Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame
Anderson, Craig
Craig Anderson
- Induction:
- 2001
- Class:
- 1960
In June of 1961, Norman Craig Anderson became the first Lehigh player ever to pitch in Major League Baseball. Shortly after graduation, he signed a contract with a St. Louis farm team in Tulsa, Okla. There he led his team to the Texas League and Pan American Championships while leading the league with a 1.68 earned run average. Before long he found himself in the big leagues posting a 4-3 record with a 3.28 ERA for the St. Louis Cardinals in his first season.
However, Anderson would not be a Cardinal for long 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 has since been broken.
At Lehigh, Anderson was a dominating power pitcher and was the winning pitcher in all six of the Engineer's victories 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 collegiately and professionally on a diamond were outstanding, Anderson will be most remembered for his unprecedented 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’s business manager early in his career. Later, he became the University'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 induction. “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, fellow 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,” Hartzell said. “He gave me a phrase that I used throughout college and especially in the major leagues to get through tough times - ‘Think, Fight, 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 10 months. He taught me how to read a hitter and pitch them based on my best ‘stuff’ that day.”
After retiring in June 2000, Anderson and his wife Judy started a new adventure by touring the United States in their motor home. They had two children, Mike and Jill. Jill has served as a member of the Lehigh Alumni Association staff.
However, Anderson would not be a Cardinal for long 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 has since been broken.
At Lehigh, Anderson was a dominating power pitcher and was the winning pitcher in all six of the Engineer's victories 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 collegiately and professionally on a diamond were outstanding, Anderson will be most remembered for his unprecedented 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’s business manager early in his career. Later, he became the University'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 induction. “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, fellow 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,” Hartzell said. “He gave me a phrase that I used throughout college and especially in the major leagues to get through tough times - ‘Think, Fight, 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 10 months. He taught me how to read a hitter and pitch them based on my best ‘stuff’ that day.”
After retiring in June 2000, Anderson and his wife Judy started a new adventure by touring the United States in their motor home. They had two children, Mike and Jill. Jill has served as a member of the Lehigh Alumni Association staff.
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