Norm Branch
Born: 3/22/1915 in Spokane, WA, USA
Died: 11/21/1971 in Navasota, TX, USA
MLB Debut: 1941-05-05 | Final Game: 1942-08-20
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'3" | Weight: 200 lbs
Full name: Norman Downs Branch
Biography
Norm Branch, born in 1915, was a professional baseball pitcher whose career spanned from 1941 to 1942. He made his mark in the early 1940s, a time when the sport was significantly impacted by World War II, which led to many players leaving for military service. Branch's tenure in Major League Baseball was brief but noteworthy, as he compiled a career record of 5-2 with a 3.73 earned run average (ERA) over his time on the mound. His ability to strike out batters was evident, as he recorded 41 strikeouts and demonstrated effectiveness in high-pressure situations, earning 4 saves during his career.
Branch's playing style was characterized by a competitive spirit and a strong work ethic, qualities that resonated with fans during an era when the game was evolving amidst global challenges. Though his career was short-lived, Norm Branch remains a part of the rich tapestry of baseball history, remembered for his contributions to the game during a turbulent time in American history.
Career Pitching Statistics
| W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | HR | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 2 | 37 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 62.7 | 55 | 26 | 5 | 42 | 41 | 3.73 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Pitching
| Year | Team | Lg | W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | NYY | AL | 5 | 1 | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 47.0 | 37 | 15 | 26 | 28 | 2.87 | - |
| 1942 | NYY | AL | 0 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 15.7 | 18 | 11 | 16 | 13 | 6.32 | - |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0.077 | 0.143 | 0.077 | 0.220 | 0.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | NYY | AL | 27 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 1942 | NYY | AL | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.333 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 37 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | NYA | P | 27 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 1942 | NYA | P | 10 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | 37 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Texas at Austin | Austin | TX | 1934, 1935, 1936 |