'A positive example for young people'
(Photo by Clay Lomneth)

'A positive example for young people'

Praised for his youth foundation, Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Joe Morgan was presented The American Legion’s James V. Day “Good Guy” Award during the organization’s 99th annual national convention Aug. 21.

“Joe Morgan is not just one of baseball’s all-time greats, but he is a solid example of a good citizen who believes in being a positive example for young people,” said American Legion National Commander Charles E. Schmidt. “A great baseball player and a successful businessman, he clearly believes in paying back his good fortune to society.He is an outstanding selection for the 2017 Good Guy Award.”

“”Anytime someone recognizes that I wasn’t just a baseball player, it’s important from that perspective,” Morgan said. “And it’s important from some of the people that you have already honored. You have honored some of the greatest athletes and the greatest people in the country. So I feel very honored to be one of them.”

Morgan was a two time World Champion with the Cincinnati Reds, and the National League Most Valuable Player in 1975 and 1976. A former American Legion Baseball player, he is ranked at or near the top of all-time Major League second basemen by many baseball experts. His former teammate, 2016 Good Guy Award winner Johnny Bench, called Morgan the greatest player he had ever seen..

The James V. Day Good Guy Award is named after a World War II veteran and prominent Legionnaire. Recent recipients include former boxing great George Foreman, NASCAR legend Richard Petty, performer Dolly Parton, former MLB Commissioner Bud Selig and MLB Hall of Famer Joe Torre.