Les playing, more coaching
Published on January 28, 2004 under Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release
JOLIET, IL â Les Norman, the Joliet JackHammers player/coach in 2003 and a former major league outfielder, will not return to the JackHammers as a player or coach in 2004. He decided to end his playing days and officially retire. Norman, who grew up in nearby Braidwood, Illinois, played high school baseball at Reed-Custer and college baseball at the University of St. Francis (Joliet). The JackHammers open their third season at 7:05 PM on Thursday, May 20 versus the Gary (IN) SouthShore RailCats at Silver Cross Field in Joliet's City Center.
The coaches and team executives addressed him as "Les" while the players called him "Norm." Through 46 games played last season, Norm batted .359 (65-for-181) with three home runs, 17 doubles, 27 runs scored and 31 RBI. He was the designated hitter or left fielder. Prior to 2003, Norm had not played since the 2000 season when he was at Triple-A Omaha in the Kansas City Royals organization. He played in the major leagues for the Royals in 1995 and 1996.
Norm reached a couple of career milestones in 2003. On July 29 at Schaumburg, he collected the 1,000th hit of his pro career (majors and minors combined). On August 10 at Winnipeg, Norm collected the 1,000th hit of his minor league career. He began the 2003 season as a coach, but moved into the player/coach role on July 4.
Norm's playing career highlights also include a high school state Class-A championship in 1985, being tabbed an NAIA All-American in '89 and '90, being drafted by the Royals in the 25th round of the '91 June draft, being honored as the Royals minor league player of the year in '91, and posting his major league debut on May 29, 1995.
His retirement ends an 11-year professional playing career. Through 982 games played in the minors, Norm batted .284 (1,028-for-3,619) with 28 triples, 104 home runs, 225 doubles, 512 RBI and 541 runs scored. Norm played in the Royals, Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians organizations and spent the bulk of his playing career at the Triple-A level. He played 78 games in the major leagues. Les, 34, and his family live in Greenwood, Missouri, and they recently opened The Swing Builder (www.theswingbuilder.com) in Lee's Summit, MO. His complete bio is found on the all-time roster page of the team's website.
"After the '03 season, I have spent time in prayer and deep discussion with my family. We feel that it is again time to call it an end to a blessed career. We have opened a successful business, and my efforts will be pointed toward watching my 2-year old grow up, spending time with my family, and running our business," said Les Norman.
"In all of my 11 years as a professional, I have never been treated with more respect, more care, or had more fun on a playing field than with Joliet. To be able to play in my home area and see so many people that have supported me for so many years was incredible. The community of Joliet and the surrounding areas made my goal of reaching 1,000 hits one of the most fun moments as a professional. I am proud to have grown up in Braidwood, to have played for some of the best coaches in the country, and most importantly to have played in front of the fans that have given me the courage and support to keep pushing, despite difficult odds. A man should be so lucky."
The JackHammers have full season tickets, mini-plan ticket packages, group ticket packages and team merchandise available for purchase. For additional information, call 815-726-BALL (2255), visit www.jackhammerbaseball.com or visit the Silver Cross Field offices. Subscribe to the team's mailing list on the team website or send an e-mail to info@jackhammerbaseball.com. All JackHammers games will be heard on 1340-AM WJOL and via the team's website. When the JackHammers play at Kansas City this season, Les Norman is scheduled to be a guest color commentator. Check the JackHammers schedule for game times.
Northern League Stories from January 28, 2004
- Saltdogs Acquire 2002 NL All-Star Sienko - Lincoln Saltdogs
- Les playing, more coaching - Joliet JackHammers
- Flyers Sign Reliever Matt Bailie - Schaumburg Flyers
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