Houston Astros’ Bud Norris to open regular season campaign in 2013 - MLB News
The Houston Astros have decided that right-handed pitcher Bud Norris will be opening the campaign in 2013 for the ballclub against the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park, the home of the Astros. The opening game will be quite significant as it will be the
first time that the Astros will be playing as a team in the American League.
There was a bit of a competition between Norris and Lucas Harrell for the opening spot and Norris has eventually come up on top. It appears that his recent good work has paid him rich dividends.
Manager Bo Porter was all praise for the 28-year-old whom he said has proven himself worthy of leading the pack of pitchers in the Houston Astros. The manager is confident that Bud has the ability to perform well at the big stage and his figures are a testament
of that.
"Bud Norris has done everything we've asked him to do from the time I've taken the job, to being that leader that this organization needs," Porter said. "You look at his home and road splits and how well he's pitched at Minute Maid Park and how well he's
pitched in big games.”
Similar sentiments were expressed by Jeff Luhnow, the general manager of the Houston Astros. He felt that that pitcher has earned it and he has shown the temperament for the big games and can do well at Minute Maid Park.
"I think he's earned it," Luhnow said. "His last outing was very good, and he's proven he can pitch at Minute Maid and pitch in big games.”
Bud Norris has a 28-37 win-loss record in the Majors and will certainly look to improve upon that. He posted a 7-13 record in 2012 in 29 starts with a 4.65 ERA. He will certainly be looking to lower his ERA as well in 2013.
Bud himself said that he feels honoured by the opportunity and it is something that he has always wanted and worked hard for. He said that it is a childhood dream that is coming true.
"I'm very honored," Norris said. "It's something I've been working for my whole career, something everyone works for their whole career. It's a childhood dream to have an Opening Day game like that.”
Lucas Harrell also agreed with the call and believes that Norris has earned the right to pitch in the opening game through hard work and good performance.
It is good to see that the Astros are getting things in place. It is important that they keep on moving forward and improve in all departments of the game and perform better than what they have done in the last two seasons. A good pitching unit will certainly
help in that.
Tags: