No video
Jim Morris MLB Debut, Highlights, & Pitching Mechanics
Jim Morris, who was depicted in the movie "The Rookie", made his Major League debut with Tampa Bay at 35 years-old after working as a high school teacher and baseball coach.
0:00 Jim Morris makes MLB debut | 9/18/1999
3:55 Throws scoreless 8th inning in second MLB appearance | 9/20/1999
5:18 Throws scoreless 5th inning against the Yankees | 10/3/1999
6:26 Throws 1.1 scoreless innings while striking out 3 batters | 4/12/2000
7:16 Jim Morris Pitching Mechanics
Пікірлер: 349
Andy Reid lookalike?
@stephenrice5938
10 ай бұрын
Minus 600 lbs.
@sangreesraro3996
4 ай бұрын
Discount aisle boomer wells
@nomadbrad6391
2 ай бұрын
Or David Wells lookalike :-)
His autobiography is well worth the read, sure his MLB career was pretty short in the end but he did something many people only dream of.
@beachmasterX
2 жыл бұрын
His is one of the few autobiographies that I've read more than one time.
@nickcurran3105
2 жыл бұрын
Even if he only faced that one batter Royce Clayton it would have been a tremendous story.
@s.marshian8455
2 жыл бұрын
@@nickcurran3105 True, it’s insane what he did if you truly think about it.
@kbob9625
3 ай бұрын
He made it to the big show. That in and of itself is a crazy accomplishment. I should grab his book.
@DJsaxby16
2 ай бұрын
And it’s a great story too, I mean being a science teacher and baseball coach and making it to the big leagues all within the span of a few months? How can anyone not love his story?
I can't get tired of this story, the movie is great. When he struck out Royce for his first Major League strikeout, I wouldn't have blamed him for being more animated. He acted like he'd been there his whole career. Class act.
@EdsterIII
2 жыл бұрын
Can you imagine how he felt? As you said if he did a huge fist 👊 punch into the air I wouldn't blame him, but he was as professional as a seasoned veteran. Amazing moment. Truly something few people ever experience.
@red23rd
11 ай бұрын
Yep act like veteran, well he was a teacher and a coach after all, I believe he was a very good one. Very glad he put a good example for young kids especially his former students
Can you imagine, you get your shot, come in and strike out Royce Clayton? Imagine his classroom of kids cheering on their teacher? That's a epic story in itself. Truly shows that if you have the heart and are willing to give it your ALL, you might, might just get a chance to shine. Even though his career wasn't huge, this is a moment he'll never ever forget! Congratulations to him, and what an inspiration!👏 God Bless this 🙏 man, his family, his class, and everyone who tries to make a dream come true!
@ultimatejoecolton
2 жыл бұрын
There is a movie
@bluesfan6862
2 жыл бұрын
That’s the dream bro. Have a moment to shine in the Bigs, and then go back home to your wife and kids as the home town hero. Awesome story
The movie Rookie did not make much of an attempt to determine how the once minor leaguer Morris who threw 87 mph (1983-1989) could 10 years later as a high school coach start throwing 95-98 mph. I contacted Jim Morris with my answer based in physics after I researched what he did after leaving baseball due to several arm injuries in 1989. In the early 1990s, he attended Angelo State University where in addition to being a student, he became an All-America punter (not QB) on the division-II football team. That's how I solved the problem: I went back to review his now major league pitching mechanics and I immediately saw the powerful hip-rotation of a punter. This is where the extra 10 mph came from. Most people don't know this, but the only punter in the NFL HOF Ray Guy was an all-around athlete who back when he played baseball threw 98 mph. Jim Morris developed tremendous hip power while punting, which he then brought to the mound. If you watch the video you will see what I mean as he turns with great power toward the plate. More on Ray Guy and baseball: www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Ray_Guy
@spcooper94
2 жыл бұрын
I appreciate your take & that's a very interesting theory on how Jim Morris was able to throw 98 MPH at 35 but not be able to crack 90 MPH in his 20's. I also would like know how he was able to accomplish this jump in velocity after doctors had told him he would never be able to pitch again due to his injuries. As a former pitcher who blew out my arm in college, this fascinates me. Also, he doesn't look to get much hip to shoulder separation. It may seem like he does at first glance because when his foot lands his shoulder looks pretty far back but when his back leg starts rotating until his hips start facing home plate, there seems to be very little separation in my opinion. But maybe you were referring to something different in noting his "hip power". Also, he doesn't get much front knee extension either. It's amazing he threw so hard... It truly is
