Jim Morris - The Rookie

Episode 506

Jim Morris is a former MLB player, who's life was portrayed in the Disney movie "The Rookie" back in 2002. His rise to professional baseball's pinnacle was one of the most improbable stories you'll ever see. 

Originally selected fourth overall in the 1983 amateur draft (January Secondary) by the Milwaukee Brewers, Jim would suffer arm injuries during his brief four year minor league career that saw him only reach the Single A level. 

Morris would retire, move to Big Lake, Texas and become a teacher and high school baseball coach. In the spring of 1999, Morris made a promise to his high school team that he would try out for an MLB team if his club won the District Championship. His team would win and Morris kept his promise to attend a Tampa Bay Devil Rays tryout. That tryout turned into an incredible story that saw Jim make his MLB debut at the age of 35 on September 18, 1999 against the Texas Rangers in his hometown state. 

Jim would retire after pitching two seasons in the Majors and write his autobiography "The Oldest Rookie." That book would turn into a Disney movie and Jim Morris' life would be portrayed on the big screen by actor Dennis Quaid. In June 2020, Jim would release his new book "Dream Makers: Surround Yourself with the Best to be the Best" and continues to speak and share his story with audiences across the country. 

On this episode of the podcast, we talk with Jim Morris about his new book, being portrayed in the movie "The Rookie," what he learned about forgiveness in the relationship with his father, overcoming health issues and using his story to bring glory to God.

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