Norm Zauchin

From SoSH

Contents 1 Overall Career 2 Zauchin's Moments in the Sun 3 Trivia 4 Transactions 5 External Links

Overall Career

Norbert Henry Zauchin (November 17, 1929 - January 31, 1999) started his professional career with the Red Sox, signing with Boston as an amateur free agent in 1948. Norm spent four seasons in the Sox minor league system before getting his first call-up to the Sox in September 1951. His first stint in the minor leagues was punctuated by his 1950 season with the Double-A Birmingham Barons, where he hit 35 Home Runs. In his September call-up of 1951, Norm played in 5 games, going 2-for-12 with a double.

After 3 more seasons in the minors, Norm was called up to Boston for good, taking over the first base job from Harry Agganis. Agganis would gain the job back from Norm, but Zauchin would regain the job with Agganis' tragic illness and subsequent passing on June 27, 1955. Norm would finish the season with a line of .239/.335/.430 with 27 HRs. He finished third in that seasons Rookie of the Year voting. He also finished fourth in the league in home runs, and led the league in strikeouts. Mickey Vernon would take over the first base job in 1956, placing Zauchin on the bench. Zauchin hit .214/.333/.310 in 1956, and .264/.343/.396 in 1957. He totaled only 175 at bats over his final 2 seasons with the Red Sox.

In the 1957 post-season, Zauchin was traded away to the Washington Senators, along with future NL Rookie of the Year Albie Pearson, for Pete Runnels. Given another chance at a starting job, Norm was able to hit 15 HRs in 1958, but with a poor .228/.310/.416 batting line. He would play one more season, retiring from Baseball after the 1959 season.

Zauchin's Moments in the Sun

• On May 27th, 1955, Norm hit 3 HRs and a double in a 16-0 win over the Washington Senators. He would total 10 RBI in the game.

Trivia

• Hit a Home Run on State of Maine Day at Fenway, and was given a Black Bear. He would donate the bear to the city zoo of Birmingham, Alabama.
• Met his wife by literally falling on her. In a 1950 minor league game, Norm made a catch near the stands, and eventually tumbled over the railing onto Janet Mooney. The two married in the Fall of 1951.

Transactions

• Before 1948 Season: Signed by the Boston Red Sox as an amateur free agent.
• January 23, 1958: Traded by the Boston Red Sox with Albie Pearson to the Washington Senators for Pete Runnels.

External Links

• Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis
• Norm Zauchin/Wikipedia
• SABR looks at Foul Balls