Willie Norwood
Born: 11/7/1950 in Greene County, AL, USA
MLB Debut: 1977-04-21 | Final Game: 1980-10-04
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 185 lbs
Biography
Willie Norwood, born in 1950, was a professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball from 1977 to 1980. Primarily serving as a position player, Norwood appeared in 294 games throughout his career. He showcased a blend of speed and power, finishing with a batting average of .242, 207 hits, and 18 home runs. Known for his agility on the bases, he accumulated 41 stolen bases, demonstrating his ability to impact games with his speed.
Norwood's career unfolded during a transformative era in baseball, characterized by the emergence of more athletic players and the evolving strategies of the game. While he may not have been among the most prominent stars of his time, his contribution as a versatile player who could drive in runs—evidenced by his 93 RBIs—helped bolster his teams in crucial moments. Despite his relatively brief career, Norwood left a mark as a reliable player who exemplified the grit and determination of athletes during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 294 | 854 | 109 | 207 | 40 | 6 | 18 | 93 | 41 | 57 | 145 | 0.242 | 0.290 | 0.367 | 0.656 | -1399.9 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | MIN | AL | 39 | 83 | 15 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 17 | 0.229 | -154.6 |
| 1978 | MIN | AL | 125 | 428 | 56 | 109 | 22 | 3 | 8 | 46 | 25 | 28 | 64 | 0.255 | -403.7 |
| 1979 | MIN | AL | 96 | 270 | 32 | 67 | 13 | 3 | 6 | 30 | 9 | 20 | 51 | 0.248 | -350.6 |
| 1980 | MIN | AL | 34 | 73 | 6 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 0.164 | -491.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 231 | 203 | 475 | 11 | 21 | 1 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | MIN | OF | 28 | 18 | 59 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 1978 | MIN | OF | 115 | 106 | 227 | 7 | 14 | 1 |
| 1979 | MIN | OF | 71 | 64 | 147 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 1980 | MIN | OF | 17 | 15 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 104 |
| Center Field | 82 |
| Right Field | 52 |
| Designated Hitter | 42 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of La Verne | La Verne | CA | 1972 |