@drbonesshow1
2 жыл бұрын
@@spcooper94Yes, I saw these video clips a few years ago when a writer asked me about Jim Morris (How did he do it?). After my analysis using especially this first clip mark 7:20 (I first saw in a movie review) I contacted Jim Morris (KZread) to tell him. He was more inclined to think that his transformation was an act of God. We had a nice discussion, but I'm sure that I failed to convince him. BTW: after the movie his life went into a tail-spin from which he has begun to recover. My research into sports mechanics combines what I know about physics in connection with human biomechanics and the experiences that I've had (and continue to do so even at age 60) with throwing ans swing stuff. My work also connects the various things I've thrown and swung at a high level: (1) Baseball: threw 95 mph off the mound and threw a ball over 400 feet at the Orange Bowl (Miami) to win $500 (1988). (2) Football: threw 75 yard passes in a brief high school experience (getting hit wasn't for me) on a team which had 3 future NFL players (e.g., Tim Green) and (3) Tennis: hit a 140 mph tennis serve (NY Times 2018). So I might have a unique and different perspective from what instructors are teaching today. As I suggested to a small group of coaches at demonstration I gave recently: a good deal of the information in sports mechanics is mistaken information, which often has a simple physics explanation. However, few people step up to the plate, so to speak, to clarify these mistakes. I’m one of the few individuals who will take a swing at these mistakes; having skills both in swinging and throwing stuff and the physics behind it as The Nutty Professor of Sports. It is my goal to encourage others to step up to the plate in their sport (perhaps after having learned something new to them from my research) and question what they teach to their players/students. It was Einstein who said of his field: Never stop questioning.
@HueyPPLong
2 жыл бұрын
Hate to be the one to say it but how about steroids too? It was the era after all.
@spcooper94
2 жыл бұрын
@@HueyPPLong Haha, if I had seen this comment years ago my first thought would be that there's no way he could have taken steroids because his body still looked like he was still a high school teacher when he made it to the big leagues... But if Bartolo Colon was caught for steroids looking the way he did then anything is possible I guess. ∙ Although, I may not quite be as qualified as Dr. Mueller here to answer your question, I have been studying the physics of pitching since I was in elementary school and have continued to learn as much as I can about pitching ever since and for about the past 15 years. ∙ Maybe Dr. Mueller can back me up on my theory about how steroids effect a pitcher's velocity but in my opinion, I believe that steroids may help a pitcher maintain his velocity as he ages (take Roger Clemens for example) but not so much in helping him improve his velocity. Even during the steroid era, we have never seen a pitcher like Jacob deGrom at this point continue to increase his velo. ∙ It really hasn't been until the last 5-10 years or so with the rise of this Driveline Baseball led Age of Learned Velocity where so many advancements have been made that so many pitchers are being taught to throw faster, even later in their careers.
@EdsterIII
2 жыл бұрын
@@HueyPPLong Maybe he just worked hard? Why does there always have to be some kind of chemical involved. This world ALWAYS has to see the one possible negative and exploit it. My point is people who see this story an got inspired by it, then sees a "accusation" of steroids and poof they start the disbelief discussion and pretty soon with no evidence, the man is being lynched by social media. Now I'm NOT saying you did this. Your point wasn't posed as a shot, but society now always wants to show everyone as a failure or a cheat. I miss the 70's when all this social justice and social media crap didn't exist!
This dude is and should be an inspiration for everybody. It’s never too late to fulfill your dreams. As long as you want it, you can get it.
It was perfect, debut game back in Texas. I was always a huge ranger fan, but I think we were all rooting for him that day. What a great story.
