Norm Bass facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Norm Bass |
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Bass in 1963
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: January 21, 1939 Laurel, Mississippi, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| April 23, 1961, for the Kansas City Athletics | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| April 26, 1963, for the Kansas City Athletics | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 13–17 | ||
| Earned run average | 5.32 | ||
| Strikeouts | 111 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| No. 46 | |
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| Position: | Safety |
| Personal information | |
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight: | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Vallejo High School |
| College: | Pacific |
| Undrafted: | 1964 |
| Career history | |
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| Player stats at PFR | |
Norman Delaney Bass Jr. (born January 21, 1939) is an amazing American athlete. He played both professional baseball and football! Norm was a pitcher for the Kansas City Athletics baseball team from 1961 to 1963. Later, he played football as a safety for the Denver Broncos in 1964.
What makes Norm Bass even more special is that he became an international table tennis player. He even won a bronze medal at the Paralympic Games! His journey in sports shows how he overcame challenges, including arthritis, which led him to switch from baseball to football. Norm is also the brother of famous NFL player Dick Bass.
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Norm Bass's Baseball Journey
Norm Bass was a pitcher for the Kansas City Athletics. He played in 65 games during his time in Major League Baseball. He won 13 games and lost 17, with an ERA of 5.32.
In his first year, 1961, he had a balanced record of 11 wins and 11 losses. Norm signed with the Athletics in 1958 and worked his way up. He made his big league debut when he was 22 years old.
As a batter, Norm even hit one home run in 1961! His baseball career ended after 1965. He pitched one final minor league game, winning it completely.
Playing Football Professionally
After arthritis made it hard for him to pitch, Norm Bass switched to football. He joined the Denver Broncos in 1964. The Broncos were an American Football League team.
Norm played as a safety, wearing uniform number 46. His brother, Dick Bass, was also a professional football player. Dick was a running back for the Los Angeles Rams from 1960 to 1969.
A True Two-Sport Athlete
Norm Bass was a rare athlete who played both football and baseball in college. He joined the Denver Broncos after his baseball career was cut short. This happened because of arthritis.
Sadly, arthritis also forced him to retire from football. Norm is one of fewer than 70 athletes who have played both professional baseball and football. This makes his career very unique!
Becoming a Table Tennis Champion
After his professional baseball and football careers, Norm Bass found a new sport. In the 1970s, he started playing table tennis. He became a highly ranked player in his age group.
Norm even played for the United States Paralympic table tennis team in 1998. He won a bronze medal at the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia. His amazing achievements in table tennis led to him being chosen for the Table Tennis Hall of Fame in 2018.
Norm Bass's Life Story
When Norm Bass was 10 years old, he became very sick with meningitis. This illness almost took his life. He had to be kept away from others for a while. For three months, he couldn't see or hear.
Norm followed in his older brother Dick's footsteps. They both went to Vallejo High School and then the University of the Pacific. Norm was a multi-sport athlete in college.
When he signed with the Kansas City Athletics, Norm received a $4,000 bonus. He used this money to support his young family. After his sports careers, Norm worked for McDonnell Douglas for 30 years before retiring.
In 2005, Norm's son, Norman Delaney Bass III, wrote a book about his father. The book is called "Color Him Father: An American Journey of Hope and Redemption."
See also
- List of American Football League players
- List of athletes who played in Major League Baseball and the National Football League
