The Phillies Trade for Joe Morgan

On December 14, 1982, the Philadelphia Phillies traded pitchers Mike Krukow and Mark Davis and minor leaguer C.L. Penigar to the San Francisco Giants for second baseman Joe Morgan and relief pitcher Al Holland. The Phillies were assembling a veteran-heavy roster for one more championship run, and Morgan gave them a Hall of Fame presence in the middle of the infield.

Morgan was 39 years old and well past his prime. His peak seasons with the Big Red Machine in the 1970s had produced back-to-back MVP awards in 1975 and 1976, two World Series rings, and a reputation as the most complete second baseman of his generation. He combined power, patience, speed, and defense at a level no second baseman before him had sustained.

By 1982, the power and speed had diminished. Morgan hit .289 with 14 home runs for the Giants that year, respectable numbers but a long way from the player who had hit .327 with 27 home runs and 60 stolen bases in 1976.

Philadelphia did not need the 1976 version. They needed a professional hitter who could get on base, handle the bat in pressure situations, and provide leadership in a clubhouse full of aging stars. The Phillies' 1983 roster, nicknamed the "Wheeze Kids" for its collective age, included Pete Rose, Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, and Tony Perez.

Morgan delivered. He hit .230 but walked 89 times and posted a .351 on-base percentage, playing steady defense at second. Holland, the other piece of the trade, saved 25 games with a 2.26 ERA. Together, they helped Philadelphia reach the 1983 World Series, where the Phillies lost to the Orioles in five games.

Krukow, the pitcher Philadelphia gave up, went on to win 20 games for the Giants in 1986.