Dan Norman – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Dan Norman wrapped up his professional baseball career in 1982 after five seasons in Major League Baseball. His journey started with promise in the Cincinnati Reds organization.

The right fielder from Los Angeles played his last game on September 29, 1982, with the Montreal Expos against the Philadelphia Phillies. That game capped off a career that spanned the National League East and included time with the New York Mets.

Norman’s career stats show a player who never quite found steady success at the top level. He finished with a .227 batting average, 11 home runs, and 37 RBIs in 192 games. He reached the majors as part of one of baseball’s most controversial trades, landing with the Mets along with three other players in exchange for Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver. Fans called it “The Midnight Massacre.”

From his early days at Barstow College to his rise through the minors and his final season with Montreal, Norman’s story really highlights the challenges faced by many talented players who make it to the majors but can’t quite stick as everyday contributors.

His career gives us a glimpse into just how competitive pro baseball can be. The line between making it and falling short is razor thin.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Dan Norman’s road to Major League Baseball started in Southern California. He worked on his baseball skills from childhood all the way through college.

He went from the desert community of Barstow straight to the Cincinnati Reds’ draft board in 1974.

Childhood and Background

Daniel Edmund Norman was born January 11, 1955, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in Barstow, a desert town in San Bernardino County.

Barstow gave Norman his first real taste of organized baseball. The town sits along historic Route 66 and acts as a transit hub, but for Norman, it was where he built the foundation for his athletic career.

Those early years in Barstow shaped how he approached the game. The desert setting and tight-knit community helped build his work ethic and determination.

These traits proved essential as he chased his professional baseball dreams.

High School Years

Norman attended Kennedy High School in Barstow, where he played baseball and started to turn heads with his athletic ability.

His high school career marked the start of his growth as a serious baseball prospect.

At Kennedy, Norman played several positions and showed off the versatility that would define his pro career. College scouts started to notice his performance.

Barstow’s desert location created unique challenges for high school baseball. Wind and heat were always factors, and Norman learned to adapt—something that would help him later on.

College Baseball at Barstow Community College

After high school, Norman stayed close to home and played at Barstow Community College. The local junior college gave him the chance to keep developing his skills.

At Barstow Community College, Norman worked on his outfield play. His college stats were strong enough to catch the eye of pro scouts, especially from the Cincinnati Reds.

The Reds picked Norman in the 15th round of the 1974 MLB June Amateur Draft while he was still at Barstow. That draft selection ended his amateur days and kicked off his pro journey.

Norman’s time at Barstow was crucial for his development. Competing at the junior college level got him ready for the grind of pro baseball and helped him mature as both a player and person.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Dan Norman’s pro baseball life stretched from 1974 to 1987. The Cincinnati Reds picked him in the 15th round of the draft, and he made his MLB debut with the New York Mets in 1977.

He finished his MLB career with the Montreal Expos in 1982, posting a .227 average with 11 home runs in 192 games.

Draft by Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds drafted Dan Norman in the 15th round of the 1974 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Barstow Community College. He was the 357th pick that year.

Norman signed with the Reds and kicked off his pro career with the Billings Mustangs in the Pioneer League. In his rookie season, he hit .297 with a .441 slugging percentage over 68 games.

He moved up through the Reds’ farm system over the next three years. In 1975, he played for the Tampa Tarpons, batting .273 in 129 games.

The next year, he played for the Trois-Rivières Aigles in the Eastern League and kept up his .273 average, while his slugging percentage climbed to .454.

By 1977, Norman reached the Indianapolis Indians, the Reds’ AAA team. He played in 60 games and hit .249 before his career suddenly shifted.

MLB Debut and Initial Seasons

Norman’s path changed on June 15, 1977, when the Reds traded him to the New York Mets. The deal sent Norman, Steve Henderson, Doug Flynn, and Pat Zachry to New York for Tom Seaver.

Mets fans would never forget “The Midnight Massacre.”

The Mets first placed Norman with their AAA affiliate, the Tidewater Tides. He hit .264 in 80 games before finally getting called up to the majors.

Norman debuted in the big leagues on September 27, 1977, facing the Pittsburgh Pirates at just 22 years old.

He played seven games that year and collected four hits in 16 at-bats, good for a .250 average. He also drew four walks, pushing his on-base percentage to .400.

In 1978 and 1979, Norman bounced between Tidewater and the Mets. In 1978, he played 19 games, hit his first major league home run, and posted a .266 average with a .484 slugging percentage.

The next year, he appeared in 44 games and hit .245.

1980 was Norman’s only full season in the majors. He played in 69 games for the Mets but struggled, batting just .185 with two home runs. His on-base and slugging numbers both dropped below .300, and the Mets sent him back to Tidewater in 1981.

Retirement as a Player in 1982

Norman’s last MLB chapter started on May 29, 1981, when the Mets traded him and pitcher Jeff Reardon to the Montreal Expos for Ellis Valentine.

He spent the rest of 1981 with the Denver Bears, the Expos’ AAA club, and hit 11 home runs with a .272 average in 73 games.

