Norwood's Hebner to Manage North Shore Navigators This Summer

The North Shore Navigators of the Futures Collegiate League announced the hiring of former Boston Red Sox hitting coach Richie Hebner as the club’s new field manager recently.

The native of Norwood spent 18 seasons in the major leagues from 1968 to 1985 with Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Detroit, the New York Mets, and the Chicago Cubs. Hebner, 64, played in eight National League Championship Series, and was a starter on the 1971 Pirates’ World Series-winning squad. In 1,908 career games, he hit 203 home runs and drove in 890 runs.

Since his playing career ended, Hebner has been a manager and coach at various levels throughout baseball. He spent four seasons as a major-league hitting coach: three with Boston (1989-1991) under manager Joe Morgan, and one with Philadelphia (2001) alongside skipper and former Phillies teammate Larry Bowa.

“I’m anxious to be here this summer and have 54 games to show off some talent from the area and from across the country. I was out of baseball last season, and it’s a nice feeling to be back on the field, and to be managing close to home,” Hebner said.

Most recently, he was a member of the Baltimore Orioles’ organization, serving as the hitting coach for Triple-A Norfolk in 2010, and as the manager for Single-A Frederick in 2009 and 2008. Hebner has also managed or coached in the Toronto, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and Chicago White Sox systems.

"On behalf of the entire Navigator organization, we are absolutely thrilled to have a former major leaguer of the caliber of Richie Hebner agree to join us as our manager. Richie will be a terrific mentor to our players in guiding them towards their dream of ultimately playing in the majors. He also brings a very loyal local following, being recognized as one of New England's best players of all time," Navigators owner Pat Salvi commented.

The Navigators are entering their fifth season of summer college play, and the club’s first as a member of the nine-team Futures League, which features top-flight collegiate talent from throughout the U.S. League rules mandate that at least half of the players either be natives of New England, or student-athletes at colleges in New England.

"We are excited for our players to have the opportunity to play for Richie,” Navigators general manager Bill Terlecky added. “It will be a great experience for them, as well as all of us with the club, to have him at the ballpark all summer. It’s just another reason for baseball fans to make a visit to Fraser Field this season."

The Navigators begin their 54-game 2012 schedule on June 7, with the club’s home opener Friday, June 8 against Torrington at 7 p.m.