Tom Morgan – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Tom Morgan wrapped up his baseball career in 1963 when the Los Angeles Angels let him go during the first half of the season. The right-hander from El Monte, California, played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball, bouncing around five teams. Folks called him “Plowboy” because of his farming roots.

Morgan’s last season marked the end of a career that saw him win three World Series championships with the New York Yankees. He built a reputation as both a steady starter and a closer. His journey started on a California farm and took off in 1949 when the Yankees signed him as an amateur free agent. He made his debut on April 20, 1951.

His retirement story really shows how tough it can be for older players to stick around in such a competitive sport. Morgan’s stats—67 wins, 47 losses, and 64 saves—tell the story of a pitcher who kept finding ways to contribute, no matter the role. After his playing days, he became a pitching coach and helped shape talents like Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan and even assisted veteran Tommy John with his mechanics.

Early Life and Entry Into Baseball

Tom Morgan was born on May 20, 1930, in El Monte, California. He grew up there before he caught the attention of pro scouts.

The New York Yankees picked him up as an amateur free agent before the 1949 season. That move opened the door for what would turn into a solid 13-year major league career.

Childhood and Hometown

Tom Stephen Morgan spent his childhood in El Monte, California, during the 1930s and 1940s. The city, tucked in the San Gabriel Valley east of Los Angeles, gave young athletes like him plenty of room to grow.

Morgan went to El Monte High School, where he probably sharpened his baseball skills. Standing 6’2″ and weighing 195 pounds, he turned into a pretty intimidating right-handed pitcher in his teenage years.

People called him “Plowboy” because he worked as a farmer in California. That farming background shaped his work ethic and kept him grounded. The experience stayed with him throughout his baseball life.

His size and rural upbringing definitely set the stage for his future in pro baseball.

Path to Professional Baseball

The Yankees saw something in Morgan and signed him as an amateur free agent before the 1949 season. That was a big break for a young Californian hoping to join one of baseball’s legendary franchises.

At 18, Morgan jumped into the Yankees’ farm system in 1949. He spent time in the minors, working on his pitching and getting used to pro-level competition.

He moved up steadily through the Yankees’ organization. Coaches and scouts liked his potential as both a starter and reliever, which paid off later in his career.

Morgan made his big league debut on April 20, 1951, with the Yankees at just 20 years old. That day kicked off a 13-year career in the majors, running from 1951 to 1963.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Tom Morgan pitched 12 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1951 to 1963. He put up a 67-47 record with a 3.61 ERA in 443 games. Over his career, he played for six different teams and handled both starting and relief roles.

Debut and Early Years

Morgan broke into the majors on April 20, 1951, with the Yankees at age 20. Baseball Almanac notes the Yankees signed him before the 1949 season, right after he finished at El Monte High School.

He impressed in his rookie year, going 9-3 with a 3.68 ERA in 27 games. Morgan started 16 times and relieved in 11 others, showing some early flexibility.

In 1952, Morgan kept developing, going 5-4 with a better 3.07 ERA. Then he missed the entire 1953 season for military service.

He came back strong in 1954, posting an 11-5 record and a 3.34 ERA in 32 games. He started 17 times and threw seven complete games that year.

Teams Played For

Morgan’s career took him through six franchises in his 12 big league seasons.

New York Yankees (1951-1952, 1954-1956): He spent five seasons in the Bronx, starting 46 games and coming out of the bullpen in 110.

Kansas City Athletics (1957): Morgan mostly worked in relief, pitching in 46 games and starting 13.

Detroit Tigers (1958-1960): He spent three years in Detroit, mainly as a reliever but with a few starts sprinkled in.

Washington Senators (1960): Morgan joined Washington in a mid-season trade, but he didn’t stick around long.

Los Angeles Angels (1961-1963): He wrapped up his career with the Angels, becoming a key reliever for the new franchise.

Career Highlights

Morgan’s most unusual claim to fame came on June 30, 1954, when he tied a Major League record by hitting three batters in one inning against the Boston Red Sox.

His best year? That was 1961 with the Angels at age 31. Morgan put up a 2.36 ERA, picked up 10 saves in 59 games, and even got some MVP votes, finishing 21st.

With the Yankees, Morgan helped out on multiple championship teams. He notched 66 career saves and finished with a 1.309 WHIP.

Morgan’s ability to start or relieve made him valuable all the way through. He started 61 games and came out of the bullpen in 382 relief appearances, always finding a way to help as the game changed.

Tom Morgan’s 1963 Season and Retirement

Tom Morgan’s last year in the majors wasn’t easy. The veteran righty struggled in the first half of the 1963 season, and the Los Angeles Angels eventually released him.

Final Season Performance

Morgan’s 1963 season with the Angels turned out to be his toughest. He pitched in just 13 games, a big drop from earlier years.

At home, he pitched in five games and ended up with a rough 8.44 ERA over 5.1 innings. He gave up nine hits and five earned runs, allowing six runs in total.

On the road, he did a bit better in eight games, posting a 4.09 ERA over 11 innings. He allowed 11 hits and gave up five earned runs.

Morgan’s control really slipped that year. He walked six batters on the road, none at home. He also hit three batters—two at home, one away.

It was a tough way to go out, especially after his strong 1961-62 seasons when he and Art Fowler closed games for the Angels.

