Miami Marlins: Interview with Logan Morrison During Rehab Stint with Suns

June 29, 2011; Oakland, CA, USA; Florida Marlins left fielder Logan Morrison (20) salutes to the sky while crossing home plate after hitting a home run against the Oakland Athletics during the fourth inning at the O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports

Logan Morrison has become an underrated asset and an overly criticized member of the Miami Marlins. Fans seem to forget the promise that LoMo has shown in his first few seasons in the majors, when he is 100% healthy. The first baseman’s return from his knee surgery from last season is imminent.

Morrison has been rehabbing with the Jacksonville Suns to tune up for his return to the major leagues. With the Suns visiting Region Field to take on the Birmingham Barons, I had an opportunity to attend the game and see LoMo in action. After the game, I was able to catch up with him for an interview.

After Morrison’s big game, in which he went 2-for-4 with his second homer of the rehab stint, LoMo was in a joyous mood about the Suns big win and ready to talk Marlins baseball.

When I first met Logan in the hallway, I shook his hand and asked him if he was ready to return to the Marlins on Monday. Morrison responded, “Yes, they need all the help they can get.” This is very true, as the Marlins record currently sits at an MLB worst, 16-44. Morrison’s return should coincide with the return of right fielder Giancarlo Stanton as well. That is plenty of help on it’s way.

I asked LoMo what it was like missing an entire season and if he was ready to return to the majors? He replied, “It’s always a blessing to play with the best of the best. Playing baseball is something I want to do until they till me I cannot do it anymore.” Morrison reiterated that he missed playing in the majors and he loves to play with some of the top players in the game.

Morrison has a strong section of supporters on Twitter as well as many fans that don’t appreciate his tone of manner there. I asked him if the time off gave him a chance to calm down some of his brash comments on the social media outlet. I also asked him if his injury situation had humbled him a bit. Morrison gave a nice honest answer, “I never considered myself cocky, arrogant, or anything like that. On Twitter, I like to joke around with people and have some fun. If some people don’t like it, that’s too bad.” He also added, “if this game has not already humbled you, I don’t know what will.”

While on the Suns, Morrison has had a chance to play with two of the Marlins top prospects, Christian Yelich and Jake Marisnick, I asked him about his thoughts on those two. Morrison was quick to point out, “I think they feed off of each other and have bright futures ahead of them.”

Finally, I tried to bait LoMo a little bit with a question regarding owner Jeffery Loria. Wisely, Morrison avoided the bait and responded with a nice “no comment on that subject.”

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Really appreciated Logan taking some time out to do this interview. I think too many people have mislabeled Morrison as a bad person. He seemed genuine in his responses and sounds like a mature individual. To me it seems that LoMo has a good head on his shoulders and that is a great deal due to his late father, as Suns play-by-play commentator Rodger Hoover pointed out when I talked to him a little after speaking to Logan.

I am for one pumped to see Logan getting another shot with the Marlins. Morrison has shown some promise as a strong hitter with good plate discipline in his rookie season and showed off some of his power in his sophomore season. If he can remain healthy for the duration of 2013, I see no reason for him not to put together a combination of both those seasons.

I will have my interview with right fielder Kyle Jensen up either later today or tomorrow. Be sure to check that out as well.