Joe Morgan

  (10:44 AM)

Hello everyone. I am here and ready to go!

Travis Cammilleri (Candia, NH)

Joe, how long do you think it will be before the Mets begin their fire sale? Boston sure could use Stanton, Weathers or Benitez!!!

Joe Morgan

  (10:45 AM)

Well, they are in a very difficult situation. There are not a lot of players they can get rid of. They all have high salaries. They are also not playing very well. The fire sale for them will be difficult.

Adam (Ottawa, Canada)

Hi Joe, What is going on with the A's in 1 run ball games? Last year they seemed to win the majority of them, and this year can't seem to win any. Is their bullpen just not that good? Or is it lack of offensive production from their star players when it counts? Who's your pick to win it all this season?

Joe Morgan

  (10:46 AM)

I remember last year Tejada was the MVP and he had a great percentage with runners in scoring position. He is off to a slow start and that probably contributes to losing the 1 run games. I think it's more the offense.

Nick (Greensboro, NC)

HEY Joe. Enjoy your work. In your opinion do you see batters in the future still trying to hug the plate? Or do you see them backing off a little? Thanks.

Joe Morgan

  (10:47 AM)

There is no reason for them to back off. Pitchers don't pitch inside much anymore. With the protection they get from the umps, with all the warnings, I don't see any of that changing.

Matt (Bradenton, FL)

For some reason, Lou Piniella started batting Rocco Baldelli fourth behind Aubrey Huff this week. This is a reversal of their usual positions. Why would you ever want to bat your best hitter for average behind your best home run hitter? I don't understand why he made this swap -- and it doesn't seem to be working, as the Rays lost all three games against Texas.

Joe Morgan

  (10:48 AM)

He's trying to get more production out of his HR hitter. He wants to have a good hitter behind him so Huff will get some more pitches to see. He's saying that Baldelli doesn't need as much help to get the job done.

Nick (San Diego)

Hey Joe, is there anything better than broadcasting a Red Sox-Yankees game with Curt Goudy? That was terrific! Where does it rank on your list of most memorable achievements?

Joe Morgan

  (10:49 AM)

It ranks high on my list of accomplishments, esp. as a broadcaster. It was very enjoyable for me. When I played, he was the voice of the game during that era. I just loved his style of broadcasting. He was always fair to everyone. It was a treat to be in the booth with him.

Jeff (Los Altos)

Joe, what is the most over rated statistic in baseball?

Joe Morgan

  (10:50 AM)

Batting average. If you hit .300 they say you are a great hitter. That means you are making 7 outs out of 10 and if you make those outs with runners in scoring position, you are not a good hitter.

Scott (Toledo)

Bud Selig did lees than well with Bob Costes this week on HBO. How important is it for the next Commissioner to do well in the media and Public appearances? What are the chances of anyone outside baseball ever serving in this position?

Joe Morgan

  (10:51 AM)

One of the things that makes the NBA and NFL great is that they are media friendly. Their commissioners lead the way. The difference is Bud is straight honest, and not necessarily a politician or media darling.

wayne (new yawk)

Joe, I understand that players sometimes pick which team they want to go into the HoF for greedy reasons, but I think players should really be able to at least speak to a committee or something about the reasons they want the team they want to be picked. On that note, I think Roger has earned the right to choose whichever team he wants to go into the HoF. It doesn't hurt for me that he wants to go in as a New York Yankee! What are your thoughts?

Joe Morgan

  (10:53 AM)

The HOF is a museum which chronologically follows a players career. Wade Boggs reportedly signed a contract with the Devil Rays to go in as a Devil Ray and he should be allowed to do that. There has to be some rhyme or reason and at this point, the HOF, which is a museum, does it without any emotion. If you get mad at an organization and decide to not honor them, then what? The point is, it is being done properly.

Joe Morgan

  (10:54 AM)

I didn't have a choice myself. I accomplished more with the Reds and that is how they put me in. They did not ask me if I wanted to go in as an Astro but they were my first team. I played 8 years with each team.

Josh (US Army in Korea)

Hey Joe, Given the Japanese position players that are starting to jump to the Majors, what kind of numbers do you think a Japanese player will need to put up to be considered for the Hall of Fame, given the length of their contracts with the Japanese teams? And do you think that the voters will consider their combined accomplishments in both the majors and Japan (ie, what they might have accomplish if all of the time was in MLB) when voting?

Joe Morgan

  (10:55 AM)

They will only consider their accomplishments in MLB. It will be tough to get in because they spend half their careers there and half here. That said, the Veteran's Committee could put someone in.

Don (Mtn. View, CA)

Joe, Now that Bernie Williams is out 4-6 weeks, Nick Johnson is out, Karsay will not return this year, do the Yankees need to make some moves?

Joe Morgan

  (10:56 AM)

Injuries are part of the game, that is why when someone asked me earlier if they would win 120 games, I said it was too early to say. Sometimes you have to ride with the injuries for awhile. If it looks like it will be longer, then you make moves. I think it is still a little too early.

CBeatty (Denver)

Joe, when your commentating a game, are you watching the field or the t.v, or both? Did the pitch calls look as "off" to you Wed. night (Sox-Yanks) as they did from my livingroom? Thanks, chief.

Joe Morgan

  (10:58 AM)

I watch the field most of the time, but I do sometimes watch both. I don't get into pitch calls. One of my pet peeves is announcers saying curveball away. He is supposed to say ball or strike. It's the analysts job to say those things.

Al Morgan: Little Rock, AR

Good morning Joe! I really appreciate your keen insight and the wisdom that you possess in the game of Baseball. Are the Braves really as good as their record indicates, or are they just playing over their heads right now? They have really rebounded from the horrible start this season. Will they be the team to beat in the NL East?

