|
|
Guy "Alabama Blossom" Morton
Class of 2003
Category: Baseball
Born: 6/1/1893
Died: 10/18/1934
Birthplace: Vernon, AL
Guy Morton was born in Vernon, AL in 1893. The professional baseball player became the first native Alabamian to win 100 games in the Majors. He once struck out four hitters in one inning for Cleveland. After being dubbed the "strikeout king" in the Eastern League, he became a consistent winner for the Indians where he spent his entire major league career. He still rates in the top 10 all-time Cleveland pitchers in several categories, including earned run average (3.13), shutouts (20), and strikeouts (830). He led the American League with five relief wins in 1921 despite being a starter. He was said to have developed pitching control by hunting squirrels with rocks. Morton led the Eastern League for two years in strikeouts per nine innings and in 1918, he led the Majors in that category. He finished the 1918 season wiith 123 strikeouts, fourth best in the AL. He was second in the league in shutouts in 1915. In the minors, Morton won another 91 games. On March 24, 2001, he was named to the Cleveland Indians "Top 100 Greatest Indians" list, one of 36 pitchers named. He died at age 41 in 1934.
|
 |
|
|
|
