Joe Morgan, two-time division-winning manager for Red Sox, dies at 95

Joe Morgan, who spent 18 years in the Boston Red Sox organization as a manager, coach and scout and guided them to the 1988 American League East championship, died Saturday, Sept. 5, the club announced Sunday.

Morgan, a Walpole, Massachusetts, native who played at Boston College, managed the Red Sox from 1988-1991, taking over for the fired John McNamara at midseason. The Red Sox were 43-42 at the All-Star break and nine games out of first place when Morgan took over.

He guided them to a 46-31 record and an improbable East title behind pitchers Roger Clemens and Bruce Hurst, who each won 18 games; Clemens led the majors with 291 strikeouts. The Red Sox were swept 4-0 in the AL Championship Series by the Oakland Athletics.

"Joe Morgan holds a special place in Red Sox history," said Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry in a statement released by the team. "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. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and all who loved him."

Added chairman Tom Werner: "'Morgan Magic' is forever part of Red Sox lore. Joe took over in 1988 and gave New England a summer it would never forget. How fitting that, in his final season watching the Red Sox, he saw another team respond to adversity with a remarkable run of its own."

Morgan won 83, 88 and 84 games in his three full seasons managing the club, guiding them to the East title in 1990 before another postseason elimination by Oakland. He was fired shortly after the 1991 season and replaced by Butch Hobson.

Morgan was the longtime manager of the Pawtucket Red Sox , leading the team from 1974 to 1982, and compiling a record of 601-658 through nine seasons, where he helped future Red Sox stars such as Jim Rice, Wade Boggs, Rich Gedman, Fred Lynn and more. He was named International League Manager of the Year in 1977.

The Boston Red Sox re-assigned him as a scout for the 1983 and '84 seasons before he joined the major league team as the first base coach in 1985.

An infielder, Morgan played in 88 major league games with the Milwaukee Braves (1959), Kansas City Athletics (1959), Philadelphia Phillies (1960), Cleveland Indians (1960-61), and St. Louis Cardinals (1964) and began his minor league managerial career in 1966. He is a member of both the Boston Red Sox and Pawtucket Red Sox halls of fame.