Joe Morgan

  (10:59 AM)

I think they are a good team. During the regular season, if you are good, you will have hot streaks. They have had one recently. I don't know if they are as good as their record, because I don't think their pitching is a strong in years past.

Mark Hageman, Cincinnati, Ohio

Hi Joe. You're probably aware that the Reds' Joe Nuxhall is nearing retirement. I would like to go on the record as stating that my first pick for his replacement would be... Joe Morgan!

Joe Morgan

  (11:00 AM)

Thanks for the compliment. But I'm a TV broadcaster, not radio. That means I don't want to work everyday!! I have the second best job already .. next to being a player.

Joey, Nj

Do you think the Expos are going to be playing elsewhere next year, where do you think they could be playing, could it be Oregon possibly?

Joe Morgan

  (11:01 AM)

I've seen Oregon and Washington mentioned as well as Northern Virginia. I don't think MLB has made a decision yet. I've read they may stay in Montreal and split time in Puerto Rico again.

Joe Morgan

  (11:01 AM)

My guess would be Washington.

Jim (Bayfield, WI)

Joe - Is there anything good to say about the Brewers? Tell me there's something! Thanks.

Joe Morgan

  (11:02 AM)

Yeah, they have a beautiful stadium!!!

Maria (Wimberley, TX)

Joe, enjoy your work. Have you read the new book "Moneyball" about Billy Beane? What do "insiders" such as yourself think about what the book says?

Joe Morgan

  (11:03 AM)

I read an excerpt in the NY Times. It's typical if you write a book, you want to be the hero. That is apparently what Beane has done. According to what I read in the Times, Beane is smarter than anyone else. I don't think it will make him popular with the other GMs or the other people in baseball.

Utek (LA)

Hey Joe, given the success of Annika Sorenson, and the number of women playing softball in America, do you think there's the possibility that a woman would ever play in pro baseball? As an aside, did you ever take any swings against a topflight female softball pitcher? I know that Alex Rodriguez has stood in the batter's box against one, but he was too chicken to take any hacks.

Joe Morgan

  (11:05 AM)

Golf, the equipment allows women to compete equally. In baseball, men are bigger, stronger, faster in general. There could be a lady one day as fast or as strong and would have a chance. But I don't see it in my lifetime. The reason Annika can play with the men is the equipment has changed to allow her to hit the ball as hard and as long. What she has done is great. I can't remember if I ever hit off a softball pitcher.. I think I did. It's so hard to adjust, going from a mound to someone being about 40 feet away. It's a big difference.

Joe Morgan

  (11:05 AM)

Women are great softball players, but playing baseball is a different story.

Jack, Moncton, Canada

Joe. Do you think Tim Raines has a shot at the hall of fame?

Joe Morgan

  (11:06 AM)

I think he does have a shot. But the writers vote on Raines. I only get a vote on the Veteran's Committee. But he does have a shot.

Alan (Louisville, KY)

Joe, You're style of announcing comes from being such an intelligent player. Do you think that being a former player gives you access to players who are usually reluctant to talk to reporters who never played?

Joe Morgan

  (11:08 AM)

They should feel more comfortable talking to former players, but they still consider you the media. Former players have been critical about substance abuse and other things, so they are still leary of you. We've seen too many tell-all books and stories of late, they don't always know who to trust.

Joey, Nj

Do you think Jesse Orosco is going to be playing until he is 50 years old?

Joe Morgan

  (11:08 AM)

If you are a lefthanded pitcher and you have a funky motion like he does and you can get left handers out, you can pitch forever!

Tony (Arlington Heights, IL)

Hey Joe, do you think Cory Patterson is for real this year or is going to tail off like he did last year. He seems to have gotten much better at hitting pitches up in the strike zone which has to be a good sign. Right?

Joe Morgan

  (11:10 AM)

You get experience from playing in the majors. Each year you should get better. It appears he is a better player now. Dusty Baker is always so positive and always keeps his players positive. Dusty will help him through the tough times. This could be the year he becomes the star everyone predicted he would be.

Nathaniel (Weare)

Can the Dodgers pitching staff carry them to the playoffs?

Joe Morgan

  (11:10 AM)

If Dreifort pitches well and Brown continues to pitch well, they can. But everytime Dreifort throws a pitch, you have to hold your breath. Brown has had problems too. How long will they hold up? Nobody knows, but if they do, they have a good chance.

John, Snellville

what was a more devastasting playoff series loss and why. Losing to the Phillies in 1980 or the Mets in 1973?

Joe Morgan

  (11:13 AM)

That's a tough one! Probably the Phillies because I was older and didn't know how many more chances I would get. When I was with the Reds, I felt I would be there every year. But towards the end, I just didn't know how many more times I would get a chance. Although I must admit, I thought the Phillies were a better team than the Mets.. but I also thought the Reds were better than the Astros.

Mike Rapier (Cincinnati, OH)

It seems like Bob Boone likes to change the lineup every single day. Does this hurt the Reds, not keeping a consistent lineup in everyday?

Joe Morgan

  (11:13 AM)

It all depends on the players you are changing and their attitudes. It seems to be working of late.

Ryan (Fargo)

Which is more important in baseball today....good starting pitching or good relief pitching?

Joe Morgan

  (11:17 AM)

The way the game is played now, the bullpen is just as important as starting pitching. Starting pitching is probably the most important, but the bullpen is very very close. Two weeks ago, it looked like the Yankees were headed for a championship. Now there is some wondering going on. Just shows you that everything goes in cycles for good teams. Thanks for the great questions and we'll chat again next Friday.