Chart: The case for and against Jack Morris

January 13, 2014 at 6:18PM
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Jack Morris (47) hurls against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning of game four of the World Series Wednesday October 23, 1991in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) ORG XMIT: APHS83900
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Jack Morris (47) hurls against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning of game four of the World Series Wednesday October 23, 1991in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) ORG XMIT: APHS83900 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Final shot for st. paul's own

Former Twin and St. Paul native Jack Morris is on the Hall of Fame ballot for the 15th and final time. He has become the definition of a borderline candidate, collecting 67.2 percent of the vote last year — 75 percent is needed for enshrinement. Here's a look at the arguing points on both sides of the Morris debate:

The case for

A front-line starter on three World Series winners, with 254 career victories.

Pitched at least eight innings in 248 starts. Pitched possibly the greatest World Series game ever, leading the Twins to a 1-0, 10-inning victory over Atlanta in Game 7 in 1991.

The case against

Would have highest ERA (3.90) of any Hall of Fame pitcher.

Never finished higher than third in Cy Young Award voting.

Never finished in the top three in the AL in ERA or WHIP.


Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jack Morris pitches against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning of the 1992 World Series on Saturday, Oct. 17, 1992 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Swart) ORG XMIT: APHS184597
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jack Morris pitches against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning of the 1992 World Series on Saturday, Oct. 17, 1992 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Swart) ORG XMIT: APHS184597 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
FILE - In this June 27, 1988, file photo, Detroit Tigers' Jack Morris pitches against the New York Yankees in New York. This is the last year Morris is eligible to be voted into the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America, and the former stalwart starting pitcher with three World Series rings faces a tough final hurdle to clear with newcomers Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Mike Mussina joining him on the ballot. Morris came close in 2013, with 67.7 percent approval. (AP Photo/M
FILE - In this June 27, 1988, file photo, Detroit Tigers' Jack Morris pitches against the New York Yankees in New York. This is the last year Morris is eligible to be voted into the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America, and the former stalwart starting pitcher with three World Series rings faces a tough final hurdle to clear with newcomers Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Mike Mussina joining him on the ballot. Morris came close in 2013, with 67.7 percent approval. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) ORG XMIT: NY168 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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Bailey Ober used to babysit Drake Maye at their brothers' sporting events in North Carolina.

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