Joe Morgan, the former Boston manager who inspired a magical in-season turnaround of its 1988 team, died Saturday, the Red Sox announced.
He was 95.
Morgan replaced John McNamara at the All-Star break in 1988, with Boston 43-42 and well back in the American League East race. Morgan, serving as the interim manager, guided the Red Sox to wins in his first 12 games and 19 of his first 20 overall. They went on to win the AL East and reach the AL Championship Series.
The second-half run was famously known as "Morgan Magic," one of the greatest turnarounds in Boston's long history.
"Joe Morgan holds a special place in Red Sox history," Red Sox owner John Henry said. "When he took over in 1988, he changed the course of a season and created one of the most memorable chapters in the history of this club. The two division titles that followed only strengthened a bond with Red Sox fans that endured for the rest of his life."
Added Red Sox president/CEO Sam Kennedy: "Joe Morgan managed the Red Sox during some of my most formative years as a fan. Joe made us believe, and when you experience that as a kid, it stays with you. I was fortunate enough to get to know him later in life and found an even better person than the baseball man I had admired. I will miss him deeply."
Morgan, who grew up in nearby Walpole, Massachusetts, led the Red Sox to another division title in 1990 and remained as manager of the team through 1991, finishing 301-262. It was his only big league managerial stint.
He was with the Red Sox organization for 18 years, serving a variety of roles, and was part of its 2006 Hall of Fame class.
"He was a big part of my life and will be missed," Hall of Fame third baseman Wade Boggs said in a statement, according to MLB.com. "Not only in Triple-A, but in the big leagues, too. I don't think he got enough credit for how baseball-smart he was. He played baseball hunches instead of statistics. He will always be one of my favorites."
Morgan, an infielder, also played 88 games in the majors, with stints with the Milwaukee Braves, Kansas City Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies (1960), Cleveland (1960-61), and St. Louis Cardinals (1964).