Former Clemson signee lives in a van during MLB offseason

by Tony Crumpton - Assoc. Editor - Tue Mar 10 09:35:06 GMT-04:00 2015

Former Clemson baseball signee and current Blue Jays' pitcher Daniel "Van Man" Norris has been spending his off-season traveling and living in a van down by a local Wal-Mart.

The 21-year old lefty was drafted by the Blue Jays with the #74 overall pick in the second round of the 2011 MLB draft. He had signed to play for Clemson out of high school but a two-million dollar signing bonus helped sway him and his agent towards the professional route.

Norris spent a very small portion ($10K) of his bonus on a 1978 Volkswagon Westfalia microbus that he affectionately calls "Shaggy." The car named after a Scooby-Doo character has solar panels installed and a bed in it.

"It's like a yin-and-yang thing for me," Norris tells ESPN Magazine. "I'm not going to change who I am just because people think it's weird. The only way I'm going to have a great season is by starting out happy and balanced and continuing to be me. It might be unconventional, but to feel good about life I need to have some adventure."

Norris and his 96-mile-an hour fastball will complete for the fifth spot in the Blue Jays' rotation with Aaron Sanchez and Marco Estrada.

Many baseball analysts consider Norris the best young pitching prospect in the Blue Jays' organization.

The elusive van you've been hearing about just rolled into Dunedin with @DanielNorris18 #BaseballBegins pic.twitter.com/oxb07NHSBP
— Blue Jays (@BlueJays) February 18, 2015

All is well with my soul. #jklivin pic.twitter.com/kmxIeLpKA6
— Daniel Norris (@DanielNorris18) February 20, 2015

I'm in Canada for a few with snow on the ground. Woke up to this #selfie from Shaggy. Cool. Real cool. pic.twitter.com/gMmizVDNN6
— Daniel Norris (@DanielNorris18) January 22, 2015

Gotta do what you gotta do, right? @COALATREE @VictorAxes #wilderness @katjoywilliams w the ?? for #thefouledanchor pic.twitter.com/hLosFbfKUh
— Daniel Norris (@DanielNorris18) January 23, 2015

Dinner during the golden hour. 5 star restaurant. #getwhatupayfor #vanlife #jklivin pic.twitter.com/G7zgy57uiv
— Daniel Norris (@DanielNorris18) January 17, 2015

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ICYMI Comedy Flashback: Classic Saturday Night Ciip - "Van Down by the River" with Chris Farley