I grew up idolizing my Cincinnati Reds and through the 1970’s they were the greatest team in Major League Baseball. Their amazing second baseman, Joe Morgan, passed away yesterday. He was a powerful hitter for what was a smaller than standard sized player. He was a talented position player at second base. Best of all he was both a brilliant base stealer and a formidable stopper of stolen bases while on defense.

Best of all he was a very nice man and one of the few Big Red Machine players I got to meet. While I was managing the Jazz at Lincoln Center facility he was in town while calling a game in his long running job on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. One of my colleagues clued me in that they had a reservation for him one night at Dizzy’s Club (because he knew I was such a Reds fan). I was there to welcome him personally. He was happy to meet a Reds fan, we chatted and he let me hold his Hall of Fame ring he happened to be wearing. It was a thrill to meet him. He will be missed. Go Reds!

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