Used with permission
By John Marcase
Alexandria Town Talk
Warren Morris firmly believes he can still play baseball. Others agree, with teams contacting his agent.
But Morris has decided it’s time to retire after spending nine years in pro baseball, including parts of five seasons spent in the major leagues.
“I felt like it was time,” said Morris, the Bolton product who gained instant fame by winning the 1996 College World Series for LSU with a bottom-of-the-ninth home run. “I’ve got two little girls (17-month-old twins) and it was harder to go, living in our house only four months a year.
“I had a good time and career. I’m looking forward to new challenges.”
Morris was drafted in the fifth round by Texas in 1996. He made his major league debut with the Pirates at second base in 1999 and hit .288 with 15 home runs and 73 RBI in finishing third in the voting for National League Rookie of the Year.
He spent the 2000 season with the Pirates, but appeared in just 48 games in 2001 before being released during spring training in 2002. Morris would appear in a Twins’ uniform for four games to start the 2002 season. He would be traded to the Cardinals organization at midseason and eventually wound up in the Red Sox organization to end the year. Morris’ last season in the major leagues came with Detroit in 2003 when he hit .272 in 97 games for the Tigers.
After spending the 2004 season with the AAA Toledo Mud Hens, Morris wound up in Nashville last season, replacing former Southern star Rickie Weeks after Weeks was called up to Milwaukee. Morris hit. 265 with seven homers and 27 RBI in 64 games in helping the Nashville Sounds win the Pacific Coast League championship.
“To go out on a winning note made it a nice way to finish it out,” he said, noting he ended his LSU career with a CWS title and then helped the United States to the bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Games to end his amateur career. “I enjoyed being part of winning again.”
Morris said given the right situation, he still feels he could make it back to the major leagues. But at 32, organizations are more willing to give opportunities to their younger players. With Nashville, he was one of the oldest players on a roster that also included teenagers.
Morris has taken a job with Red River Bank, which he notes is his “first real job.”
“You kind of know when it’s time to move on,” he said. “I’m perfectly satisfied with where I am.”