Bud Norris is a former American professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for nine seasons. He was born on March 2, 1985, in Greenbrae, California, and attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he played college baseball for the Cal Poly Mustangs.
Norris began his professional baseball career in 2006 when he was drafted by the Houston Astros in the sixth round of the MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with the Astros in 2009 and played for the team until 2013. During his time with the Astros, Norris was known for his fastball and slider pitches and was considered one of the team's top pitchers.
In 2013, Norris was traded to the Baltimore Orioles, where he played for two seasons. He had a successful stint with the Orioles, helping the team reach the American League Championship Series in 2014. Norris then played for the San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, and St. Louis Cardinals over the next few years.
Throughout his career, Norris was known for his consistency and durability as a pitcher. He had a career record of 68-86 with an ERA of 4.49 and 1,065 strikeouts. He also recorded three complete games and two shutouts during his career.
Off the field, Norris was known for his philanthropic work. He was actively involved in various charitable organizations, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Wounded Warrior Project. He also founded the Bud Norris Foundation, which aims to provide support and resources to underprivileged children and families.
In 2019, Norris announced his retirement from professional baseball. He cited his desire to spend more time with his family and pursue other interests as the reasons for his decision. Despite his retirement, Norris remains involved in the baseball community and continues to support various charitable causes.
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