Morris
back on the field following death of mother
Longview News Journal
Friday, March 16, 2007
SARASOTA, Fla. — Athletes routinely have to recover from injuries sustained on the field. However, Beckville's Cory Morris is coming back from a different kind of injury: A broken heart.
After being in major league camp with the Baltimore Orioles last year, Morris finds himself fighting to get back into shape while at the club's minor league complex this spring, following the death of his mother on Dec. 8, 2006.
"She was a big part of my life, I looked up to her," Morris said. "It was the hardest thing I've ever had to go through. When it happened, I didn't work out or do anything for a little while."
Morris played in the Arizona Fall League for the second straight season in 2006, posting an 0-2 record with a 3.07 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings of work. The right-hander had to leave before the season was completed and said he considered retirement after his mother's death.
"I had mixed feelings. I was thinking to myself, "Are you ready to go back?" Morris explained. "I looked back and thought that my mom would want me to go play. I came back for her."
Following his high school career at Beckville, Morris went to Panola College for two years. It was there, the 6-2, 200-pounder really learned to pitch.
"I really didn't know how to pitch. Robert (Ellis) came in during one offseason and worked with me," said Morris, who also credits Panola coach Don Clinton with his development. "He helped me with my mechanics. I came in not throwing very hard, but then in 3-4 months I was throwing 93 (miles per hour)."
Morris moved on to play at Dallas Baptist University for two years (2000-01), where he compiled a 15-13 overall record. Baltimore then snatched up the East Texan in the 15th round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft.
The East Texas native enjoyed a breakout season in 2005 while playing with AA Bowie (Md.), compiling an 8-5 record. He struck out 164 batters in 142 innings, logging a 3.11 ERA in the process.
After missing the final cut to make the Orioles' big league squad at the end of spring training in 2006, Morris quickly received his first call-up a week into the season.
"The good thing is that when I got called up against the Devil Rays, my mom was able to come down (to St. Petersburg)," said the 27-year-old. "Her being there was great, even though she didn't get to watch me pitch."
Battling two injuries, Morris spent most of last year at the AAA level, where he was the victim of poor run support. Despite a respectable 4.21 ERA, he went 1-9 on the season.
Although Morris never threw a pitch while with the Orioles, he said he did receive a hefty pay raise.
"The money isn't too great in the minor leagues. When I started out, it was $850 per month," Morris stated. "At AA you make about $1,900 a month and at AAA it's about $2,500 a month. You get up to the majors and you're making $9,000 a month, even after you go back down to the minors."
Even so, Morris, who expects to start the season at AAA Norfolk (Va.), said he is hungry to get back to the big leagues.
"I hope that I can do it again soon. My goals are to just go out there, win ballgames and be consistent," he said. "A move to the bullpen could happen any time, which is fine with me. Whatever it takes to get to the big leagues faster.
"Coming out of a small town like Beckville, it's exciting," Morris continued. "I know there are some people that keep up with me, and I want to make them proud."
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