Tiger fans were pretty rough on ol' Stormin' Norman for quite a few years. Even though he was a very solid first baseman and a 4 time All-Star, it took a long time for them to forgive him for hitting .361. Perhaps setting the record for home runs hit ENTIRELY out of Tiger Stadium softened their feelings a bit!
A few quotes and anecdotes...
He once forgot he was replaced by a pinch runner and ran out with his glove for the next inning...he noted "Good thing it was me, Nobody ever knows whether I'm serious or not."
Once while hopelessly trapped in a rundown, he formed the "T" for time out sign... didn't do any good! Another time after a rain delay which hit when he was a baserunner on first, he retook the field at second base... didn't get away with that one either!
Hit .386 in the 1968 World Series... started the famous game 7 rally against Gibson by singling in the 7th inning with 2 out and the bases empty.
During a Nolan Ryan no hitter after striking out 3 times, Cash actually brought a table leg up to bat against the flame thrower... he figured that he wasn't going to hit him with a bat and might as well try something else!
In 1974 when Ron Cash joined the team, the Tigers wanted to change the name on his uniform... Norman refused to wear it saying "If the people can't tell the difference between me and the other guy, something's the matter... that's me, ol' N. Cash."
... and when the end came to a part-time player in 1974, it was a little bitter: "Since I've been here this long, I though at least they'd let me finish out the year. Campbell just called and said I didn't have to show up at the park." Not a good way to treat the #2 all-time Tiger home run hitter.
...and who can't forget the way he fielded those foul popups behind first down toward the bullpen while chomping on a wad of gum?
and #25 never wore a batting helmet... he was grandfathered in '71 when the rule went in and while most major leaguers were quick to don the headgear, Cash never did.
Aside from baseball, the Texan was well versed in a number of things... Worked as a banker during the off season, worked on a ranch,.. hosted "The Norm Cash Show" in the early '70s... Was a broadcaster for Monday Night Baseball on ABC in 1976... played briefly for the Detroit Major League Slo-Pitch softball team after retiring... Was part owner of Triple Crown Services which represented pro players in contract matters...
Sadly, he suffered a stroke in 1979 and tragically died in 1986 when he slipped off a dock at Beaver Island, Michigan while attempting to board his boat. The boat's name? .... "The Stormin' Norman."
On April 23, 2005, the high school and Little League baseball field in Post, Texas was dedicated in memory to the area's greatest athlete, Stormin' Norman Cash.
Want to read more about Stormin' Norman??
Check out the links to some of the Tigers' great triumphs:
The 1968 Pennant!
The 1968 World Series!
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