By far one of my favorite baseball movies. I love this story and I have always wanted to see some real footage of Jim Morrison pitching. Thank you for uploading this gem. He had good stuff too, he struck out the Big Hurt-Frank Thomas of the White Sox who is a Hall of famer. In that year Frank was on his game so that wasn't a mercy strikeout.
@jamesrobertsonrobertson5690
2 жыл бұрын
I agree, this is fantastic and inspiring!!
@richardsylvanus2717
2 жыл бұрын
Jim Morrison sang for the Doors in the late 60s
@jroc6354
2 жыл бұрын
Frank was always on. It says a lot, amazing story . He said the movie was pretty accurate about how it lined with everything for real
@joeclayton2121
Жыл бұрын
Jim Morrison died in 1971
@stuartbaron418
Жыл бұрын
@@richardsylvanus2717Which is completely irrelevant.
To all those commenting on his age and how old he looks, try teaching high school science for ten years…
@red23rd
11 ай бұрын
Good point, yeah haha, man I remember my self and friends in highschool now haha
@mattfortheguinn4037
10 ай бұрын
Ha! Facts!!
@Nikko170
5 ай бұрын
Teaching high school....thats the easiest job out there.
@sntstafford
4 ай бұрын
@@Nikko170Let me know when you have the opportunity to teach high school, then let us know ten years later on how easy it is.
@tigermike74
4 ай бұрын
For all that criticizing him, how many have made it to MLB.
One of the all-time great baseball stories.
And what makes it even better is hearing the great Tom Grieve, Bill Jones, and Eric Nadel call the debut. And they're Rangers broadcasters. Normally you'd expect them to be "homers"...but to hear their enthusiasm when he struck out Clayton...pretty cool!
I grew up with Jimmy in Brownwood. I batted against him many times in summer leagues . He was throwing in the 90/s as a 16 year old. He was also a pretty good football player on our state championship team ... He kicked a 50 yd field goal I remember ...... and yeah, I think I hit him a few times and he got me a few but he was throwing smoke way back in 1980
@pbsimmons2303
2 жыл бұрын
Did you stroke it to his pitching
this dude had 13 strikeouts in 15 innings for his career that's pretty crazy
@mrstifler8987
Жыл бұрын
It’s terrible Lmao.
@frecklefart909
Жыл бұрын
@@mrstifler8987Better than what you've ever achieved 😂😂
@mrstifler8987
Жыл бұрын
@@frecklefart909 we’ll see. I’m on the Washington National minor league team. How much you wanna bet I’ll do better than this goofball. Put your money where your mouth is
@bandito4492
Жыл бұрын
@@mrstifler8987 buddy he was 35 with 5 shoulder surgerys at that time. that’s literally impossible for a lot of people at his age. idk why u think that’s terrible i bet u can’t touch ur feet with that gut in the way.
@mrstifler8987
Жыл бұрын
@@bandito4492 I guarantee I’m in better shape than anyone in this comment section. Including you. Nobody is saying his story isn’t impressive. It is. But 13 K’s in 15 innings is not a stat to go crazy about. Let’s be real.
Wow, he was facing Jim Edmonds and Mo Vaughn in the Angels game. He got them both on fly outs to center field. And then he got Tim Salmon He then struck out a rookie Alfonso Soriano of the Yankees He struck out Frank Thomas
@alwillk
Жыл бұрын
He also gave up bombs to Roberto alomar and Brian McRae. And Omar vizquel had 4 rbi vs him.
All in all he was an OK pitcher. His numbers bear that out. But he did have the skills. Probably needed some honing of them with a pro pitching coach. Used primarily in mop up duty. However, he did what he thought was the impossible and after years out of the game was able to finally make it. 13 strikeouts in 15 innings is pretty impressive and watching this video he had a nasty slider. As the commentator put it "Steve Carlton like". His faults seem to be control. He had 9 walks in those 15 innings but kudos in making it finally. Sadly he developed arm trouble and only pitched in 21 games. But he made it. No one can take that away from him.
