Greg Norton (baseball)

Infobox MLB player


width = 200
caption = Norton ("left") with the Braves in 2008
name = Greg Norton
team = Atlanta Braves
number = 20
positionplain = First baseman / Outfielder
birthdate = birth date and age|1972|7|6
birthplace = city-state|San Leandro|California
bats = Switch
throws = Right
debutdate = August 18
debutyear = 1996
debutteam = Chicago White Sox
statyear = 2008 season
stat1label = Batting average
stat1value = .252
stat2label = Home runs
stat2value = 89
stat3label = Runs batted in
stat3value = 331
teams =
*Chicago White Sox (by|1996-by|2000)
*Colorado Rockies (by|2001-by|2003)
*Detroit Tigers (by|2004)
*Tampa Bay Devil Rays (by|2006-by|2007)
*Seattle Mariners (by|2008)
*Atlanta Braves (by|2008-present)

Gregory Blakemoor Norton (born July 6, 1972 in city-state|San Leandro|California) is a first baseman and outfielder for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball. He attended the University of Oklahoma.

Career

Norton made his major league debut on August 18, mlby|1996, for the Chicago White Sox, entering the game against the Milwaukee Brewers in the 8th inning as a pinch-runner for designated hitter Harold Baines. He would score his first run three batters later on a two-out RBI single by left fielder Tony Phillips. Norton would get his first major league base hit the very next night facing the Detroit Tigers, when he singled against reliever Jose Lima as a pinch-hitter. His most productive year in Chicago came in mlby|1999, when he hit .255 while getting 50 RBI and hitting 16 homers despite splitting playing time at first base with 3 other players (including slugger Frank Thomas).

Playing for the Colorado Rockies from the mlby|2001 season until mlby|2003, Norton compiled a .252 batting average in 344 games played. Norton played four positions for the Rockies his first year with the team, including starting at first base for All-Star Todd Helton for the only 5 games Helton rested that year. In his final year with the Rockies, Norton led the majors in successful pinch hits and pinch-hit RBI. However, Norton was granted free agency at the end of the 2003 season.

by|2004 was a forgetful year for Norton, as he split time with the Detroit Tigers and their minor-league team, Toledo. Tigers first baseman Carlos Pena led the team in home runs that year, leaving very little room for Norton. A knee inflammation also kept him on the disabled list for over a month. On January 11, by|2006, he signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He was brought up to the majors on April 26 when Jorge Cantu was placed on the disabled list. In Norton's first year as a D-Ray, he bested his season home run total (17) and started a career high 26 games in right field. He missed making the mlby|2007 Opening Day roster while going under the knife to surgically repair his right knee. On Mother's Day, May 14, 2006, Norton was one of more than 50 hitters who brandished a pink bat to benefit the [http://www.komen.org Breast Cancer Foundation] .

On February 13, by|2008, Norton signed a minor league contract with an invite to spring training with the Seattle Mariners. He was purchased from the minors and added to the active roster on April 11, mlby|2008 when Charlton Jimerson was designated for assignment. On April 30, Norton was designated for assignment despite batting .438 in 16 at-bats. On May 5, Norton was traded to the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations.

External links