Ultimate Disruptor

"They've got a lotta trouble on that ship."
--Admiral Bates

During the CV19 shutdown this past spring, the local Reds TV affiliate replayed the great 1975 World Series vs the Red Sox. 

I was watching Game 5 with the Reds up 2-1 in the bottom of the 6th. Joe Morgan led off. Sox starter Reggie Cleveland got ahead on the count. Morgan, who had the best eye in the game, took a couple of close ones for balls--the last one on a 3-2 count that had both Cleveland and catcher Carlton Fisk complaining about a missed strike call.

Down at first, Morgan took his characteristic huge lead off the bag with his right foot far out of the sliding pit onto the astro turf carpet. Cleveland picked to first, again and again--a couple of times almost uncorking wild ones. Completely distracted, Cleveland served a fat one to next hitter Johnny Bench, who promptly lined a hit to right center field. Challenging RF Dwight Evans' cannon arm, Morgan rounded second and headed for third--which he took with a headfirst slide and a cloud of dust. Bench went to second on the throw.

Clearly rattled, Cleveland now looked in at Tony Perez, who had already homered earlier in the game. A couple pitches later, Perez deposited a Cleveland fastball into the seats in left centerfield, blowing the game open.

Watching the inning unfold, I was thinking one thing: that was consummate Joe Morgan. He could wreak havoc in so many ways. The ultimate disruptor. The true driving force of the Big Red Machine.

Joe Morgan passed away today at age 77. We'll miss you, Little Joe.