Books and articles about Fred Norman

The 5'8" 155-lb Norman took a long time to stick, always having to prove a little more to make up for his stature. He pitched in 14 cities in his first 11 pro seasons, and it wasn't until 1972-73 with San Diego that he started two consecutive seasons in the same city. The Padres didn't have many good pitchers, and they stuck with him after acquiring him in June 1971 despite his 3-12 record; his 3.33 ERA for San Diego showed that he wasn't pitching that poorly. He went 9-11, 3.44 in 1972, his first full season in the majors, and six of his wins were shutouts, third in the NL. When Norman started 1973 1-7, Cincinnati, always short of solid pitching, acquired him for almost nothing. He went 12-6 the rest of the way to help the Reds to a second consecutive division championship. He pitched one-run ball for five innings in Game Four of the NLCS as the Reds won in twelve innings.

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Norman went on to have five straight winning seasons for the Reds, including a 12-4, 3.73 record in 1975 followed by 12-7, 3.10 in 1976. He got his sole postseason victory in the 1975 LCS, winning Game Two 6-1. In 1978, he set a since-broken ML record by making 31 starts without a complete game. After going 11-13 for the Reds in 1979, he closed out his career as a relief pitcher and spot starter for the Expos. (SH)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » September 15, 1972: In a record setting effort, the Reds and Padres combine for 28 strikeouts for a nine inning game, the Padres winning 1–0, on Cito Gaston's 4th inning homer. Winning P Fred Norman strikes out 15, while Don Gullett fans 11 Pads. Pedro Borbon notches the other 2. » June 15, 1973: Fred Norman quickly pays dividends to the Reds by shutting out the Pirates, 6–0, in his first start for Cincinnati. » June 19, 1973: The Reds Pete Rose (single versus the Giants) and the Dodgers Willie Davis (HR versus the Braves) each collect their 2,000th career hit. Pistol Pete's comes in a 4–0 win over the Giants, as Fred Norman pitches his 2nd shutout in a row for the Reds. » June 23, 1973: Newly acquired Fred Norman almost picks up his 3rd shutout in three starts for the Reds, but gives up a 2-out 9th inning homer to Ron Cey. The Reds still beat the Dodgers, 4–1. » September 19, 1973: In San Francisco, Fred Norman pitches a 2-hitter as the Reds beat the Giants, 5–1. » May 7, 1974: At Riverfront Stadium, the Reds Fred Norman strikes out 13 Cardinals, but loses, 1–0. The Birds score their only run in the 9th on Norman's throwing error. » April 17, 1976: In Cincinnati, as the "Game of the Week" between the Reds and the Giants is about to be televised, a swarm of bees attacks the field between 3B and home, causing a 35-minute delay. Two fans, familiar with bees, coax the swarm into a cardboard box. Fred Norman then buzzes the Giants, 11–0, on four hits. » June 22, 1976: Fred Norman pitches a 4-hitter as the Reds beat the visiting Dodgers, 6–0. » July 21, 1976: The Mets lose to the Reds 4–0 on Fred Norman's 4-hitter. » June 3, 1977: The Reds Fred Norman pitches a 2-hit shutout to beat the Astros, 4–0. Norman walks eight and uses 153 pitches in the win. » June 10, 1977: Tony Perez makes his first return to Cincinnati wearing an Expo uniform, but the Reds prevail over Montreal, 13–1. Fred Norman is the winner. » July 28, 1980: At Montreal, the Expos beat the Reds, 5–4, with Fred Norman getting the win over Mario Soto. Ron LeFlore of the Expos steals his 62nd base in the 7th inning and the Montreal scoreboard notes that the first SB was 115 years earlier. As LeFlore stands off base reading the message, he is tagged out.