Jim Morris was originally selected in the 1983 amateur baseball draft by the Milwaukee Brewers, but suffered several arm injuries and was released in the 1987 season to the Chicago White Sox. Suffering more injuries, Morris retired to become a high school baseball coach.

In the spring of 1999, Morris made a promise to his team that he would try out for the MLB if his team won the District Championship, something his team had never accomplished before. His team won, and Morris attended the Tampa Bay Devil Rays tryout. Morris was able to throw 12 consecutive 98-mph fastballs, and signed a professional contract with the Devil Rays at the age of 35 making him the olderst "rookie" in the MLB. His story is the inspiration for the Disney movie "The Rookie." Morris made 16 major league appearances in 2000 with 13 strikeouts.