Joe Morgan

Baseball Hall of Famer/Broadcaster​

California State University, East Bay

Joe Morgan has enjoyed one of the most successful careers in professional sports: a Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, a former two-time National League “Most Valuable Player” with the Cincinnati Reds, and an Emmy-award-winning ESPN broadcaster. A 1990 alumnus of California State University, East Bay, he is a distinguished civic and business leader and longtime supporter of the California State University and Cal State East Bay.

Mr. Morgan’s career as a second baseman spanned 22 seasons, during which he played for the Houston Colts and Astros; Cincinnati Reds; San Francisco Giants; Philadelphia Phillies; and Oakland Athletics. He was selected 10 times to the National League All-Star Team, and was the Most Valuable Player twice. Mr. Morgan was the first second basemen to play in 2,000 games, hit 200 home runs
and attain 2,000 hits. He was elected to the Hall of Fame the first year he was eligible.

His broadcasting career followed his 1985 retirement. He has worked for ABC-TV and NBC-TV, announced Reds and Giants games, called World Series games, and received an All-Star Cable ACE award in 1990 and Emmy Awards for sport analysis in 1995 and 2005.

Mr. Morgan is known throughout the East Bay for his inspirational leadership and work on behalf of young people. He is a model of citizenship, educational and professional achievement, and personal excellence who embodies the intellectual and humane values that are consistent with higher education and with the highest ideals of his profession.

Mr. Morgan has provided generous support in helping increase awareness of California State University, East Bay as the region’s high-access institution of choice. He established a scholarship fund for Cal State East Bay students majoring in kinesiology, and tells recipients that “getting an education is about the most important thing an individual can do.”

In recognition of his professional and community achievements, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California State University, East Bay are proud to confer upon Joe Morgan the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.