El Perfecto !!! Mike Norris tosses Perfect Game vs 88-Twins

1980 was the lone bright shinny year in Mike Norris' troubled career. That was the year he put it all together to win 22 games and contend for the Cy Young award. Billy Martin gave him the ball every 4th or 5th day and he never dissapointed. Norris narrowly lost the Cy Young award to Steve Stone of the Orioles who won 25, but was no where near as dominant as Norris was.

Let's set the stage for this game. The 1980 Oakland A's are facing the 1988 Minnesota Twins and All-Star hurler Bert Blyleven. The Twins are fresh off a World Championship in 1987 and have one of the most potent lineups a pitcher could face. Oakland in 1980 was under the tuteledge of Billy Martin, the Firery Little Genius, who managed every game like it was game 7 of the World Series. Martin was a great manager, who wore out his welcome as fast as he wore out the young arms of his pitching staff.

Norris saw 27 Twin batters and set them all down, but still had to worry about the win since his opposing number, Bert Blyleven, wasn't allowing any runs to score either. The A's won it with a 2 out walk off hit by Wayne Gross in the bottom of the 9th. I found it very funny that the game program chose Gross as the game MVP and not Mr. Norris, who must feel grossly (all puns intended) underappreciated.

Aug 21 88 Minnesota 0 80 Oakland 0Inning: 3 Outs: 1 Bases: 1st
Dave McKay steps in against Blyleven runner on 1st Blyleven looks at first the first offering from Blyleven Henderson is going for 2nd pitch out Laudner throws to 2nd Henderson ends up at third! Laudner will be charged with an error

Aug 21 88 Minnesota 0 80 Oakland 0Inning: 6 Outs: 2 Bases: 1st
Dwayne Murphy at the plate Armas is on deck if he gets on..man on 1st the first pitch to Murphy he swings..grounder between third and short it's a base hit McKay moves to third Murphy rounds and holds at first

Aug 21 88 Minnesota 0 80 Oakland 0Inning: 6 Outs: 2 Bases: 1st & 3rd
Tony Armas against Blyleven Page is on deck if he gets on..runners on the corners Blyleven is in a jam1-0 count fastball Armas swings..lined towards right center and catches it no runs, one hit, no errors after 6 complete 88 Minnesota 0, 80 Oakland 0

Aug 21 88 Minnesota 0 80 Oakland 0Inning: 9 Outs: 2 Bases: Empty
Dave Revering steps in against Blyleven 2 balls, 2 strikes Revering swings..broken-bat blooper toward right base hit and it gets by Bush! Revering ends up at 2nd

Aug 21 88 Minnesota 0 80 Oakland 0Inning: 9 Outs: 2 Bases: 2nd
Wayne Gross steps in against Blyleven runner on 2nd the first pitch to Gross he swings..grounded between third and shortand into left for a base hit Revering will score from 2nd perfect game for Norris!! perfect game for Norris!!