first. Nobody made mention of Smith to me before. But anyone who played with Satchel would be overshadowed anyway. [32] Joe Morgan at 2:51pm ET
My link to the Negro Leagues is Sam Lacey, who traveled with Jackie Robinson, Joe Black, Don Newcombe, Larry Doby and Buck O'Neil. These are the guys I've talked to about the Negro Leagues for a long time. And I used to sit and talk to Satchel a lot before he passed away.
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On Tuesday, baseball Hall of Famer Joe Morgan dropped by to chat shortly after this year's Veteran's Committee announcement that Bill Mazeroski and Negro leaguer Hilton Smith have been elected to the Hall.