Joe Morgan

  (12:00 PM)

It would be impossible to record black history without recording what baseball has contributed. From the Negro Leagues to Jackie Robinson breaking of the color barrier, baseball has contributed a lot towards our society moving forward together.

David (Florida)

Hey Joe!Who do you think is the best improved team this year?

Joe Morgan

  (12:02 PM)

I guess you would have to say the Giants in the National League because they have made the most moves. If their moves work out or not, we'll have to wait and see. In the American League I'll say Seattle. On paper both teams did a good job of improving themselves.

victor ( monroe,la)

what are the cubs chances on winning the n.l.central this year?and do you think aramis ramirez will remain in chicago?

Joe Morgan

  (12:03 PM)

I think the Cubs chances are pretty good in that they have a lot of talent but they always seem to find a way to under achieve. Until they get over that, it's always a mystery to see what they will do. I especially like their starting pitchers.

Chris Fiegler (Latham,NY)

Between Joba Chamberlain & Philip Hughes who do you think will be the 5th starter for the New York Yankees?

Joe Morgan

  (12:04 PM)

I think Hughes will be the fifth starter. Chamberlain is a late inning set up man and maybe a future closer.

alex (dc)

Joe how long till my nats can make a run for a wild card considering the moves we have made

Joe Morgan

  (12:06 PM)

I think they defiantly improved their team and they do have some veterans like Ivan Rodriquez that can lead this team. Like everyone else, we're waiting to see what Strasburg can do. I defiantly think they have an improved team this season.

Dave (Boston)

Joe, you were in the majors when Tommie Smith and John Carlos made their statement in the 1968 Olympics. As an athlete, what did that gesture mean to you?

Joe Morgan

  (12:11 PM)

That's a great question! What it meant to me is that athletes understood that just because they were athletes that they weren't speared those indignities that other African Americans went through. The reaction by the Olympic Committee showed me that there was prejudice there as well. They kicked them out of the Olympic Village stating that the Olympics were no place for those kinds of political actions. In my opinion, the Olympics have always been a platform for political actions going back to Jesse Owens. Tommie and John have always been and will always be my idols because they stood up for what they believed in.

Steve (Washington)

Do you think athletes, regardless of color, are vocal enough about societal issues?

Joe Morgan

  (12:13 PM)

That's a difficult question for me to answer because each athlete needs to look inside themselves to see which path they what to take. You're a citizen of this country first and an athlete second. Being an athlete is only a short term job where as being a citizen is a long term job. You have to ask yourself, "do I want to make a difference"?

eamonn (napa, ca)

How big an impact do you think Brad Penny will have in the Cardinals rotation this year?

Joe Morgan

  (12:15 PM)

The fact that they have Wainwright and Carpenter takes a lot of pressure off of Penny. He's always had the stuff to be a No. 1 pitcher but now all he has to to is be a No. 3 pitcher. Playing with Wainwright and Carpenter will help him.

Joe Morgan

  (12:18 PM)

I would like to end this chat with one of my favorite quotes. "A people without a knowledge of their history is like a tree without roots". All this is saying is that African Americans should really think about our ancestors and what they had to endure in order for us to be where we are at today. Thanks for taking the time out to chat.