Rod Morris made AA Tulsa in 1991, initially as a backup outfielder, The Jackson Clarion-Ledger wrote.
But his backup status soon turned to starter due to an injury, and Morris worked to take advantage, The Clarion-Ledger wrote.
"I just got a break," Morris told The Clarion-Ledger that July. "I knew to stay in I had to produce. I started off pretty hot and it's stayed that way."
Morris ultimately hit .269 that year over 103 games. He went on to briefly make AAA two seasons later. In six pro campaigns, though, he missed the bigs.
Morris' career began in 1988, taken by the Rangers in the 25th round of the draft out of Southeastern Louisiana University.
Morris started with the Rangers at rookie Butte. He got into 69 games and hit .327. He also stole 33 bases.
He moved to single-A Port Charlotte for 1989 and 1990. He hit .270 his first year there and .255 in his second. He also stole 19 and 18 bases. He picked up two RBI in an August 1990 win.
Morris arrived at Tulsa for 1991 and played there again in 1992. He hit .269 in 100 games in 1992. Morris also was quoted in an article about his trainer, a woman trainer, Donna Papangellin, in The Shreveport Times.
"It was kind of odd at first, having a woman in the training room," Morris told The Times. "We had to kind of watch ourselves and watch what we said. But after a while, we just forgot all about it. She makes it easy for us. We just leave it up to her."
For 1992, Morris saw 22 games at Port Charlotte, 17 at single-A Charleston, and 12 at AAA Oklahoma City. He went 7 for 33 at Oklahoma City. That season proved his last as a pro.
- Jackson Clarion-Ledger, July 7, 1991: Speed has Morris on the move
- Seattle Times, Shreveport Times, Oct. 25, 1992: Initial Move Helped Woman Trainer Get Job
Made the Majors:1,314-33.4%
Never Made Majors:2,624-66.6%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:535
10+ Seasons in the Minors:328
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