WBOB Original Reads

PawSox Report: Walpole Joe & The Hit Dog Enshrined in PawSox Hall of Fame

7/25/2017

Ryan L. Fox

Last Sunday was as special occasion for the Pawtucket Red Sox organization. Prior to their 1:35 p.m. start against the Norfolk Tides, the PawSox inducted two more into the team Hall of Fame: former manager Joe “Walpole Joe” Morgan and Mo “The Hit Dog” Vaughn.

Mo Vaugh was originally drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 1989 MLB Draft 23rd overall in the 1st Round. He spent 3 years in Pawtucket (1990-92) before going on to have a 12 year career in the majors league (1991-98 Boston Red Sox, 1999-2000 Anaheim Angels, 2002-2003 New York Mets). This includes 3 All-Star appearances (1995, 1996, 1998), an AL MVP award (1995), as well as a career batting average of .293, 328 HRs, 1064 RBIs, and an OBP/SLG/OPS line of .383/.523/.906. Mo’s PawSox numbers are as followed: In 216 games, Mo hit for .286 (220-for-769) with 32 HR, 150 RBIs, and had an OBP/SLG/OPS line of .387/.555/.842.

Joe Morgan was the PawSox skipper from 1974-1982. He’s the PawSox career leader in managerial wins with 601 wins, 244 more wins than the next person on the list Ron Johnson. Joe also won the 1977 IL Manager of the Year, becoming the only man in International League history to win the IL MVP (in 1964 with the Jacksonville Suns) and the IL Manager of the Year. He was also manager of the PawSox during After the 1982 season, Joe was called up to the Boston level. Joe served as a scout (1983-84), first base coach (1985), bullpen coach (1986), and then the third base coach (1987-88) before getting named interim manager during the 1988 season. Then from 1988-1991, Joe was the manager full time as the Red Sox won the AL East Divisional title in 1988 & 1990. He has also been inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2006 and then the International Hall of Fame in 2008.

After the Hall of Fame ceremony, both Mo and Joe spoke with the media afterwards. The two recollect what it was like to be a part of the PawSox organization, the memories they had, how the game has changed from their playing/managerial days, old teammates, their life post baseball, and much more.