The 1982 season turned out to be his last in pro baseball. He split time between the Montreal Expos and their AAA team, the Wichita Aeros.

Norman played 53 games with the Expos and hit just .212 in 66 at-bats.

He made his final MLB appearance on September 29, 1982, closing out his five-year major league career. His final MLB stats: .227 average, 11 home runs, and 37 RBI in 192 games for the Mets and Expos.

Even after leaving the majors, Norman kept playing in the minors through 1987, finishing up at age 32. Over 12 minor league seasons, he hit 141 home runs for different clubs.

New York Mets Tenure

Dan Norman joined the New York Mets through a blockbuster trade for Tom Seaver in 1977. He spent four years with the Mets under manager Joe Torre, making his MLB debut at 22.

Tom Seaver Trade and Arrival

Norman landed in New York as part of one of baseball’s biggest trades. The Reds sent Norman, Pat Zachry, Doug Flynn, and Steve Henderson to the Mets for Tom Seaver in June 1977.

That trade shocked the baseball world. Seaver was the Mets’ star and a future Hall of Famer. Norman was supposed to represent the future in exchange for a legend.

The young outfielder worked his way through the Reds’ farm system, reaching Triple-A Indianapolis in 1977 before the deal.

Norman’s MLB debut came on September 27, 1977, at age 22. He played in seven games for the Mets and finally got a taste of the big leagues.

Notable Seasons and Contributions

Norman’s best year with the Mets was probably 1980. He played in 56 games and flashed some of his potential as an outfielder.

His right-handed bat gave the Mets extra depth during his four years in New York.

Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 195 pounds, Norman mainly played right field. In 1978, he appeared in 19 games and gradually earned more time on the field.

Norman’s batting average of .227 shows how tough it can be for young players to adjust to major league pitching. Despite the modest numbers, he still chipped in 11 home runs and 37 RBIs.

He hit for power in the minors, but it didn’t quite translate to the majors. Over twelve minor league seasons, Norman hit 141 home runs, which explains why he was a key part of the Seaver trade.

Relationships With Teammates and Coaches

Joe Torre managed Norman the whole time he played for the Mets, from 1977 to 1981. Torre’s steady leadership helped Norman get his bearings in the majors.

Norman built relationships with the other players from the Seaver trade—Pat Zachry, Doug Flynn, and Steve Henderson. They all shared the challenge of joining the Mets in such a dramatic deal.

Trying to fill the shoes of a legend like Seaver brought pressure. Norman and his fellow trade pieces felt the weight of being compared to a beloved star.

Torre’s patient style made it easier for Norman to deal with the ups and downs of establishing himself in the big leagues. The manager seemed to understand what the ex-Reds were going through.

Montreal Expos and the 1982 Season

Dan Norman’s last major league season came with the Montreal Expos. He split his time between the big league club and their AAA affiliate in Wichita.

The 1982 Expos finished 86-76, good for third place in the National League East.

Joining the Expos

Norman joined the Expos after finishing 1981 with their AAA affiliate, the Denver Bears. He put up solid numbers in Denver—11 home runs and a .272 average in 73 games.

The Expos brought Norman up to their big league roster for 1982. He spent the year bouncing between Montreal and the AAA Wichita Aeros.

That kind of arrangement was typical for players fighting for a roster spot. Norman’s experience and veteran presence made him a useful backup outfielder for the Expos.

Performance and Game Highlights

Norman played in 53 games for the 1982 Expos, which turned out to be his last MLB season. He had 66 at-bats that year.

His offense struggled badly. Norman managed just a .212 batting average, which was well below what teams look for.

Limited playing time showed his role as a bench player and occasional starter. The Expos had stronger offensive options in the regular lineup, so Norman’s chances were limited.

Even with those struggles, Norman played his part on an Expos team that scored 697 runs and allowed 616 that season.

Memorable Moments and Final MLB Game

Norman’s 1982 season with Montreal marked the end of his time in the majors at age 27. His difficulties at the plate that year made it tough to keep his spot in the big leagues.

After his last MLB game, Norman kept playing in the minors for five more years, moving through different organizations until 1987.

He wrapped up his pro baseball career at 32. Norman’s run with the Expos was both a chance at a fresh start and a farewell to the majors.

The 1982 season really marked the turning point—Norman shifted from being a major leaguer to a minor league veteran still hoping for another shot that never quite came.

Statistical Legacy and Playing Style

Dan Norman played five seasons in MLB, putting together modest offensive stats—79 hits, 11 home runs, and 37 RBIs in 192 games. He moved around the outfield for both the New York Mets and Montreal Expos, showing off his defensive versatility.

Career Home Runs and Offensive Statistics

Norman hit his offensive peak early with the Mets. In 1978, his second MLB season, he hit 4 home runs and drove in 10 runs over just 19 games.

His best season came in 1979. He played 44 games that year, collecting 27 hits, 3 home runs, and 11 RBIs, and finished with a .245 batting average.

Norman’s batting stats paint the picture of a guy who just couldn’t quite find consistent success at the plate.

