Little Joe

And when the night is cold and dark
You can see, you can see light
'Cause no one can take away your right
To fight and to never surrender
--Corey Hart

Thoroughly enjoyed listening to Joe Morgan the other night as he joined the Reds TV broadcast crew for a few innings. Morgan was my favorite player on the Big Red Machine. On a team loaded with superstars, Little Joe made the machine tick. He put it all together during the magical 1975 and 76 World Series years, earning back-to-back MVP awards.

Morgan was testimony to the truth that size was not a prerequisite for performance excellence. Despite his small stature, he hit for power as well as average. Watching countless BP sessions, I recall watching him stroke ball after ball against or over the right field fence at Riverfront. Long, smooth stroke, quick hands.

Morgan was also quick afoot, but not blazing fast. He learned how to channel his quickness into base stealing skill and Gold Glove defense.

Joe Morgan possessed superior attitude. He stepped on the field to play hard and to win.

In his on-air conversation the other night, Morgan demonstrated that he has not lost that attitude. When asked about what the Reds needed to do to break out of this bad losing streak, Morgan said that players have step up and do it. "You need to figure out a way. You need to will it. If what you're doing isn't working, you have to find another way. But you keep trying until you are successful."

You need to will it. That's the lesson of Joe Morgan.