Jim Morris, also known as "The Rookie," is a former American professional baseball player and current motivational speaker. He was born on January 19, 1964, in Brownwood, Texas, USA. Jim Morris had a promising baseball career in high school, but a shoulder injury forced him to give up his dream of playing professionally. He later became a high school science teacher and baseball coach, but continued to play in local recreational leagues. In 1999, at the age of 35, Jim Morris made a bet with his high school baseball team that he would try out for a Major League Baseball team if they won their district championship. To his surprise, they did, and he followed through on his promise, trying out for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He impressed the scouts with his fastball, and was offered a contract to play for the team's minor league affiliate. Jim Morris went on to play in the major leagues for two seasons, with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1999 and the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2000. He retired from baseball in 2001 due to injuries. Since retiring from baseball, Jim Morris has become a popular motivational speaker, sharing his story of perseverance and following one's dreams. His life story was the inspiration for the 2002 Disney film "The Rookie," in which he was portrayed by Dennis Quaid.