He is the one guy who was telling the truth when he said "I could have been on the majors"
It really just shows you that it's NEVER to late to live your dreams
Morris was also a all american punter as well in high school. But he loved baseball. If he never had injuries i believe he would have had a long career in baseball. Maybe pitching in the low 90s to 95. He had a wicked slider and his control was exceptional. Big man too. 6'3" 235.
Actually a chemistry teacher-
"How can you not be romantic about baseball"
Watching this movie right now. Too good. What a freaking story this is!!
Jim Morris story was very cool. He never gave up and finally made is debut at 35 he showed hard work always pays off well done
I remember following the story as it unfolded during the season. I had the thought that it would make a great movie. Loved the movie.
What a great story! It’s the American Dream! I was really happy for him!
My goodness I watched The Rookie for the first time in 2012 and was hoping somebody would finally post the actual debut itself! Thank you for this! How’d you find the footage?
Back in 1999, 35 year old baseball players looked and moved like they were in their 50’s.
@HT-sm9dm
2 жыл бұрын
This is actually the only era where adults look and act like children. So this is the outlier not Jim Morris’ era. We’re in the literal weirdest era of any species on probably any planet lol. Real creepy.
@justfacts1673
2 жыл бұрын
Better average, less strikeouts, bunted when need to.
@tylermccann848
2 жыл бұрын
It's an illusion
@bluesfan6862
2 жыл бұрын
Like someone else says, our current gen is just weird. You look at HS kids from Jim’s time and they look 25. Kids in HS today look 11. Kids are babied(most don’t work until they’re in college now), hormonal issues, and mental health issues. Honestly this generation is sad.
@deadarmd
2 жыл бұрын
He wasn't a pro athlete lol. He was a teacher for years haha
I grew up on baseball movies , the rookie was one of the ones that inspired me the most
@spcooper94
2 жыл бұрын
Same!!
Some of the best jerseys in 1999
This is crazy. They should make a movie out of this
@anastyles2564
Жыл бұрын
There is, is called The Rookie.
@bobbowie9350
Жыл бұрын
Lol
1999 Announcer: "Wow, he throws 95." 2023 Announcer: "He only throws 95, but with late movement."
@SynsityGW
Жыл бұрын
lol right. verlander out there at age 40 hits 95 routinely. degrom at 34, if he threw a 95 mph fastball people would be saying "uh oh what's wrong with degrom now?"
@robloxvids2233
Жыл бұрын
@SynsityGW Finding lefties that threw 95+ back then was not easy. Randy Johnson and Billy Wagner could. One is in the HOF and the other is borderline. I'm sure there were others I'm missing but a lefty throwing this kinda heat back then was super rare.
Talk about following your heart. I love it.
@ 2:52 mark... Announcer..."Jim Morris in his major league debrew." He wanted to buy Morris a beer. 🤣🍺
I loved the movie, "The Rookie".
The old Tampa Bay logo was 🔥
@user-sb2iu2qp3t
4 ай бұрын
AcEs, before you people who lack a higher power also lack (as do I) knowledge of man's rules , know they do not know em either proble) I sat this knowing GOD'S fifteen oops ten commandments. Best wishes rudi
_"Morris... you're in!"_
@teecee2949
2 жыл бұрын
GARDENHOSER!
@wmst5065
2 жыл бұрын
@@teecee2949 "What did he call me?"
still one of my favorite baseball stories
The Rookie is such a beautiful movie for baseball lovers
Wonderful story
@noeltaylor3594
2 жыл бұрын
I remember watching that game and never forgot how Royce Clayton seemed to have no clue or a chance.
After four arm surgeries, it's amazing he had anything left. How about striking out Hall Of Famer Frank Thomas? A great story.
As a 33 year old, it's hard for me to believe this dude is 35 in this video
@FootballClubDavid_WI_USA
2 жыл бұрын
I'm 39 and look much younger than he does.
@HT-sm9dm
2 жыл бұрын
Dude y’all grew up in an era where adults have zero responsibilities until they hit maybe their 40s or even 50s. Jim Morris grew up when people had to become serious adults by the age of 21-22.
