Jack Morris finally fulfilled his boyhood dream of pitching in a Minnesota Twins uniform.
Morris grew up in the Twin Cities but found success as a major-league pitcher with the Detroit Tigers. In 14 seasons for Detroit, Morris was 198-150 and the winningest pitcher of the 1980s.He wanted to be with the Twins a few years ago, but that's when collusion was a problem.
This time, Morris made it home and will be paid $3 million in 1991 to pitch for the Twins. He also has two option years that could bring $7 million more.
Morris made his debut Saturday when he started against Texas at Fort Myers, Fla., and gave up one run and four hits in three innings as the Rangers beat the Twins 4-2 in a rain-shortened game.
The Twins are hoping Morris can help them rebound from a last-place finish in the AL West.
"I want to fit in," Morris said. "I'm not a savior. I just want to contribute to a winning cause."
Meanwhile, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Don Mattingly gave the New York Yankees some reason to smile as he hit a three-run homer in an 8-3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.
In Dunedin, Fla., Guillermo Hernandez, started his comeback with one inning for Philadelphia against Toronto. Hernandez, the American League MVP with Detroit in 1984, pitched one inning and gave up no runs and two hits. He is in the Phillies camp as a non-roster invitee.
The Blue Jays beat the Phillies 5-1 as newcomer Roberto Alomar and John Olerud homered.
In Tempe, Ariz., Todd Van Poppel, Oakland's top draft pick last season, was the starter and loser as the Seattle Mariners beat the A's 4-1.
The New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers were rained out in Port St. Lucie, Fla., but Orel Hershiser was able to get some work in.
"Everything went well," said Hershiser, who is on the rebound from shoulder surgery. "The shoulder felt fine."
In other spring training developments on Saturday:
- Cincinnati right-hander Jack Armstrong, who walked out of camp Tuesday in a contract dispute, met with Reds owner Marge Schott but continued his boycott of spring training. Armstrong was fined another $500 Saturday, increasing his total fines to $1,500 since Thursday's mandatory reporting date.
- Cincinnati extended general manager Bob Quinn's contract one-year, through the 1992 season.
- Atlanta pitcher John Smoltz, who did not appear in camp Friday or Saturday after the Braves renewed his contract, is expected to return Sunday.
- San Francisco's Kevin Mitchell, who homered in Friday's exhibition opener, was scratched Saturday because of a strained rib cartilage. The Giants also announced that rookie Mike Benjamin will undergo tests Monday because of a sore shoulder.