Retirement Announcement

The Angels released Morgan during the 1963 season after his struggles in the first half. That move ended his 12-year run in the majors.

Morgan finished with a career record of 67 wins and 47 losses in 443 games. He played for the Yankees, Athletics, Tigers, Senators, and Angels.

He put up a 3.61 ERA and struck out 364 hitters. Morgan also won two World Series titles with the Yankees.

The 1963 season closed the book on Morgan’s playing days, which started when the Yankees signed him as an amateur free agent in 1949.

Career Statistics and Playing Style

Tom Morgan built a solid 12-year career, going 67-47 with a 3.61 ERA in 443 games. He handled both starting and relief work, and his hitting was about what you’d expect from a pitcher back then.

Pitching Performance

Morgan’s numbers show he was a steady arm who could do a bit of everything. Over 1,023.1 innings, he posted a 67-47 record with a 3.61 ERA.

His best years came with the Yankees (1951-1956) and Angels (1961-1963). In 1961, he put up a 2.36 ERA with 10 saves and even got some MVP consideration.

Morgan struck out 364 batters and walked 300, ending up with a 1.21 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His control got a lot better in later years, especially with Detroit in 1958, when he walked only four batters in 62.2 innings.

He shined as a reliever, picking up 66 saves. Morgan appeared in 204 games as a closer or setup man, always ready to fill in wherever needed.

Batting Overview

Like most pitchers of his time, Morgan didn’t do much at the plate. The numbers show he rarely hit and focused on his pitching.

He didn’t pinch hit much, sticking to his job on the mound. His offensive stats stayed in the background, which was pretty normal for pitchers back then.

Morgan knew his main job was to get hitters out, not to swing the bat.

Fielding Accomplishments

Morgan’s fielding numbers show he had solid defensive skills on the mound. At 6’2″, he used his size and athleticism to handle his position well.

He didn’t commit many errors for a pitcher, and his fielding percentage lined up with league norms at the time.

Morgan showed good instincts, especially when covering first base or handling bunts. Quick reflexes helped him in relief, where one defensive play could be the difference.

His steady glove backed up his pitching, and his baseball smarts made him a complete pitcher—not just a guy who racked up strikeouts and saves.

Personal Life and Legacy

After baseball, Tom Morgan stayed close to the game as a coach and scout. People remembered “Plowboy” for his work ethic, and his coaching left a real mark on the sport.

Life Beyond Baseball

When Morgan retired in 1963, he didn’t leave baseball behind. He jumped into coaching and player development with the Angels.

Morgan worked as a minor league pitching instructor for the Angels in 1964 and 1965. He managed the Idaho Falls Angels in 1966, then went back to coaching.

He managed the San Jose Bees for part of 1969. In 1971, he scouted for the Yankees.

Major League Coaching Positions:

• Los Angeles Angels (1972-1974)
• San Diego Padres (1975)
• New York Yankees (1979)
• Los Angeles Angels (1981-1983)

Morgan’s coaching career stretched over two decades. He stayed active in the game into the early 1980s, showing just how much he loved baseball.

Influence on the Sport

Tom Morgan’s impact went beyond the box score. His nickname “Plowboy” stuck, thanks to his unique walk from the bullpen to the mound.

He set a pretty wild record for relievers. In 1958 with Detroit, Morgan pitched 49⅓ straight innings without walking a batter—no small feat.

Morgan’s experience as both a starter and reliever made him a valuable coach. He worked with several generations of players.

On June 30, 1954, Morgan tied a Major League record by hitting three batters in one inning against Boston. Not exactly the record you want, but memorable all the same.

Honors and Remembrances

Tom Morgan won two World Series rings with the Yankees in 1951 and 1956. He was also part of the 1952 championship team, but missed that Series while serving in the military.

Morgan passed away on January 13, 1987, in Anaheim, California. He was only 56.

His career stats: 67 wins, 47 losses, and 64 saves in 443 games. He played for five teams over 13 seasons.

The baseball world hasn’t forgotten Morgan. His long service as a coach and instructor showed his dedication to helping the next generation, long after his last pitch.

References and Notable Sources

Baseball-Reference.com lists Tom Morgan’s career stats and biographical info. You can find pretty much everything about his 12-season run from 1951 to 1963 there.

Wikipedia goes into detail about Morgan’s life. It mentions his birth on May 20, 1930, in El Monte, California, and his death on January 13, 1987. They also talk about his nickname, “Plowboy,” and how he worked as a farmer.

Baseball Almanac breaks down Morgan’s stats in depth. You’ll find his 1963 pitching logs and totals from all five teams he played with in the majors.

The Baseball Cube shares player stats and background info. They include details about Morgan’s draft results, trades, and what he earned during his career.

Find a Grave Memorial covers Morgan’s personal details and career highlights. The site confirms he pitched right-handed and lists all his teams, from the New York Yankees to the California Angels.

StatsCrew.com digs into the numbers from Morgan’s 443-game career. They show his 67-47 win-loss record and how he did with different teams.

BR Bullpen on Baseball-Reference adds more context about Morgan’s career. They make sure to point out he’s not to be confused with others in baseball with the same name.

Los Angeles Times archives include quotes from Nolan Ryan about Morgan’s impact as a pitching coach. These articles give a peek into what Morgan did for baseball after his playing days.