@dannyc.2039
2 жыл бұрын
@@HT-sm9dm nobody asked
@GeoJesse
Жыл бұрын
I’m 30 and I can’t imagine looking like this in 5 years 😂😂😂 Although the mustache probably ages him a bit and I can grow a pretty good one. Maybe when I’m 35 I’ll try it out and see what I look like 😂😂😂
@fatkat311
Жыл бұрын
35 or 55?
A great story about perseverance
I think I got emo like 2 times during this video lol!!! The inspiration and joy those kids must have felt. Amazing! Big salute!!
Amazing story, cheers from the DR.
Way cool! Love this story!
Wow that’s pretty crazy and awesome he tried out in June wasn’t even an off-season pick, and then a couple months later he’s making his debut. Salute.
great story, what an inspiration! 💚
Dreams can come true.
The only one science teacher in the world can do this!
I remember when this guy was called up, I was 21 years old and he seemed ancient, lol. Now I’m nearly 46 years old, and 35 sounds pretty young to me, ha ha ha!!
What an amazing story
What a feel good moment!
As a former baseball player and an old man now, I love this story
Love his story and the movie.
tremendous ... great movie, too.
Brilliant stuff. Respect from the UK.
@spcooper94
Жыл бұрын
Thanks! Much love from the U.S.
Loved this story!
Really awesome 👏
It's great even for just a moment in time if you can be one of the ones fortunate to follow your dreams.
Left handed, 95mph, can throw some stirkes Ofcourse u can play in big league!
Thanks for making this
Not sure whats better lol? Making your major league debut at 35 or having Dennis Quaid play you in a movie OMG!
대단한 사람이네.. 많은 나이에도.. 멋진 친구.. 그것도 학교 선생님이었다니..대단하다..
But Jim did play Minor League Baseball before he became Teacher. Arm injury stopped him, but it heeled over time and he threw harder.
Thanks Jim, and Coop😊
He's fantastic!
The real highlight of the rookie.
Such a great story... Damn... nostalgia... hearing Physioc and Hudler calling Angel games...
Still one of the toughest jersey/hat combos in baseball history
I know him personally and he is an amazing man and father
@mtsflorida
4 ай бұрын
My Dad also I played pro baseball before I was born. He was proud I took after him but my first tind at bat with a major league pitcher Mat Keough and Wilkins was a rough time. But my happiest day was getting called up after the military to be on the Florida HP team at 50! Don't f stop following your dreams.
The Rookie is now free on KZread movies. Great flick if you’ve never seen it.
The movie is a classic.
Cant imagine Dennis Quaid having a mustache in The Rookie.
Wow he struck out Royce Clayton for his First MLB Strikeout🏆✅
35 yrs old my ass! I’m 32 years old and that man looks like he can be my uncle
What an absolutely incredibly story! God is good all the time! Proof that great things can happen all the time, despite the odds and what the world says!
@Smllc22318
2 жыл бұрын
Except for when those child soldiers in Liberia get their arms chopped off but yeah let’s not bring that up right
@Jondsmusic
2 жыл бұрын
@@Smllc22318 what the heck does that hade to do with what we’re discussing? Kind or rude and random don’t you think? Boy you must be a lot of fun at parties!
@IHateNicolasCage
2 жыл бұрын
@@Smllc22318 There’s always one….. 🤦♂️
@agheoane
Жыл бұрын
@@Smllc22318 god couldn't help all those dying kids, he has sports to take care of
They need to make a movie about this.
@DiegoGonzalez-tp4lt
2 жыл бұрын
🤦♂️
@thomasdickey1397
2 жыл бұрын
Um they did
@MMAALL
2 жыл бұрын
@@thomasdickey1397 I know. It was a joke.
@LostBeagle
2 жыл бұрын
They did. You just watched it
I can only imagine how his career would have been if he wasn’t injury and gotten to the bigs in his 20’s
Such a stretch but, this gives me hope as a 28 year old who hasn't played since College.
