Former Blue Jays Backstop, Harvard Star, Dies Suddenly At 54

TORONTO, CANADA - JULY 18: The beforehand logo decal connected the batting helmet of Jose Reyes #7 of the Toronto Blue Jays earlier the commencement of MLB crippled action against the Texas Rangers connected July 18, 2014 astatine Rogers Centre successful Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

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The Toronto Blue Jays were astatine the halfway of a heartbreaking nonaccomplishment for the shot world erstwhile news surfaced that erstwhile World Series champion pitcher Duane Ward had died earlier this month.

Now the squad and its fans will person to travel together erstwhile again pinch the nonaccomplishment of different erstwhile personnel of the statement whose bequest was cemented successful the Ivy League, Toronto workplace strategy and successful cherished bonds pinch family and friends.

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Former Toronto Blue Jays Catcher Dies Unexpectedly At Home At Age 54

“Former Toronto Blue Jays catching and infield imaginable Dave Morgan has died astatine the property of 54,” Kevin Glew reported for Cooperstown successful Canada. “Prior to his pro shot career, Morgan was a standout shot and shot subordinate astatine Harvard. Selected successful the 18th information of the 1993 MLB draught by the Blue Jays, the Newton, Mass., autochthonal played six seasons successful the organization... In 253 pro games, he batted .251 pinch 21 location runs.”

Morgan's shot profession began arsenic a standout precocious schoolhouse athlete, which was followed by an exceptional collegiate tally astatine Harvard University, wherever he established himself arsenic 1 of the nation’s champion players earlier joining the Blue Jays statement successful the 1993 MLB Draft.

Harvard University Star, Toronto Blue Jays’ Former Prospect Left Lasting Legacy Beyond Baseball

Though Morgan spent six years successful the Blue Jays’ system, he mightiness beryllium champion remembered arsenic a prima astatine Harvard University.

“As Harvard's first baseman, he was named the 1993 Ivy League Player of the Year earlier fulfilling a lifelong dream erstwhile he was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays successful the 18th information of the Major League Baseball Draft,” a section obituary noted.

Morgan reached arsenic precocious arsenic the Double-A level earlier hanging up his spikes, but his power continued agelong aft his playing days ended. He devoted overmuch of his life to coaching young athletes, mentoring families and remaining progressive successful his section community.

“His top bequest is not recovered successful diversion records aliases master accomplishments, but successful the group he coached, the families he helped, the friendships he nurtured, and the emotion he poured into his family each day,” the obituary added, noting that he had passed distant unexpectedly. “He made group consciousness seen, important, and loved, and that is really he will everlastingly beryllium remembered.”

For Blue Jays fans, Morgan’s sanction whitethorn not beryllium remembered among the semipermanent franchise contributors. But for those who knew him personally, his bequest extends acold beyond the sport, encompassing his years arsenic a Harvard standout, his master profession successful Toronto's statement and, astir importantly, the countless lives he influenced done coaching, relationship and family.