Norman Craig Anderson is in the Lehigh Hall of Fame
Anderson would not be a Cardinal for long however as the New York Mets drafted him in 1962 in the first Major League Expansion Draft. An original member of the 1962 Mets under legendary manager Casey Stengel, Anderson won both games of the first doubleheader New York ever won. He also went on to lead the Mets in saves and appearances that year. In 1963, Anderson started the last game ever played at the Polo Grounds and unfortunately that year also set the major league record for the most consecutive losses with 19 straight, a record that fortunately has since been broken. At Lehigh, Anderson was a dominating power pitcher and was the winning pitcher in all six of the Engineer's vic-tories in his junior season. While at Lehigh he recorded a school record 18 strikeouts in a game, a record that still stands today. Anderson struck out 289 batters in 189 innings over his four years and recorded one no-hitter. While his accomplishments both colle-giately and professionally on the dia-mond were outstanding, Anderson will be most remembered for his unprece-dented service and loyalty to his alma mater. After spending seven years in professional baseball, he dedicated the next 34 years of his life to serving the needs of Lehigh student-athletes as a coach and administrator. He served as the pitching coach during those 34 years in addition to serving as the Athletics Department Busi-ness Manager early in his career. Later, he became the Univer-sity's first Director of Athletics Partnership responsible for fundraising and alumni relations. "After 38 years at Lehigh, four as a student and 34 as an administrator and pitching coach I am truly honored to now be a part of the great Lehigh Athletic tradition when I am inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame," said Anderson about his induc-tion. "I feel privileged to be in the company of so many great athletes and coaches, many of whom I was lucky enough to know. To be honored in front of my family, friends, Lehigh baseball players, Lehigh alumni, and Lehigh co-workers is a memory I will always cherish." "Coach A" touched the lives of many student-athletes during his tenure as a coach, including six players that went on to play professionally. One of those players, Lehigh Hall of Famer Paul Hartzell '75, clearly remembers what it was like to play for Anderson. "Craig was not only my pitching coach longer than any other person, but he was and continues to be one of my best Lehigh friends. He gave me a phrase that I used throughout college and especially in the major leagues to get through tough times, Think, Fight, and Hustle. I still use that phrase today, as do my children. As a coach, Craig taught me the single most important thing that allowed me to go from Lehigh to the majors in less than ten months. He taught me how to read a hit-ter and pitch to them based on my best 'stuff that day." After retiring last June, Anderson and his wife Judy have started a new adventure touring the United States in their motor home. Their children Mike and Jill remain residents of the Lehigh Valley and Jill is currently a member of the Lehigh Alumni Association staff. |
Stats for Norman Craig Anderson
Year: 1960 Position: Pitcher Jersey #:| GP | GS | AB | AVG | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | R | SB/SBA | ER | APP | STARTS | W | L | S | IP | K | BB | H |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |