Bobrek and others who entertain me with discussion of the '60s and '70s Astros--where were you, and what sort of profanity did you utter, when heard about this on November 29, 1971?
I remember being very puzzled over that deal. Morgan was my favorite Astro and probably our best player. I then watched him become an integral part of those Big Red Machines. Here's the part that hurts: Morgan talks and acts like he was never an Astro... Who was the GM that traded away Rusty Staub?
From what I've heard, they had to split up Wynn & Morgan for their own good. Their extracurricular activities were becoming a problem.
It was a disappointing trade because Morgan and Menke were 2 of my favorite players. It actually occurred on my 14th birthday so I didn't know too many profanities back then to utter. At least none as creative as I learned in high school. Morgan and Curt Blefary were the first two black and white players to room together on a regular basis in the major leagues, so they helped open some doors. Once I believe Morgan was on base and Blefary hit a double. Morgan was either thrown out at home or stayed at third. Blefary said "If I were black you would have scored". Morgan replied "If you were black it would have been a home run".
That is awesome. Thanks! BTW, I was a hall-of-fame profanity utterer long before reaching HS. I guess some of us are just more reprobate than others...
I suggest reading the book "Ball Four" by Jim Bouton if you've never read it. It is a chonicle of the 1969 season. He was traded to the Astros from Seattle during the season and it turned out to be the first time Houston ever played meaningful games in September. He has some funny stories and interesting tidibits about his time in Houston. And you get to see the song that Larry Dierker wrote, which includes the following lyrics: "Now Harry Walker is the one who manages the crew. He doesn't like it when we smoke and drink and fight and screw. But when we win our games each day What the f$#& can Harry say! It makes a fellow proud to be an Astro"
Screw Joe Morgan.. I hate that guy. He turned out to be a special player, but the way he showed he can become a bitter, venomous person in the way he acts towards the Astros makes me not care that he was not a bigger member of our team. Not only about the Astros, his constant hating on Biggio pisses me off to no end. I hate hearing Morgan spout off about how Biggio doesn't deserve the HOF as one of the best 2B of all time because he played some of it at C. Interesting that it gets him fired up.. I sense jealousy because Morgan also was a 2B. He's a tool.
I was 9. Menke was one of my Astro Buddies. I was sad. But Lee May became my Astro Buddy and I was happy. Then the Reds won a bunch and I was sad. By the time I was in High School, I was always wondering "Why the heck did we trade Joe?"
What is the nature of Morgan's resentment toward the Astros? Being traded? Not being appreciated? Being second fiddle to Toy Cannon?
