Bucs Sail On Hebrer’s Bat-This Day In Norwood History-May 13, 1969

PITTSBURGH — May 13, 1969 Norwood’s own Richie Hebner, just 21 years old and barely a month into his rookie season, is quickly becoming one of the brightest young stars in the National League. On Monday night, the former Norwood High standout delivered a performance that had Pittsburgh fans roaring and baseball writers scrambling for superlatives.

Hebner collected a triple, a double, and two singles, drove in a run, and scored both the tying and winning runs as the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied to defeat the San Francisco Giants 4–3. It was the kind of all‑around effort that can define a young player’s season—and perhaps his career.

A Key to the City — And Maybe Another Soon

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, Hebner proudly showed it off.

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

The headline writers joked that if he keeps hitting like this, his next key might be to the city of Pittsburgh itself.

A Norwood Work Ethic That Never Left Him

Despite his rising fame, Hebner remains the same talkative, good‑natured kid from Norwood. His teammates tease him endlessly about his offseason job back home, but Hebner embraces it.

“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.

It’s the kind of grounded attitude that has endeared him to fans and teammates alike.

A Bat Among the League’s Best

Hebner is currently hitting .392, the second‑highest average in the National League, and has already driven in 10 runs. But he insists he pays no attention to the growing buzz around him.

“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 the Pirates do just that.

How the Comeback Unfolded

The Pirates trailed 3–0 before beginning their rally.

Third Inning

• Manny Sanguillen singled and moved to third on Benet’s hit.
• Willie Stargell singled him home to make it 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 — Hebner Scores the Winner

• 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 games 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 most exciting young players.

The Boston Globe-May 13, 1969