Veteran Morrison returns for another tour of duty
Published on January 29, 2004 under Northern League (NL)
Winnipeg Goldeyes News Release
Two down, two to go.
Goldeyes president & CEO Sam Katz announced today the signing of first baseman Greg Morrison. With last week's inking of outfielder Harry Berrios, the Goldeyes have now locked up two of their four veterans for the 2004 season.
"Any team in this league or in any league automatically becomes better with a guy like Greg Morrison," Katz said. "He is a solid two-way player that is quick to offer the kind of leadership you come to expect from a veteran both on and off the field."
Finishing among the top three in the Northern league in home runs, extra-base hits and total bases, Morrison, 27, batted .292 last year with 14 home runs and 53 runs batted in. He missed just one of Winnipeg's 89 games and has missed just two games over the last three seasons.
"Greg came in and had a very solid year for us," said manager Hal Lanier. "He was probably the most consistent on the club and hopefully he can put up the numbers he did last year or even better."
Solid down the stretch, Morrison hit .319 in August then kept it up in the post-season. Hitting safely in eight of Winnipeg's nine playoff games, he batted a team-best .333, including a .429 clip against St. Paul in the East Division Final.
No slouch with the glove, Morrison posted a .993 fielding percentage last year, leading all first basemen in putouts, total chances and double plays. Over the last three years, he has committed just 20 errors in 2,480 chances for a .992 fielding percentage.
Acquired from Kansas City to replace Pete Rose, Morrison bettered his predecessor in almost every category, most notably in batting average (.292 to .260), doubles (20 to eight), home runs (14 to four), runs batted in (53 to 38) and slugging percentage (.479 to .330).
Morrison joins Berrios and outfielder Kris Cox as returnees for 2004. All three represented their country at the 2003 World Cup in Cuba, Morrison and Cox doing so for Canada and Berrios for the United States.
Northern League Stories from January 29, 2004
- Veteran Morrison returns for another tour of duty - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- Canaries Bring Back Holbrook For 2004 - Sioux Falls Canaries
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