Jack Morris enjoyed broadcasting Blue Jays games last summer, but he got to return to his Minnesota home for only three days. That made an opening on the Twins' TV and radio crew too enticing to pass up.

"Being home was the most important thing to me," said Morris, who lives with his wife and 9-year-old son in suburban St. Paul. "It was hard to leave Toronto, they were great to me. But I couldn't be away that long."

Morris will appear on 25 telecasts during Bert Blyleven's time off this year, and he will do pregame and postgame shows for Fox Sports North the rest of the time, essentially filling the role that Ron Coomer held before leaving last month for the Chicago Cubs. He will also host the Ron Gardenhire show with Kris Atteberry each Sunday on KTWN (96.3-FM).

Morris was in the news earlier this month when he failed to be elected to the Hall of Fame for the 15th and final time on the baseball writers' ballot.

"I accept it. I'm just relieved that part is over. I was sick of going through that every year," said the 1991 World Series MVP. "I'm proud of what I did. I never went out and campaigned. People have their opinion, and that's great. It's America — we have the right to disagree."

PHIL MILLER