The Rookie a veteran
Jim Morris' brief pitching career with the Rays led to the popular Disney movie The Rookie.
Six years later, Morris is still a popular personality, traveling the world to make around 100 inspirational speeches a year.
Saturday, he'll return to Tropicana Field to sign autographs from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. as part of the team's annual FanFest.
"It's amazing,'' Morris said. "I've been extremely busy. They said as the movie got further away things would slow down but they've actually picked up.''
Morris remains grateful of the opportunity the Rays gave him, to go from a high school coach and teacher to a big-league pitcher at age 35.
"A lot of times it seems surreal,'' he said. "It's amazing to think I did that and the Rays are the ones who gave me the chance.''
The topic of Morris' speeches? "Second chances and not giving up,'' he said. "It couldn't get much easier than that.''
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