Jim Morris Net Worth

Overview

James Samuel ‘Jim’ Morris Jr. was born on January 19, 1964, in Brownwood, Texas. He is an American retired professional baseball player. Morris’s journey to the major leagues is a remarkable story of perseverance and pursuing a lifelong dream. Despite being drafted by the New York Yankees at age 18, arm injuries derailed his early career, leading him to retire from baseball and become a high school science teacher and baseball coach. A decade later, Morris made a bet with his high school team: if they won the district championship, he would try out for the major leagues again. After they won, he kept his promise. His pitching arm had grown stronger, and he consistently threw fastballs over 90 mph during a tryout with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The Devil Rays signed him, and at the age of 35, Morris made his major league debut as a relief pitcher. His story inspired the 2002 Disney film ‘The Rookie,’ starring Dennis Quaid. After retiring from baseball, Morris became a motivational speaker and author.

What Is Jim Morris’ Net Worth?

Jim Morris, the American retired professional baseball player whose story inspired the Disney movie “The Rookie,” has an estimated net worth of $2 million. This valuation primarily stems from his baseball career, his autobiography “The Oldest Rookie,” and the movie deal based on his life story.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

James Samuel Morris Jr. was born in Brownwood, Texas, on January 19, 1964. Due to his father’s service in the United States Navy as a recruiter, Jim’s family moved frequently, living in various locations, including New Haven, Connecticut, Great Lakes, Illinois, and Jacksonville, Florida. He started playing baseball at the age of three. Returning to Brownwood, Texas, he attended Brownwood High School. Although the school lacked a baseball program at the time, Morris excelled in football from 1979 to 1982. He played wingback, punter, and kicker, contributing to the team’s state championship victory under coach Gordon Wood. Morris’s early athletic endeavors laid the foundation for his later baseball career.

Professional Baseball Career and Earnings

Morris was initially drafted by the New York Yankees in the 18th round (466th overall) of the 1982 MLB amateur draft but did not sign. He was then drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers as the 4th pick in the 1st round of the 1983 January Draft-Secondary Phase from Ranger College. Arm injuries and ineffectiveness prevented him from advancing beyond the Single-A leagues, leading to his release and subsequent retirement. He maintained a minor league record of 17–22, with a 5.13 ERA across 270 innings pitched. After a decade as a physical science teacher and baseball coach at Reagan County High School, Morris made a promise to his team: if they won the District Championship, he would try out for an MLB team. The team’s victory led Morris to attend a Tampa Bay Devil Rays tryout.

MLB Debut and Salary

At the age of 35, Morris made his Major League Baseball debut with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on September 18, 1999. During his time in MLB, Jim Morris earned the league minimum salary of $200,000 in 1999. In 2000, he signed a minor-league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers but was released during spring training and did not appear in any regular-season games for the team. He appeared in 21 games as a relief pitcher, recording a 4.80 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 15 innings pitched. His final MLB appearance was on May 9, 2000, at Yankee Stadium. His MLB career concluded with a 0-0 win-loss record and a 4.80 ERA.

Post-Playing Career and Income Streams

After retiring from baseball, Jim Morris capitalized on his life story through various avenues. He wrote his autobiography, “The Oldest Rookie,” detailing his journey to the major leagues. Disney made a film about his life. “The Rookie,” was released in 2002, with Dennis Quaid portraying Morris. In addition to the income from his playing career, Morris earns income from public speaking and his books. In 2020, Morris released his second book, “Dream Makers,” which chronicles his life in the two decades following his MLB retirement.