Pirates Rookie Richie Hebner On a Hot Streak-May 13, 1969

A former Norwood standout is turning heads across the National League, and on Monday night he delivered the kind of performance that has Pittsburgh fans buzzing and his hometown swelling with pride. Rookie third baseman Richie Hebner, just 21 years old, powered the Pirates to a dramatic 4–3 comeback victory over the San Francisco Giants, collecting a triple, a double, two singles, driving in a run, and scoring both the tying and winning tallies.

It was the sort of all‑around display that has quickly made Hebner one of the most talked‑about young players in baseball. And on this day, the recognition extended beyond the diamond.

A Key to the City — Literally

Before the game, Hebner visited friends in McKeesport, a suburban city of 46,000. There, he was introduced to the mayor, who presented him with a gold key to the city. Back in the clubhouse afterward, Hebner proudly showed it off to a reporter.

“It’s pretty nice, isn’t it?” he said, lifting it from his locker shelf.

For a rookie barely a month into his first full season, it was a moment that hinted at the growing admiration surrounding him.

A Norwood Work Ethic — Even in the Offseason

Despite his rising fame, Hebner remains grounded in the blue‑collar habits he learned back home in Norwood. His teammates tease him endlessly about his offseason job, but Hebner embraces it with a grin.

“I’ll go back to digging graves this Winter,” he said. “Some people think it’s degrading, but I enjoy it. It keeps me in shape and it’s a nice quiet job,” he mused.

The Pirates may have a budding star, but Norwood still claims the work ethic that shaped him.

A Bat on Fire

Hebner’s numbers speak for themselves. He is currently hitting .392, second in the entire National League, and has already driven in 10 runs. His approach is simple and focused.

“I don’t read the headlines,” Hebner said. “It doesn’t matter one way or another. The only thing that counts is win, win, win.”

And on Monday night, he did plenty to help Pittsburgh do just that.

How the Game Unfolded

The Pirates trailed 3–0 before beginning their climb back.

Third Inning

• Manny Sanguillen singled and advanced to third on a hit by Benet.
• Willie Stargell singled him home, cutting the deficit to 3–1.

Seventh Inning

Pittsburgh tied the game thanks to a Giants error and back‑to‑back triples by Hebner and Stargell, knotting the score at 3–3.

Ninth Inning — The Winning Rally

• Sanguillen doubled with one out.
• Hebner singled, but Sanguillen was thrown out at the plate on a perfect throw by Jim Ray Hart.
• Hebner advanced to second on the play.
• Al Oliver then lined a single to left, scoring Hebner with the winning run off Bob Gibbon (1–1).

The Pirates walked off the field victorious, their rookie third baseman at the center of nearly every key moment.

Around the League

In the only other National League action that night:

• Chicago topped San Diego, 2–0
• St. Louis defeated Los Angeles, 6–2

But the spotlight belonged to Pittsburgh — and to the kid from Norwood who is quickly becoming one of baseball’s brightest young stars.

The Boston Globe-May 13, 1969