Craig Anderson
From BR Bullpen
- Note: This page links to Craig Anderson, the pitcher from the 1960s. For the Australian Olympic team and minor league pitcher, click here.
Norman Craig Anderson
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 2", Weight 205 lb.
- School Lehigh University
- Debut June 23, 1961
- Final Game May 27, 1964
- Born July 1, 1938 in Washington, DC USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Craig Anderson was a promising young pitcher who had the misfortune to get picked up by the New York Mets in the expansion draft.
In 1961, he had gone 4-3 in 25 games with the St. Louis Cardinals, with an ERA of 3.26, at the age of 22.
In 1962-64, his record with the hapless Mets was 3-20. He also had 4 saves in 1962 which, sad to say, led the team.
Anderson was the first major league player from Lehigh University to ever make the major leagues. He pitched a no-hitter while in college and struck out 289 batters in 189 innings. After graduating from college, he played for Tulsa and posted a 1.68 ERA. He came to the majors with the Cardinals that same year.
In 1963 with the Mets, he started in the last game ever played in the Polo Grounds.
His career as a professional baseball player lasted seven seasons. After that, he returned to Lehigh where he served as pitching coach for 34 years and also in university administration.
He is in the Lehigh Sports Hall of Fame.
Major leaguer Paul Hartzell benefitted from Anderson's instruction at Lehigh, saying:
"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 hitter and pitch to them based on my best stuff that day."
One source: Lehigh Sports Hall of Fame, N. Craig Anderson
