At 40 years old, former Atlanta Braves veteran Charlie Morton is still toeing the rubber in big league ballparks, still carving through lineups, and still leaning on a breaking ball that’s been his calling card for nearly two decades. He’s not flashy. He’s not a perennial All-Star.
Outside of a third-place Cy Young finish in 2019, he’s rarely been at the center of the pitching conversation. But here he is, 18 years in, passing names in the record books—sometimes in the oddest of ways.
The Quiet Climb to a Loud Milestone
On Thursday, Morton quietly passed a Hall of Famer in one of baseball’s more eyebrow-raising categories. With a curveball hitting Rays shortstop Jose Caballero in the foot, Morton tallied his 191st career hit-by-pitch, moving him past Randy Johnson for fifth on the all-time list.
Let that sink in. Morton now stands behind only Gus Weyhing, Chick Fraser, Pink Hawley, and Walter Johnson—all pitchers from the pre-radio days of baseball. This isn’t a fluke. This is longevity in a stat that, believe it or not, reflects a pitcher who’s never been afraid to work the inside edge. Or miss it.
No one’s going to celebrate an HBP crown. But it’s a testament to how long Morton’s been in the game, how often he’s been entrusted with a start, and how much mileage he’s gotten out of being steady—even if occasionally painful for opposing hitters.
A Tough Season, But a Bigger Picture
It’s also worth noting: this hasn’t been Morton’s finest year. Through 17 appearances (11 starts), his ERA sits at 5.64, and his WHIP has ballooned to 1.597. Those numbers would rank among the worst in his career, including his early years when he was still a big leaguer.
His command has wavered, and he’s not missing bats the way he once did. That’s a tough pill to swallow for any competitor. It is even more so for one who’s maintained a standard of consistency for so long. It’s fair to wonder how many more starts he’ll get—whether with Baltimore or anywhere else.
The Veteran Arm in a Rebuilding Rotation
The Orioles brought Morton in, hoping he could be a reliable, innings-eating veteran presence in a young rotation. Alongside Tomoyuki Sugano, who’s been solid with a 3.38 ERA and 1.5 WAR so far, Morton was supposed to bring stability. Instead, he’s struggled to find rhythm while Sugano has found his stride.
Still, Morton’s presence isn’t just about ERA or strikeout rates. It’s about leadership. Experience. Perspective. And yes—even the kinds of quirky milestones that remind us this guy has been around.
Whether or not he turns his season around or gets another year after this one, Charlie Morton’s career isn’t defined by the 2024 numbers. It’s defined by staying power in a sport where careers are short, patience is shorter, and legacies can be written quietly—in curveballs, comebacks, and yes, the occasional hit-by-pitch. Fifth all-time and is still throwing.
