Twenty-five years ago, Warren Morris hit a home run to win the College World Series for the LSU Tigers.
Then he hit the world stage, as a member of Team USA in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Morris, an Alexandria native and resident, will share memories of both experiences Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches.
Admission is free to hear Morris field questions about his baseball career, which carried him to the major leagues, and his perspective on the Olympics. The second baseman helped the United States earn a bronze medal and is the final Olympian to visit the museum this month in a four-part “Olympic Glory” series.
Morris was an unlikely hero for LSU, because after a breakout sophomore season, he had been sidelined for most of his junior year with a broken bone in his wrist and was not nearly 100 percent when he returned for postseason play. But with two out, the tying run on third and LSU trailing Miami 8-7, Morris lined the first pitch he saw inches over the right field fence for his only home run of the season, giving LSU the 1996 College World Series championship almost exactly 25 years ago – June 8, 1996.
The homer is considered the greatest moment in College World Series history and ranks highly on any list of great Louisiana sports moments. It is featured in the LSHOF museum’s “Great Moments” film.
Morris had starred the previous summer for Team USA, and remained on the squad for the Olympics in Atlanta, an experience he says was as stirring as the CWS game-winner. Those who attend his appearance this Saturday afternoon will find out why he feels that way, and will be able to ask questions and meet him.
Five-time Olympic volleyball player Danielle Scott entertained the audience last Saturday afternoon at the museum. Earlier speakers in the Olympic Glory series were 1972 USA Olympic boxer Tim Dement (May 15) and two-time Olympic medal-winning high jumper Hollis Conway (May 8).
Photo of Morris in USA Olympic jersey – USA Baseball
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