Mike Norris (baseball player)
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Michael Kelvin Norris (born March 19, 1955 in San Francisco, California) is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who played with the Oakland Athletics (1975-83, 1990).
Norris is best remembered for his spectacular 1980 season. He went 22-9 with 24 complete games and a 2.59 ERA, while also earning the Gold Glove Award. However, he was not awarded the American League Cy Young Award. Steve Stone of the Baltimore Orioles, who had a record of 25-7, was given the honor. Norris also placed 15th in the MVP voting.
In 1981, Norris posted a modest 12-9 record, again earning the Gold Glove Award and also earning an All-Star berth he was denied in 1980. Norris spun a complete game shutout in the first round of the playoffs against the Kansas City Royals and pitched well in the ALCS against the New York Yankees despite getting hit with a loss there.
Many believe that Billy Martin inflicted a heavy workload on Norris, which threw out his arm. He was never able to return to his former stature, and after the 1983 season, he played for the independent San Jose Bees. He made a brief comeback as a relief pitcher in 1990.
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[edit] Fact
- An addiction to cocaine shortened Norris's playing career. In 1999 he was diagnosed with cervical myelopathy, and had surgery in January 2000 at the California Pacific Medical Center. After recovering, Norris took up golf as a hobby.
- Norris was well-known for his distinctive green fielding glove.
[edit] Leaderboards
Some of Norris' notable finishes among AL pitchers:
- 2nd, ERA, 1980 (2.53)
- 2nd, wins, 1980 (22, also 7th in 1981 with 12)
- 5th, winning percentage, 1980 (.710)
- 2nd, innings, 1980 (284 1/3)
- 2nd, strikeouts, 1980 (180)
- 2nd, complete games, 1980 (24, also 4th in 1981 with 12)
- 1st, wild pitches, 1981 (14)
[edit] See also
- Billy Martin
- Steve McCatty, another A's pitcher similarly overworked by Martin, with brief success.
