MLB One-Season Wonders: Norm Cash and 1961
Let me start off by saying that Norm Cash had an excellent baseball career. He offered the ’60s and ’70s Tigers teams with big-time pop in that lineup. Cash was essentially your classic power-hitting first baseman. In 1961, however, he set the bar so high that his other great seasons were nowhere near it.
Before 1961
Cash was a Texan boy who excelled in both football and baseball. The Chicago Bears in fact drafted him out of college as a running back, yet Cash had his heart set on baseball. This led the White Sox to sign him in 1955.
After a few years juggling military service and minor league baseball, Cash made his pro debut with the Sox in 1958. He didn’t see much playing time with the big-league club during his first few seasons. This prompted a three-team trade where Cash eventually wound up in Detroit.
His first season as a Tiger in 1960 promptly established himself as the Tigers starting first baseman. He showed hints of excellence, slashing .286/.402/.501 with 18 home runs in 121 games. However, nothing would prepare anyone for the hurricane Cash would set off the next season.
1961
To say Cash put up “Bonds-ian” numbers in 1961 would be entirely accurate. This season was so far-fetched, people even accused him of corking his bat throughout the year’s duration.
Since Cash’s breakout year, only Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Aaron Judge and Juan Soto have had a season OPS+ higher than him. OPS+ is an offensive stat that makes 100 the average. Anything above is solid. For instance, Shohei Ohtani‘s OPS+ last season was 145 and he placed second in MVP voting.
Cash’s OPS+ in 1961 was 201. He was 101% better than the average Major League offensive player. That’s not all. He batted an astounding .361/.487/.662 with 41 home runs and 132 runs batted in.
He led the league in hits, batting average, and on-base percentage. He finished fourth in RBI, sixth in home runs, fourth in runs scored, and second in WAR with an epic 9.2.
You’re probably wondering how he didn’t win Most Valuable Player. Well, a guy named Roger Maris broke Babe Ruth‘s long-time single-season home run record, crushing 61. Mickey Mantle also had a typical Hall of Fame season despite enduring injuries.
Back in the day, some seasons had two All-Star games. Cash earned trips to both in 1961. He also received MVP votes placing fourth in the American League voting. Silver slugger didn’t exist yet, but it’s easy to assume he probably would’ve won it for the first base position.
After 1961
The seasons that followed this remarkable outburst were great no doubt for Cash but nothing within the realm of what ’61 held. He never again did hit .300 or slug 40 home runs or drive in 100. As stated earlier, Cash was a rock in that Tigers lineup for years beyond, until his retirement in 1974.
He helped the Tigers win a World Series championship in 1968. Cash also appeared in a few more All-Star Games in ’66, ’71, and ’72. Following ’61 until his retirement, he combined for a very respectable slash line of .263/.361/.474 with an average of 29 home runs a season and an OPS+ of 133.
This one-season wonder was an anomaly. Norm Cash was a player who in every regard was a great one, but set the bar so damn high for himself in one season, that the rest just didn’t line up.
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