Provided he makes another ballclub next year, righthander Mike Morgan said he will retire after the 2000 season.
Wanting to become the first player since Nolan Ryan to play in four decades, Morgan would do that. His career started in 1978.
But since his oldest daughter, Mattison (4), would be starting school in 2001, Morgan wants to turn his attention toward his children. Morgan’s other daughter, MiKhail, turned 2 in February.
“Four decades would be great,” said Morgan, who will turn 40 on Oct. 8. “Where that’s going to be I don’t know. Here or elsewhere next year, I don’t know. But either way I’m going home after next year so I can play dad.”
Morgan helped the Rangers with 12 victories through July but collapsed in August with no wins and a 10.80 ERA. That caused him to fall out of the starting rotation and move back into the bullpen Sept. 1. For the season, Morgan is 12-8 with a 6.29 ERA.
“I know I had a tough August, but I’d like to think I had something to do with us getting to the playoffs,” Morgan said. “It’s a great feeling to get there.”