Orioles' Charlie Morton moves ahead of Randy Johnson on infamous list

Longevity is often underappreciated, especially in the sports world. Reaching the professional level of any sport is a challenging accomplishment, let alone maintaining a lengthy career. It requires a certain combination of health, talent and luck. 

Longevity has always been one of the few things that makes Charlie Morton stand out.

The veteran right-hander doesn't have one particular pitch that he's known for. He is rarely mentioned among the sport's premier arms. Only once in his 18-year career has he even received consideration for the Cy Young Award (finishing third in voting in 2019). 

This offseason, the Baltimore Orioles needed to add starting pitching to their roster. The need was apparent even before they allowed Corbin Burnes to depart in free agency for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Baltimore's answer was to sign two pitchers on the free agent market — both seasoned veterans, both agreeing to one-year deals. 

Tomoyuki Sugano has been a welcome addition to the Orioles rotation. The Japanese standout has a 3.38 ERA (111 ERA+) through his first 14 starts, covering 80.0 IP. He's already totaled 1.5 WAR on the year. 

Morton, however, has been mired in an awful season that would rank among the worst of his lengthy career. He's made 16 appearances, including 10 starts, with a 6.05 ERA (62 ERA+) and 1.656 WHIP through 61.0 IP on the year (entering play on Thursday). 

Morton did achieve something notable on Thursday, however. 

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Jose Caballero led off the third inning against the Orioles, with Morton on the mound. Caballero fouled off a pair of pitches, took a ball high, and then was hit by a curveball in the left foot. It marked the 191st time Morton hit a batter in his career, moving him ahead of Hall of Fame left-hander Randy Johnson for fifth all-time. 

The four players ahead of Morton (Gus Weyhing, Chick Fraser, Pink Hawley and Walter Johnson) all played in the early years of the sport, between 1890-1920. Johnson (205 HBP) is the next legend Morton will chase. 

Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale (44th, 126 HBP) is the next active player on the list, but he trails Morton by a wide margin.