After spending 20 years playing professional baseball across the major leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, and Chicago Cubs, Norwood native Richie Hebner found himself lending a hand right back home as the third-base coach for the Norwood American Legion baseball team.
Far from making a superficial celebrity appearance, Hebner seamlessly integrated into the dugout. “The kids know him, so he’s no big deal with them,” said Coach Pete Wall. “He’s just a regular guy… It’s not like somebody came down from outer space or anything.”
Hebner preferred it that way, aiming to stay behind the scenes and assist rather than overshadow the coaching staff. “I’m just having some fun,” Hebner explained. “Maybe one or two kids might ask me a question, but I tell people I just coach third. Pete runs the show. I don’t try to and I don’t plan to.”
Hebner’s illustrious 17-year major league career came to a close just two weeks prior to Opening Day during spring training when the Chicago Cubs indicated he might miss the final roster cut under 24-man roster limitations. Unable to secure a trade, Hebner opted to hang up his major league cleats without regret. “The 24-man roster didn’t help,” he reflected. “I would have liked to make the club, but I was up 17 years, so I wasn’t embarrassed.”
Faced with his first summer without professional baseball in two decades, Hebner gravitated back to his roots in Norwood, attending local workouts before Pete Wall officially brought him onto the coaching staff. “I thought it would be an enjoyable thing to do and that’s exactly how it’s turned out,” Hebner said. “I thought it would be fun and when you’re 31-1, it’s a little more fun.” (Reporting by John Johnson, The Patriot Ledger).
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Meet The Nitros Players-Danny McKenna-August 2, 1962
“I’ve had kind of a busy summer,” commented Danny McKenna, the easy-going second baseman of the Norwood Nitros. Not only has he played in 28 games this summer (he missed four to finish final exams at college), but he’s supervised the boys’ baseball and girls’ softball at the local playgrounds; supervised operations at both swimming…
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Little League District 6 Champs-This Day in Norwood History-July 19, 1962
This Day in Norwood History-July 19, 1962-Little League District 6 Champs
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Norwood, Milton Legion To Clash In Holiday Contest-This Day in Norwood History-June 28, 1962
This Day in Norwood History-June 28, 1962-Norwood, Milton Legion To Clash In Holiday Contest
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A Town United by Baseball-May 17, 1962
From High School Triumphs to Semi‑Pro Challenges and Little League Community Spirit Callaghan’s Commanding Two‑Hitter Lifts Norwood High Over Milton At the scholastic level, Norwood High delivered one of its sharpest performances of the season behind a standout outing from pitcher Callaghan, who held Milton to just two hits in a decisive victory. His control,…
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Ball Club Selects Name of “Nitros”-August 10, 1961
This Day In Norwood History-August 10, 1961-Ball Club Selects Name of “Nitros”
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McKenna Dream Realized Semi-Pros Get Franchise-This Day in Norwood History-July 13, 1961
This Day in Norwood History-July 13, 1961-McKenna Dream Realized Semi-Pros Get Franchise
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Little League Program Suffers As Adults Fail To Lend Support-This Day in Norwood History-June 29, 1961
This Day in Norwood History-June 29, 1961-Little League Program Suffers As Adults Fail To Lend Support
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Norwood All-Stars Pound Bunker, Townies In 9-4 Win-August 8, 1957
AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STARS — This Is the American League All-Stars aggregation of the Little League who won their sectional game with Walpole at Franklin on Saturday. Front row, left to right — W Potrcvek, R. Rogers, J, Welch, W. Carrablno, S. Uscvlteh and B. MacLean. Second row, left to right — D. Morcshead, D Tracy,…
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Newly Outfitted Norwood Town Baseball Team-This Day in Norwood History-June 27, 1957
This Day in Norwood History-June 27, 1957-Newly Outfitted Norwood Town Baseball Team Click here to see the player names.
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Vintage Norwood Ballplayers Reunite to Recall The “Good Old Days”-This Day in Norwood History-June 20, 1957
A 55-year-old scorebook brings together Norwood’s original turn-of-the-century baseball masters to recall the legendary Trolley League era.
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