Garrett Boorojian and former Tampa Bay Devil Rays' Pitcher featured by Actor Dennis Quaid in Disney's The Rookie, Motivational Speaker, Book Author, Jim Morris

Garrett Boorojian and former Tampa Bay Devil Rays' Pitcher featured by Actor Dennis Quaid in Disney's The Rookie, Motivational Speaker, Book Author, Jim Morris

Author: Garrett Boorojian August 14, 2025 Duration: 57:13

Garrett Boorojian and Jim Morris discuss relationship building in a team environment.

https://www.mlb.com/news/featured/jim-morris-story-stars-dennis-quaid-in-the-rookie

https://www.jimtherookiemorris.com/

"Jim "The Rookie" Morris Bio

Jim Morris is no stranger to big dreams. Since he was five years old, he passionately yearned to play baseball in the major leagues. However, despite all his hard work and determination, a series of unfortunate events and injuries scuttled his career before he was twenty-five. Doctors told him he would never play again.

Then at age thirty-five—after a string of highly implausible events and at an age when most players are retiring—Morris found himself on the mound as a relief pitcher for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. His return to the game was so incredible that Disney made his story into a heartwarming film The Rookie with a stellar performance by Dennis Quaid. It was released to popular acclaim and was a huge box office success. It won the ESPY for Best Sports Movie in 2002 and the CAMIE award for Character and Morality in Entertainment.

​In addition to his distinguished career as a motivational speaker, Morris is also an accomplished author. His latest book, Dream Makers, picks up where The Rookie left off. This compelling memoir delves into the previously untold chapters of his life—from a turbulent relationship with his father and a relentless struggle with pain and addiction to the profound mentorship of his wise and loving grandfather. With unwavering resolve and deep faith, Morris overcame every tribulation. Dream Makers underscores the transformative power of surrounding yourself with the best and most accomplished people, inspiring readers to overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.

​Over the course of his career, Morris has participated in prestigious events such as The Million Dollar Round Table, not once but twice, solidifying his reputation as a distinguished speaker.

In 2008, Morris received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation, recognizing his dedication to making a positive impact on young lives. His passion for helping others extends beyond the stage—he founded his own non-profit, which is dedicated to helping children in underserved communities find hope and inspiration through participation in sports.

Through his words and actions, Morris continues to uplift and empower individuals around the globe, leaving a lasting legacy of encouragement and support."


Garrett Boorojian hosts WaveCapital's Guest Speaker Series on Relationship Building in a Team Environment, a podcast that digs into the human dynamics behind high-stakes success. Each conversation moves beyond typical interviews to explore how trust, communication, and genuine connection are forged under pressure. The guest list is a testament to the universal application of these principles, featuring Hall of Fame athletes from football, basketball, and baseball, Olympic medalists, Emmy-winning media figures, and top coaches and executives. These are individuals for whom "team" is not a corporate buzzword but the fundamental mechanism of achievement. You'll hear firsthand accounts of navigating locker rooms, boardrooms, and creative collaborations. The discussions are grounded in real stories-from the tension before a championship game to the delicate negotiations of a major business deal-revealing the practical methods these professionals use to build cohesive units. This isn't abstract theory; it's lived experience dissected to uncover what actually works. Whether you're leading a sports team, a business department, or any collaborative project, this podcast offers a rare look at the relational craftsmanship required to excel. Garrett guides these explorations with a focus on actionable insight, making each episode a masterclass in the subtle art of working with others.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

