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Jim Morris (The Rookie)

Inspiration for the Film The Rookie

Jim Morris (The Rookie)
  • Former high school teacher turned famous MLB pitcher
  • Inspiration for “The Rookie,” voted by Sports Illustrated as one of the greatest baseball films ever made
  • Uses his Cinderella story to inspire and empower audiences to chase their dreams
Fees
Local
Under $10,000*
US West
$10,000 - $20,000*
US East
$10,000 - $20,000*

* This specific fee falls within this range. Ranges are presented as a guideline only. Speaker fees are subject to change without notice. For an exact quote, please contact your Leading Authorities representative.

Location/Travels From: Texas
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Jim Morris (The Rookie)

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About Jim Morris (The Rookie)

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Jim “The Rookie” Morris is a remarkable individual whose journey from high school science teacher and coach in West Texas to Major League Baseball pitcher is nothing short of inspiring. At the age of 35, Jim defied the odds and made it to the big leagues, a story that captured the world’s attention and was immortalized in the Disney movie The Rookie, starring Dennis Quaid.

Jim spent two seasons with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, reaching speeds up to 102 mph, but he chose to retire to focus on raising his children. Since then, Jim has been a motivational speaker, traveling around the globe to inspire audiences to follow their dreams and never give up. He shares his story and lessons learned in his book, Dream Makers: Surround Yourself with the Best to Be Your Best, where he highlights the people who helped him along his journey—his Dream Makers.

In addition to his career as a motivational speaker, Jim has earned numerous accolades, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation and a CAMIE Award for Character and Morality in Entertainment for The Rookie. His philanthropic work includes involvement with organizations such as BCFS, Arms of Hope, and the Texas Youth Commission, as well as the creation of his own foundation in 2015 to support underserved communities and children.

Jim and his wife, Shawna, have raised five children and live near San Antonio, continuing to lead lives filled with inspiration, service, and dedication to helping others.

 

 

 

 Imagine having a regular guy like Tom Hanks over to your house for a cup of coffee
and you’ll have a good idea of what to expect from this dynamic speaker and
storyteller. Jim draws lessons from his own life experience to inspire others to
become mentors and leaders in their own lives and to chase their dreams. His rare
quality of being a great entertainer and his sincere personality makes him a
compelling speaker to audiences of all types. Audiences are also charmed by his
sense of humor and comedic timing as well. On a regular basis, customers will
comment, “Jim is the best speaker that we’ve ever had,” or ask “how are we going to
top this next year?” Jim has participated in such prestigious speaking events as The
Million Dollar Round Table, numerous other speaker showcases, and he is also the
author of “The Rookie.”
Jim is particularly good at weaving the needs of his customers into his presentation.
He receives standing ovations from audiences wherever he goes. Despite his
enormous success as a speaker, he has remained genuine and developed a
reputation of integrity. He is an approachable guy who makes sure everyone desiring
an autograph or photo gets their chance and enjoys listening to their own story.
A schoolteacher by trade, Jim is a loveable storyteller who captivates and inspires
others to step up and change their lives. His Cinderella story serves as testimony to
the power of dreams and their ability to inspire and transform human life. Jim’s
meteoric rise from 35 year old high school teacher to flame throwing major league
pitcher in 3 months made cinematic history with the release of “The Rookie”
starring Dennis Quaid. This heartwarming and unforgettable Disney blockbuster
about chasing your dreams and keeping your promises won the ESPY for Sports Film
of the Year. Sports Illustrated also voted it one of the five greatest baseball films
ever made. Let it be said that Jim Morris the speaker is more entertaining than the
legendary film about his life.
Since 2002, people around the world have experienced the inspirational and
motivational life story of Jim Morris. “The Rookie” will impress your group large or
small, and keep them talking about their experience for years to come.

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We all have dream makers and dream killers in our lives. Learning to differentiate between the two is essential to unlocking our fullest potential. Discover how to identify these influences and intentionally surround yourself with the best people possible to become the best version of yourself. Join Jim as he takes you through his life story, sharing how both dream makers and dream killers have shaped him into the man he is today. This popular presentation captivates audiences, guiding them on an emotional journey—moving from laughter to tears and back again. Experience inspiration and motivation at its finest in this unforgettable presentation!

“Remember who you are” is more than just a phrase—it’s a guiding principle that emphasizes integrity as the cornerstone of every aspect of life. In this talk, Jim shares personal anecdotes that reveal the profound impact of living by one’s values. He discusses the importance of keeping promises, consistently aligning actions with words, and acting honorably even when no one is watching. These experiences underscore that the true measure of character lies in how you behave when you’re unobserved. Jim’s journey was profoundly influenced by a simple yet powerful reminder he heard daily from his mentor and grandfather: “remember who you are.” This constant refrain served as a moral compass, encouraging him to uphold his integrity regardless of external pressures. By sharing these intimate stories, Jim illustrates how staying true to yourself can shape your destiny and inspire others to do the same. His life stands as a testament to the idea that embracing your true self—especially when it’s most challenging—can lead to genuine success and lasting fulfillment.

In “Finding a Mentor and Becoming a Leader,” Jim focuses on being the mentor of high integrity and character for others that you would want for yourself. By helping others achieve their dreams and surrounding yourself with inspirational people, you create the best chance for success for everyone. Jim tells his own story of defeat while believing the wrong kind of people, and shares about his successes while surrounded by key people who helped him believe in himself and pushed him to be the man he is today. “Finding a Mentor and Becoming a Leader” will bring your audience along for an entertaining ride of self-reflection and inspiration to be your best and help others along the way.

“Please pass along to Jim a HUGE thank you from myself and all of KSBA. Immediately following his session I was flooded with feedback about how great the session was. He was truly inspirational and a perfect fit for our group.”

Kentucky School Board Association

“I know in times like these, everything is so much harder and I can only imagine how hard it would be to speak to a group with no audience to see or get feedback from, yet he did a fantastic job.”

Laura Cole | Director of Board Team Development - Kentucky School Board Association

Jim was GREAT. Fantastic motivation personally and to the whole team. Many thanks for coming and sharing your story. 

Worldplay

I wanted to thank you for being here this week and sharing your story with our team. The genuineness in how you shared not only your story but your life’s experience deeply touched many of our employees, including me. 

BF Saul Company

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