What a great story.
Us old guys are so GOOD..
He looked 55
Great story. Definition of perseverance.
@kellyford5903
2 жыл бұрын
So true!! Definitely NOT something ya see much these days, right?! ‘Course, in fairness, May in fact be SO MANY out there working their azzzzzez off…just doesn’t make “the news”. Gives me hope if there is 😎
Awesome story
Thank you for this video
This is why baseball is so great. If you still got the goods,you still have a chance...... a 35yr old is never gonna get a wiff of the NFL. Does a high school hoops coach make a NBA roster? NFW.
@miked8740
2 жыл бұрын
Only comparable scenario is the emergency backup goalie in the NHL. A few guys have come in and done it, most notably David Ayers versus Toronto.
@DryHeaveSteve
2 жыл бұрын
@@miked8740 point taken. Made me go back and watch the highlights. Imagine, show up with your gear, wolf down a cheeseburger and enjoy the free tickets...9 times outta 10 nothing happens and you go home. Awesome.
35 was a different look back then. LOL shout out to Jim Morris
Respect
I remember when this happened. I thought he seemed so old. Now I’m the old one.
Remember that pitches were measured ten feet in front of home plate then, not out the hand, that gentleman would be hitting 100-102 the way pitch velocity is measured today.
@Il_Exile_lI
2 жыл бұрын
MLB had switched the Stalker radar system in the 1990s, which measured closer to the hand than previous systems used in the 1980s and earlier. It still wasn't measuring quite as close to the release point as modern statcast measurements, but it was a lot closer than "10 feet in front of home plate." Radar measurements from the late 90s are no more than 2-3 mph lower than if they measured today. So, 95-96 mph in 1998 would be like 97-99 if measured today, not 102.
@johnbeavers6497
2 жыл бұрын
@@Il_Exile_lI okay, he still with out any doubt threw harder than what the guns at the time registered, compared to how Velo is measured now. I'd have to really investigate it, but I think most stadiums at that time we're still using older technology, maybe not 🤷🏻♂️ honestly I don't really care, dudes old ass was throwing as hard as all the inflated numbers we see today.
@spcooper94
2 жыл бұрын
According to this Article written by "Tangotiger" who works for MLB's Statcast, pitches were measured from about 50 feet from home plate prior to 2017: tangotiger.com/index.php/site/article/pitch-velocity-new-measurement-process-new-data-points
@spcooper94
2 жыл бұрын
This is also another good article about the change in radar gun speeds www.baseballamerica.com/stories/the-measure-of-a-fastball-has-changed-over-the-years/
@johnbeavers6497
2 жыл бұрын
@@spcooper94 so Jimmy's old ass was crowding 100 real hard LoL.
He faces Royce Clayton first in the movie as well.
@arthurjackson8302
2 жыл бұрын
That's because the movie is trying to make it realistic.
@ThatBaseballGuy13
2 жыл бұрын
No $hit Sherlock
@arthurjackson8302
2 жыл бұрын
@@ThatBaseballGuy13 A lot of people think it's the actual Royce Clayton in the movie.
@TheBatugan77
2 жыл бұрын
So he rolled Royce? 😀😉😆
@trentbrodish9152
Жыл бұрын
Wow who would have guessed
What an awesome story. Great movie too.
IMHO if you are fan of baseball, you gotta love this story!
Would be cool if they edited in the same ball sound from the movie the Rookie. Hear that baby whistle
Jim Morris !
This dude is a year older than me and looks like he could be my grandfather.
Me turning 34 this year kinda offended at 35 being considered old 😂
My high school teammate was on this Rays team.
I remember the movie based on his baseball comeback.
@spcooper94
Жыл бұрын
Great movie!
@cmqguy
Жыл бұрын
@@spcooper94 yes it was a great movie for sure. It was called the rookie.
@spcooper94
Жыл бұрын
@@cmqguy The Rookie is my all-time favorite sports movie right there 💯!
Former top mlb draft pick.
I didn't notice the first time I saw this video. He struck out the Big Hurt.