Red Sox Nation welcomes Red Sox Skipper Joe Morgan

It has been twenty years since Morgan's Magic captivated Red Sox Nation. Joe Morgan from Walpole, Ma. lead the team to an improbable comeback to take the American League East by a single game. Joe Morgans Highlights: In 1966, Morgan became a manager in the farm system of the Pittsburgh Pirates, rising in 1970-71 and 1973 to the AAA level. In between, he served as a Pittsburgh coach under Bill Virdon in 1972. In 1973, Morgan's Charleston Charlies won 85 games and the division title, but lost the finals of the International League playoffs to the Pawtucket Red Sox in five games. Nevertheless, Morgan was selected Minor League Manager of the Year for 1973 by The Sporting News. Pawtucket Red Sox Morgan switched to Pawtucket, and the Boston Red Sox organization, the following season. He led the PawSox for nine years (1974-82), the longest-tenured manager in the franchise's history. Morgan won 601 games, losing 658 (.477) and was the Pawtucket skipper during its famous 33-inning game against Rochester in 1981, though he was ejected in the 22nd. He won the International League Manager of the Year award in 1977. The parent Red Sox reassigned Morgan after the 1982 season, making him a scout for 1983-84 before he was finally invited to return to the majors as a Boston coach in 1985. Morgan coached at first base in '85 and in the bullpen during the Sox' 1986 pennant-winning season, before replacing Rene Lachemann as Boston's third-base coach in 1987. Boston Red Sox In 1988, a talented Boston team was stumbling at .500 under manager John McNamara, leading the ownership to fire him during the All-Star break. They named Morgan acting manager and began negotiations with high profile candidates, such as Joe Torre and Lou Piniella, who were under contract to other organizations. The Red Sox promptly won their first 12 games under Morgan - a period dubbed by the press as Morgan Magic - and the team named him as their regular field boss. The 1988 Red Sox won the AL