Some players we spotlight in this series have had long stays in Milwaukee. Some, on the other hand, had a short tenure with the Brewers. However, they all have played an important part in the history of the franchise. In this edition of Brewers Past and Present, we highlight one of the most important (and entertaining) players of the 2011 team that went all the way to the National League Championship Series. Ladies and gentleman, Tony Plush (I mean, Nyjer Morgan).
Nyjer Morgan Before Milwaukee
Nyjer Morgan was initially drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 42nd round of the 1998 amateur draft. He did not sign, however, and was later drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 33rd round of the 2002 draft. He made his Major League debut with the Pirates in 2007, and spent parts of that season and 2008 with the Pirates. 2009 was his first full season in the Majors, which was split between the Pirates and Washington Nationals. He hit .307/.369/.388 with three home runs, 39 RBI, and 42 stolen bases.
During this time in his career, Morgan developed the alter ego Tony Plush. Whereas Nyjer Morgan is a very relaxed, laid-back individual, Tony Plush is eccentric and entertaining. Morgan developed this alter ego in order to get him psyched up for games and to play his best.
When asked to explain about his stage name, Morgan said, “I’m not crazy, just out there having fun, just enjoying the game. Just trying to make it exciting, trying to put a little different twist to it.” Some of his teammates loved it; others thought it was unprofessional. However, when Morgan arrived in Milwaukee, he found a team and a city who embraced both himself and his alter ego.
Nyjer Morgan in Milwaukee
Somewhat fed up with Morgan’s antics, the Washington Nationals traded him to the Brewers ahead of the 2011 season. In Milwaukee, though, Tony Plush found a city who would embrace his fun-loving, yet intense, game play. He certainly played an important role in the success of the 2011 Brewers.
While not an everyday starter, Morgan appeared in 119 games. He hit .304/.357/.421 with four home runs and 37 RBI. His most memorable game, though, was Game Five of the National League Divisional Series. In that game, he scored the tying run and drove in the winning run on a walk-off hit that would send the Brewers to the NLCS.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Morgan’s play declined in 2012. As a result, he was not brought back in 2013. He spent that season playing professional ball in Japan before returning to the Majors for a brief stint with Cleveland in 2014.
MORE BREWERS PAST AND PRESENT
- Zack Greinke
- Prince Fielder
- JJ Hardy
- Rickie Weeks
- Orlando Arcia
- Jeff Cirillo
- Cecil Cooper
- Paul Molitor
- Justin Smoak
- Ben Sheets
- Bob Uecker
- Keston Hiura
- Josh Hader
- Ted Simmons
- Gorman Thomas
- Pete Vuckovich
- Rollie Fingers
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