Ed Morris

Who was Ed Morris?

Walter Edward Morris [Big Ed] was a starting pitcher in Major League who played between the 1922 and 1931 seasons. Listed at 6 ft 2 in, 185 lb., he batted and threw right-handed.

A native of Foshee, Alabama, Morris was a promising young pitcher before developing arm problems. He 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 minor leagues for Montgomery, he threw a no-hitter against Hershey, and finally returned to the major leagues in 1928, this time with the Boston Red Sox.

In 1928 Morris posted a 19–15 record with a 3.53 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 257⅔ 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, before injuring his arm during a scuffle in a St. Louis hotel elevator. 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.

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 a knife and stabbed Morris in the chest. Morris was taken to a local hospital in critical condition, but later died at the age of 32.