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
-
Norwood Junior Legion Baseball Squad-This Day In Norwood History-July 26, 1945
This Day In Norwood History-July 26, 1945-Norwood Junior Legion Baseball Squad Click to see the player names.
-
Norwood’s Title Hopes Rest on Young Pitcher Ken Berkland-This Day In Norwood History-April 4, 1944
A 16‑year‑old pitcher steps into the spotlight — can Ken Berkland keep Norwood’s title hopes alive?
-
Norwood High Bids for Title, Braves Will Sign Ray Martin After the Game-This Day in Norwood History-June 18, 1943
June 18, 1943-Norwood High Bids for Title, Braves Will Sign Ray Martin After the Game
-
Ray Marting Pitches No Hitter-This Day In Norwood History-April 29, 1943
Coming off a unanimous All-Scholastic selection the previous year and a stint in the national spotlight with the State Championship Legion Junior nine, Martin proved he hadn’t lost an ounce of velocity during the off-season. In the history of Norwood High athletics, few individual performances have ever matched the sheer dominance displayed on this April…
-
Norwood Youth Association Baseball Champions-This Day In Norwood History-October 7, 1939
The Norwood Press ball team will receive their jackets as champions of the N. Y. A. baseball league on Monday, the 16th. Jackets have been secured for the winners by the Norwood Loyal Order of Moose. Above, front row, left to right: Lou Parsons, p; Argo Bortilotti, lb; Ed Costello, 2b; Doc Thayer, ss; Ray…
-
Marty Callaghan Holds World Baseball Record-This Day In Norwood History-June 1, 1923
This Day In Norwood History-June 1, 1923-Marty Callaghan Holds World Baseball Record
-
Norwood High School Baseball Team-This Day In Norwood History-July 12, 1922
NORWOOD HIGH SCHOOL NINE DID WELL FOR ONE MADE UP OF NEW PLAYERS The Norwood High School baseball team in the past season won 11 and lost eight games. It faced the strongest teams in the State, which accounts for the larger number of upsets than in previous years. When the season opened, Coach Bennett…
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.