WaveCapital's Guest Speaker Series on Relationship Building in a Team Environment
Podcast Episodes
Garrett Boorojian and Women's Pro Baseball League Co-Founder, Counsel at Dentons, former Counsel at Heenan Blaikie, former Corporate Counsel at Toyota Canada, Canadian businessman who met with John F. Kennedy Jr. before JFK Jr.'s passing, Keith Stein [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:32
Women's Pro Baseball League Co-Founder Keith Stein:Served as Corporate Counsel for Toyota Canada, learned Japanese, and "created a Japanese North American Friendship Foundation for Young Professionals."Served as "the rig…
Garrett Boorojian and Bloomberg News Political Contributor, Political Science / International Studies Professor at Iona University, Visiting Fellow at Harvard Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, Author, Pollster, Jeanne Sheehan Zaino [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:38
Garrett Boorojian and Jeanne Sheehan Zaino discuss relationship building in a team environment.Garrett and Dr. Zaino, who's a Bloomberg News contributor, an Iona University political science and international studies pro…
Garrett Boorojian and Chief Content, Communications, and Marketing Officer at the Clinton Foundation and Clinton Global Initiative; Founder and President of Minassian Media; Assistant Press Secretary in the Clinton – Gore White House, Craig Minassian [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:38
Garrett Boorojian and Craig Minassian discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://www.clintonfoundation.org/about-the-clinton-foundation/leadership#leadership-team/"CRAIG MINASSIANCHIEF CONTENT, COMMUNICA…
Garrett Boorojian and Chief Service Officer in the Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom, former Mayor of Novato (California) and City Council Member, former U.S. Navy Lt. Commander (JAG Corps), 2026 Lt. Governor Candidate (CA), Josh Fryday [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:40
Garrett Boorojian and Josh Fryday discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://serve.ca.gov/josh-fryday-bio/"Josh FrydayGO-Serve Director and California Chief Service OfficerAs a member of the Governor Gav…
Garrett Boorojian and Founder of DC Student Defense, former Assistant U.S. Attorney and Counsel to former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, CNN Legal Analyst, Alumnus of Vassar College, Sarah Lawrence College, and Georgetown Law Center, Shanlon Wu [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:40
Garrett Boorojian and Shanlon Wu discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://www.shanlonwu.com/about/"About Shan WuShanlon “Shan” Wu is a Washington, D.C.-based lawyer whose practice areas include white-c…
Garrett Boorojian and 4x Pro–Bowler, 2x All–Pro, 1999 AFC Champion, Super Bowl 34 Runner–up, Ball State Athletics Hall of Famer, Tennessee Sports Hall of Famer, Indiana Sports Hall of Famer, Senior Bowl Hall of Famer, Radio Co–Host, Blaine Bishop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:22
Garrett Boorojian and Blaine Bishop discuss relationship building in a team environment.Blaine was a 4x Pro–Bowler and 2x All–Pro (1995, Pro Football Writers; 2000, Associated Press).Note: During my interview with Blaine…
Garrett Boorojian and Podcast Host of The Social Contract with Joe Walsh, former U.S. Congressman (R–IL), former Tea Party Movement Activist, former friend and political mentor of the late Charlie Kirk, Book Author, Democrat, Joe Walsh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:52
Garrett Boorojian and Joe Walsh discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-social-contract-with-joe-walsh/id1590913798"The Social Contract with Joe WalshAboutAmerica, we…
Garrett Boorojian and 1995 National Champion (Assistant, UCLA), OVC and SEC Coach of the Year, 438 NCAA Division I Wins (Head Coach, Murray State, Alabama, NC State, Cal State Northridge), Leadership and Motivational Coach, Podcaster, Mark Gottfried [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:01
Garrett Boorojian and Mark Gottfried discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://www.coachmarkgottfried.com/meet-mark"Hi, I’m Mark. Let’s Talk About What It Means to “Get It Done.”For more than three deca…
Garrett Boorojian and Partner at Pinnacle Collective Public Affairs, former Special Assistant to former President Joe Biden and former Chief Speech Writer to former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, former Senior Advisor in the U.S. Senate, Kristin Lynch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:13
Garrett Boorojian and Kristin Lynch discuss relationship building in a team environment.As the former Special Assistant to former President Joe Biden and former Chief Speechwriter to former First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Kri…
Garrett Boorojian and Associate Professor of Surgery (Vascular) at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Vascular Surgery Fellow at Stanford Health Care, Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer at Major Medical Devices, Anahita Dua [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:52
Garrett Boorojian and Anahita Dua discuss relationship building in a team environment.https://www.massgeneral.org/doctors/20714/anahita-dua"About Anahita Dua, MDDr. Dua is an Associate Professor of Surgery at the Massach…