Jim “The Rookie” Morris
Athlete, Author, Teacher and Inspiration for the Movie, The Rookie
Jim Morris travels the world as America’s foremost inspirational and motivational speaker. His story has become an inspiration to anyone interested in living their dreams.
The Cinderella story of Jim Morris serves as testimony to the power of dreams and their ability to inspire and transform human life. Jim Morris’s meteoric rise from 35 year-old high school teacher to flame-throwing major league pitcher in 3 months, made cinematic history with the release of The Rookie starring Dennis Quaid.
This heartwarming and unforgettable Disney blockbuster about chasing your dreams and keeping your promises, was nominated for a Critics Choice Award, won an ESPY for “Sports Film of the Year.” and Sports Illustrated magazine voted The Rookie one of the “five greatest baseball films ever made.”
Originally drafted in the 1st round in 1984, Jim Morris’s dream was to become a major league baseball player, but his career was derailed by a series of debilitating arm injuries before he got out of the minors in 1988. Instead, Jim got married, raised a family and got his college degree before becoming a high school science teacher and baseball coach in West Texas.
Eleven years after retiring from minor league baseball, Jim Morris was giving a speech to his high school team about the importance of dreams and hard work when his high school players challenged him to pursue his own dream of pitching in the major leagues. Jim Morris made the bet with his high school team: if they won the District Championship, he would tryout for the majors.
Jim Morris’s team fulfilled their end of the bargain, which committed him to a big league tryout. Inspired by his family and students, Jim immediately signed a professional baseball contract. His rise from obscurity became the feel-good story of 1999. After pitching for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2000, Jim Morris signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers and retired from baseball in 2001.
Today, Jim Morris lives with his family near San Antonio and travels the world as America’s foremost inspirational and motivational speaker. His story has become an inspiration to anyone interested in living their dreams.
A school teacher by trade, Jim Morris is a loveable storyteller who captivates and inspires others to step up and change their lives. Jim is particularly good at weaving the needs of his customers into his presentation. He receives standing ovations wherever he goes. Jim Morris has participated in such prestigious speaking events as The Million Dollar Round Table, numerous speaker showcases, and is the author of The Rookie.
Despite his success as a speaker, Jim Morris has remained genuine and developed a reputation among audiences as being a regular, approachable guy who hangs out with his audience. If you’re looking for someone who will connect with your group, Jim Morris is your guy.
Remembering Who You Are
This topic teaches audiences about the importance of integrity. Remembering who you are in all circumstances, when people are watching and when they are not. Jim tells personal stories about keeping promises, always doing what you say or promise, and what you do when no one is watching at all..makes you who you are.
Finding a Mentor and Becoming a Leader
Focusing on being the mentor for someone that you would want for yourself, Jim encourages the audience to surround themselves with the best people to bring out the best, and to in turn give themselves and others the best chance for success. Jim tells his own story of defeat while believing the wrong kind of people and shares about his successes while surrounded by key people who helped him believe in himself and pushed him to be the man he is today. Humorous and moving, you won't be disappointed.
Dream Makers
Speaking about chasing dreams, and being your best by surrounding yourself with the best mentors, Jim shares his memoirs and the dream makers who helped shaped his life. He incorporates client's requests seamlessly while entertaining the audience with self-deprecating humor. Jim shares his failures and successes in life while taking the audience on an emotional ride. Audiences of all ages will leave taking about Jim Morris and his inspirational message.