• Career batting average: .227
• Total hits: 79 in 348 at-bats
• Home runs: 11 over five seasons
• RBIs: 37
• Runs scored: 29

He struggled the most in 1980, hitting just .185 with 2 homers in 69 games. Still, Norman managed to swipe 8 bases during his career, so he brought a little speed to the table.

Fielding and Defensive Skills

Norman showed solid defensive skills throughout his career. He mainly played right field but filled in across all three outfield spots when needed.

He kept his fielding percentage high and even posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in more than one season.

In 1978, Norman played 18 games in right field, racking up 34 putouts and 1 assist with zero errors. That kind of reliability stuck with him for most of his career.

His range factor stats proved he could cover ground. In 1979, he had 54 putouts and 4 assists in 33 outfield games, though he did commit 2 errors that season.

Managers valued his defensive flexibility. Over his career, Norman played 61 games in right field, 34 in left field, and 2 in center field. That versatility let managers plug him in wherever they needed a steady glove or a platoon option.

Post-Playing Career: Coaching and Management

After his playing days, Dan Norman moved into coaching and managing across several minor league organizations. From 1987 to 2003, he managed teams and put together a record of 108 wins and 187 losses, working with clubs connected to the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres.

Coaching in Minor and Independent Leagues

Norman kicked off his post-playing career managing the Miami Marlins in the Florida State League in 1987. That team finished 44-89 and landed 14th in the standings. Managing players from Japan pushed Norman to adjust his communication style.

“The thing I do now is talk real slow,” Norman told The South Florida Sun Sentinel, describing how he worked with players from different backgrounds.

After Miami, Norman bounced around as a coach during the 1990s. He worked with the Kingsport Mets (1989-1990), Columbus RedStixx (1992), and Kinston Indians (1993-1994).

He kept at it, coaching the Clinton Lumber Kings (1996), Eugene Emeralds (1998), and Myrtle Beach Pelicans (1999). In 2001, he joined the Huntsville Stars as a coach.

International Involvement in Canadian Baseball League

Norman took his final managerial job with the Trois-Rivières Saints in the Canadian Baseball League in 2003. The team went 14-17 and finished 6th in the standings.

This stop in Canada marked Norman’s first real foray into international baseball. The Canadian Baseball League gave him a chance to stay involved in pro ball outside the usual American minor league circuit.

The Saints ran as an independent team, so Norman didn’t have the backing of a major league parent club. That meant he had to handle things a bit differently, managing players without that extra support.

Tenure With Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres

Norman managed the Helena Brewers in the Pioneer League in 2000, working under the Milwaukee Brewers organization. The team finished 26-50, coming in 8th.

He also worked with the San Diego Padres organization, managing the AZL Padres in the Arizona League in 1995. That squad finished 24-31 and placed 4th.

Both jobs put Norman in rookie-level leagues, where he worked with young players just starting out in pro ball. He focused on teaching the basics and helping them get used to the grind.

Norman circled back to his roots in 2008, coaching at Barstow Community College. That role let him work with amateur players and stay close to the game.

Personal Life and Legacy

When Norman left pro baseball, he started a new chapter—one focused on sharing what he knew and keeping his connection to the game alive. He really seemed to care about developing young talent and staying a part of baseball communities.

Life After Baseball

Dan Norman stayed active in baseball after his playing career wrapped up in 1982. He jumped into coaching and managing in the minor leagues.

He landed his first managerial job with an independent Miami club in 1987. That single-A team came with its own challenges, especially with several Japanese players on the roster.

“The thing I do now is talk real slow,” Norman explained about his approach. “I try to say one key word that they might pick up. I think the most important thing is the tone of my voice.”

Norman believed baseball’s universal language helped bridge the gap. “Fortunately, baseball is baseball wherever you go,” he said.

He also coached in the New York Mets system, serving as hitting coach at rookie-level Kingsport in 1990 and later at high-A Kinston in 1993.

Community Involvement and Mentoring

Norman’s dedication to developing players stuck with him throughout his coaching career. He worked with young athletes at all kinds of levels.

Managing teams with players from different backgrounds pushed him to become a more adaptable mentor. Norman learned to communicate across cultures and languages.

He didn’t step away from independent baseball, either. In 2003, he managed the Trois-Rivières team, showing he wanted to stay in the game for the long haul.

Norman’s coaching philosophy revolved around patience and clear communication. The way he worked with international players set an example for other coaches facing similar challenges.

Recognition and Lasting Impact

Dan Norman played five seasons in the major leagues, racking up 348 at-bats. He also spent twelve seasons in the minors and knocked out 141 home runs during his long career.

He naturally moved from playing to coaching, which just made sense for someone so invested in baseball. Norman adapted the way he communicated with international players, clearly showing how much he cared about helping others grow.

Growing up in California, he started out at Barstow Community College and made it all the way to the majors. That journey inspired a lot of young players.

Even after he stopped playing, Norman stayed in the game through coaching and management, making sure his influence lasted. He really left a mark, both on the field and by helping shape future baseball talent.