No, this isn't a Chris Farley, Saturday Night Live skit, but it is kind of neat. Blue Jays pitching prospect Daniel Norris is from Tennessee, but each year he drives down to Dunedin (Blue Jays spring training site) and works out there. Instead of staying a hotel, he lives in his van down by the ocean. He's a big outdoorsman. The organization doesn't like it and don't understand it. 

 

Norris is a 21-year-old lefty. He is a top 25 guy in baseball. 

If you were looking at a max salary this coming year of only around $500K, you'd live in a van too, amiright?

If I was the Blue Jays, I'd be pretty angry at the kid too.  The van looks like something off of Hoarders.  Show some professionalism, shave and sleep in a building.  Not too much to ask of your top prospect.  

You'd think he'd be able to afford a better van.  I'm sure the Blue Jays don't want him spreading all that "Hippie Hillbilly" ideology around the team.

 

http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2015/01/blue_jay_daniel_norris_makes_waves_for_hillbilly_lifestyle/

 

Why don't you just get in that van and haul your butt to a Mumford & Sons instead of spring training!  

I like this guy and I don't even know him. 

That van is awesome. It's a representation of a mindset for him. I'm sure it took a bit of funds to find one of that vintage and get it in proper running order. Also, a van of that nature isn't going to attract the attention of sketchy individuals like a big shiny new one would.

He's just doing what he loves. It doesn't affect his career in any way. All he's doing is glorified camping. At least it's not in a tent.

Norris is a 21-year-old lefty.

Of course, he's a lefty...

I have portrayed Matt Foley, and Daniel Norris is no Matt Foley

Good for him. He wants to stay grounded and be outdoors while he can.

 

Also, some people do actually live in vans and such, and not by choice. Reminder and awareness of that fact is another positive effect. 

I have portrayed Matt Foley, and Daniel Norris is no Matt Foley

 

Not important

I'm really just jealous.  If I were him, I'd probably be doing something very similar.  

 

It reminds me of a trip my buddy just took around the country.  He got laid off, sold some stuff and got one of those big engine scooters and drove it all around the country for a few months, camping all over the place.

 

I'm sure Norris has a little bit more of an agenda/timeline, but it sounds like something that I'd like to do.

Nothing wrong with a little personality, hope he does well!

If you were looking at a max salary this coming year of only around $500K, you'd live in a van too, amiright?

 

In the immortal words of Latrell Sprewell... "I've got my family to feed!"

Why can't I get Cheech and Chong's "Up in Smoke" out of my mind?

Is this really the Blue Jays first time dealing with a player from Tennessee?

Is this really the Blue Jays first time dealing with a player from Tennessee?

Do we have to worry about our best prospects absorbing certain aspects of the Chattanooga culture?

The key here is whether or not he's adequately working out and getting proper nutrition.  There is no reason that can't happen in a van and it beats the hell out of the lounging around that some players do in their homes.

Regarding another thread this week:  Norris was drafted 74th overall in the same draft the Twins drafted Hudson Boyd at #55.

 

And a classic VW Camper is not a "Van" people!  And from the title of this thread, it sounded like the guy lives in a van as in one step above living under a bridge...  Not the case.  To each his/her own.

Edited January 25, 201511 yr by Thrylos

Norris was a mid first rd talent that fell because of bonus demands.  If you are going to play the hindsight game at least play it correctly.  The Twins problem (forever) is that they wouldn't go overslot.