Charlie Morton just reached 2,000 innings at age 40. How did he hold up when so many pitchers fail?

Six months after his 40th birthday, Morton is still going strong with a 3-0 record and a 3.14 ERA this season. He has 40 strikeouts against 14 walks in 43 innings, an average of more than six innings in seven starts.

The only other active pitchers to reach 2,000 career innings are Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer and former Houston teammate Justin Verlander – all three are likely headed to the Hall of Fame.

“It’s a lot,” Morton said after a 4-2 win over the New York Mets. “I also racked up a few innings in the minor leagues, so I feel like that’s something to be proud of.”

His consistency early on, including a 1.73 ERA while compiling four straight quality starts, was key for a Braves team that was missing No. 1 starter Spencer Strider, sidelined by elbow surgery for the remainder of the season after leading the majors in wins and strikeouts last year. .

Morton has certainly suffered his fair share of injuries throughout his checkered professional career since he was drafted 22 years ago by the Braves out of Joel Barlow High School in Connecticut.

But here he is, a two-time All-Star, still throwing 95-96 mph at age 40 and throwing deep in games against the best hitters in the world.

“He amazes me every time he goes,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said, “2,000 innings and that ball still comes out of his hand like that.”

So, in an era where so many pitchers are injured, how has Morton held on for so long after breaking into the big leagues in 2008?

“I was allowed to throw a lot of pitches. I was fortunate that my body was resilient enough to do it,” he said. “And really, what I tell guys is, eventually you learn how to throw without pain. Because pain is a good indicator that you’re doing something. wrong in your delivery.

Morton pitched seven magnificent innings against the Mets, allowing one run and three hits with seven strikeouts and one walk. He threw 99 pitches, 65 of which were strikes.

“I feel good, especially at the beginning,” Morton said. “Whereas before I felt good probably until the fourth or fifth inning, now it’s kind of like around the third inning, it’s like I have to get a little crafty. But it’s that early It’s the beginning of May, so I’m still in good shape, my legs are a little taller.

The right-hander improved to 133-113 overall with the Braves, Pirates, Phillies, Astros and Rays. He is also 7-5 with a 3.60 ERA in 18 postseason games, including a World Series victory in relief when he got the final 12 outs for Houston in the clinching game against the Dodgers in 2017 .

During the 2021 World Series with Atlanta, he even threw 16 pitches and got three outs – two by strikeout – after being hit by a hard comebacker that ultimately knocked him out of Game 1 against Houston with a broken right leg. .

Because his curveball is so good, Morton said that sometimes he becomes predictable and has to remind himself on the mound: “Come on Chuck, throw a heater.” »

But his decisive arguments were the key to success at the end of his career.

“I became a bit of a show-off. You know, I lose a lot of speed. And surprisingly, there are times when my heating plays,” Morton said. “I think my delivery has improved a lot with time and being on good teams. Being on teams with guys who care about each other and coaches who are great. I have a wonderful, supportive family and friends.

“Honestly, I think just practicing and throwing the ball the right way.”

Morton trains at a performance and fitness center in Florida called Athletic Edge during the offseason, rebuilding each winter.

“Most things hurt at this point. But I mean, I was able to throw. I was able to perfect my workouts. I was able to learn my flexibility to a degree that I think is pretty good,” he said. “I mean, I’m 40 years old. I know I’m not a spring chicken anymore.

And after all these innings and all these successes, there is reason to be proud – and grateful.

“Going through multiple surgeries in a short period of time, probably four or five surgeries in four or five years, I think things like that, where I was kind of like patting myself on the back a little bit, it’s like, yeah, you kind of managed to do it,” Morton said.

“But then I think looking back, I just think I was blessed. I think I was lucky. I think a lot of things went my way even though I sometimes perceived as no. And now, I mean, I’m 20 years later. And shoot, I can still throw the ball hard. So, I think. it’s just luck, a lot of it staying relatively healthy and having time and a little grace to figure some things out.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb