Comparing the 2015 Athletics with 1989

Catcher to Catcher

Sep 22, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics left fielder Jonny Gomes (15) high fives catcher Derek Norris (36) after Norris scored against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Los Angeles Angels 8-4. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

Terry Steinbach was the starting catcher in 1989. His 89 season had him in 130 games with a .273 batting average and 7 home runs. Derek Norris, in 2014, appeared in 127 games with a .270 batting average and 10 home runs. You will never hear me say that Norris is the next Steinbach (he was one of my favorite players as a kid) but the numbers don’t lie. If Norris can stay healthy and replicate those numbers at the plate in 2015 while improving his defensive play, it’ll be exactly what the Athletics need behind the plate.