Jim Norris
Born: 12/20/1948 in Brooklyn, NY, USA
MLB Debut: 1977-04-07 | Final Game: 1980-10-05
Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 175 lbs
Full name: James Francis Norris
Biography
Jim Norris, born in 1948, was a notable position player who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1977 to 1980. Over the course of his career, he played in 489 games, where he accumulated 338 hits and posted a batting average of .264. Known for his speed on the base paths, Norris demonstrated his agility by stealing 59 bases, contributing to his team's offensive strategies. His power at the plate was reflected in his 7 home runs and 110 RBIs, showcasing his ability to drive in runs during critical moments of the game.
Norris's career unfolded during a dynamic period in baseball history, marked by the transition from the high-scoring eras of the late 1960s and early 1970s to the more balanced approaches of the late 1970s. His playing style embodied the versatility and hustle that characterized many players of his time, as he consistently leveraged his speed and contact hitting to impact games in various ways. While not a superstar, Norris's contributions to his teams and his role as a reliable player highlighted the importance of all-around skill sets in the evolving landscape of Major League Baseball.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 489 | 1282 | 173 | 338 | 57 | 17 | 7 | 110 | 59 | 173 | 128 | 0.264 | 0.348 | 0.351 | 0.699 | -409.4 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | CLE | AL | 133 | 440 | 59 | 119 | 23 | 6 | 2 | 37 | 26 | 64 | 57 | 0.270 | 87.1 |
| 1978 | CLE | AL | 113 | 315 | 41 | 89 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 27 | 12 | 42 | 20 | 0.283 | 425.1 |
| 1979 | CLE | AL | 124 | 353 | 50 | 87 | 15 | 6 | 3 | 30 | 15 | 44 | 35 | 0.246 | -450.8 |
| 1980 | TEX | AL | 119 | 174 | 23 | 43 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 6 | 23 | 16 | 0.247 | -470.8 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 19 | 5 | 72 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| OF | 377 | 284 | 760 | 20 | 12 | 3 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | CLE | 1B | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1977 | CLE | OF | 124 | 115 | 320 | 9 | 6 | 1 |
| 1978 | CLE | 1B | 6 | 4 | 43 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 1978 | CLE | OF | 78 | 66 | 153 | 6 | 2 | 2 |
| 1979 | CLE | OF | 93 | 75 | 214 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 1980 | TEX | 1B | 10 | 1 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1980 | TEX | OF | 82 | 28 | 73 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 19 |
| Left Field | 83 |
| Center Field | 122 |
| Right Field | 187 |
| Designated Hitter | 32 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland | College Park | MD | 1968, 1969, 1970 |