Matt Morris is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for three different teams during his career. He was born on August 9, 1974, in Middletown, New York, and attended Seton Hall University in New Jersey.
Morris was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the 1995 MLB draft and made his debut with the team in 1997. He quickly established himself as a reliable starter, earning a spot in the rotation and finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting.
Over the next several seasons, Morris continued to pitch well for the Cardinals, earning two All-Star selections and finishing in the top ten in Cy Young voting twice. He was a key member of the team that won the National League pennant in 2004, although they ultimately lost to the Boston Red Sox in the World Series.
After the 2005 season, Morris became a free agent and signed with the San Francisco Giants. He struggled in his first season with the team, posting a 4.98 ERA and missing time due to injury. However, he bounced back in 2007, going 10-15 with a 4.98 ERA and 132 strikeouts.
Morris was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2007, where he finished out his career. He struggled in his final season, going 0-4 with a 9.67 ERA in just six starts before being released by the team.
Overall, Morris had a solid career, finishing with a record of 121-92 and a 3.98 ERA. He struck out 1,086 batters in 1,675 innings pitched and earned over $50 million in salary during his career.
Since retiring from baseball, Morris has remained involved in the sport, working as a pitching coach and serving as a commentator for Cardinals games. He also runs a charity organization, the Morris Animal Foundation, which funds research into animal health and welfare.
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