Josh Morgan enjoyed his baseball career at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. “It was the best four years of my life and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Morgan said.

Between 2004 and 2006 the former pitcher for the then UM-St. Louis Rivermen was a three time all Great Lakes Valley Conference selection and in 2006 he won conference player of the year honors, along with being selected to the All Region team twice during his UM-St. Louis career.

“Josh was a great pitcher,” Coach Jim Brady, Tritons baseball coach, said. “He had some dominating stuff.”

Morgan grew up in South St. Louis city and attended Our Lady of Sorrows elementary school and St. Mary’s High School on South Grand. “High School baseball was fun, too,” Morgan said. “But the biggest difference between the high school level and the college game is the quality of play and the speed of the game.”

“I think what also helped me get drafted was that we did not use aluminum bats when I played at UM-St. Louis,” Morgan said. “During my career we had wooden bats that really leveled the playing field. As a pitcher, it allowed me to really show what I and others could possibly do at the professional level.” As of 2007, most college baseball conferences have abandoned the use of wooden bats and have gone to aluminum. During Morgan’s four-year career at UM-St. Louis, though, the GLVC used wooden bats.

In 2006, Morgan was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. Morgan explained that the difference between college baseball and professional baseball is the competition level.

“In professional baseball, you’re not just competing against the opposition,” Morgan said. “You’re also trying to win that spot against your teammates. Professional baseball was kind of a business, but college baseball at UM-St. Louis was defiantly more team oriented.”

Morgan never made it to the Major Leagues. Soon after arriving in Vancouver, British Columbia, home of the Athletics short season minor league affiliate, Morgan said he blew out his arm. His baseball career had ended.

“What happened was I was just pitching like I normally do. Then I felt a lot of pain in my arm.  The next thing I knew my career was pretty much over,” Morgan said.

“One thing that I will never forget about my time at UM-St. Louis would be Coach Brady,” Morgan said. “He’s one of those guys that no matter what always looked out after his players both on and off the field.”

Josh Morgan still resides in the South Kingshigway neighborhood where he and his family grew up. While at UM-St. Louis, Morgan earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. He is now a personal trainer at a local sports complex.

By Michael Frederick & Stephanie Benz