Bill Norman
Henry Willis Patrick Norman
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 2", Weight 190 lb.
- School Saint Louis University
- Debut August 8, 1931
- Final Game September 24, 1932
- Born July 16, 1910 in St. Louis, MO USA
- Died April 21, 1962 in Milwaukee, WI USA
Biographical Information[edit]
Bill Norman collected 2,105 hits (.304 BA) including 415 2B and 295 HR in the minor leagues between 1929 and 1946. He led the Texas League with 107 RBI in 1941, and led the American Association with 24 HR the next year.
He was a favorite of Bill Veeck, who employed Norman semi-regularly for most of his life after Norman tried to fudge his age as an outfielder with Veeck's minor league Milwaukee Brewers in the early 1940s.
Norman got his first managing job with the Toronto Maple Leafs, taking over for Harry Davis. In 1947, Norman started a 5-year run as manager of the Wilkes-Barre Barons, leading the team to the best record in the Eastern League in 1950 and 1951, and a league title in 1950. He became a coach for the St. Louis Browns in 1952, leaving in mid-1953 to manage the Browns' San Antonio Missions farm team. In 1954, he began the year managing the Detroit Tigers' farm team Little Rock Travelers, but was replaced by Stubby Overmire and scouted for the rest of the year and 1955 for the Tigers. In 1956 he managed the Terre Haute Tigers before moving to the Augusta Tigers in mid-year. He took over the Charleston Senators in mid-1957 and began 1958 with the club, before being summoned to Detroit to replace Jack Tighe. The club responded by playing .533 ball for Norman after playing at a .429 clip for Tighe. In 1959 the Tigers started 2-15 for Norman and he was replaced by Jimmy Dykes. Norman scouted for the Chicago White Sox from 1960 until 1962.
He was known by acquaintances as "Willie Card". This was mainly due to how much he enjoyed his foamy beverages, card-playing, and his colorful colloquialisms (or, merciless and ceaseless fracturing of the King's English).
He died in Milwaukee, WI, in April, 1962, while on a scouting assignment.
| Preceded by Jack Tighe |
Detroit Tigers Manager 1958-1959 |
Succeeded by Jimmy Dykes |
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