Russ Morgan signs contract with Seattle Mariners
By CRAIG MUDER

Observer-Dispatch FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Russ Morgan thought his baseball career might be over after he was passed up in last week's Major League Baseball amateur draft.

Instead, Morgan is about to embark on a western road trip that could land him a place on the Seattle Mariners.

Morgan, a 1996 Utica Notre Dame High School graduate, signed a free-agent contract with the American League's Seattle Mariners Friday. The 6-foot, 200-pound left-handed pitcher will report to the Mariners' spring training complex in Peoria, Ariz., Wednesday.

"I was attending a wedding of one of my friends (in Indiana) when the Mariners got in touch with my father," said Morgan, reached by phone at a friend's house in Fort Wayne, Ind. "A couple of phone calls later - after some anxious waiting - and we had a deal."

Morgan, who recently completed his collegiate baseball career at Purdue University, was not taken in last week's draft - unlike last year, when he was selected in the 21st round by the Houston Astros.

Morgan did not sign with Houston, however, opting to return to Purdue to finish his education.

On Friday, Morgan received a degree from Purdue in supervisory management.

"I was pretty surprised (about not being drafted), being that I was taken the year before," said Morgan, who was recommended to the Mariners by John Madia, an Indianapolis resident who has connections with both Purdue and the Mariners. "But now I have my opportunity and I'm going to run with it."

Morgan won't have to wait long for his chance. By the end of this week, Morgan - along with most of the Mariners' other draft picks and free agent signees - should be assigned to a minor league team.

"The Mariners said I'll probably make a couple starts at their rookie league team in Peoria - just so their scouts can see me," Morgan said. "Then, depending on how I do and how many of their other picks sign, I could go to their (short-season Class A) team in Everett, Wash. That's in the Northwest League - which is like a west-coast New York-Penn League (a league for recently drafted collegians)."

Morgan went 6-6 this year with a 4.83 ERA with the Boilermakers. He made 14 starts and pitched three complete games.

With the Mariners, Morgan will make $850 per month. But the money pales in comparison to a chance to pitch professionally.

"Baseball is a very important part of Russ' life," said Russell Morgan, whose son will be making his first trip to Arizona. "But it may not take care of him for the rest of his life. Now, he's got that degree to fall back on.

"It was a very mature decision. And we're very proud of all his achievements." Morgan said his decision to return to Purdue was a no-brainer.

"Now that I have my degree in hand, I don't have to worry if they release me," said Morgan, who - unlike many student-athletes - completed his coursework in just four years. "Money was never what it was about. Graduating was important - I owed it to my parents.

"Now I can focus on baseball. I'm going to give it all I've got."