Live Game Audio Webcast
|
 |
TOM HERR TO RETURN AS BARNSTORMERS MANAGER IN 2006
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Lancastrian Will Be Re-joined By Rick Wise And Frank Klebe For Club’s Second Season
| |
Tom Herr will be back to guide the Barnstormers in 2006. |
Tom Herr will return as manager of the Lancaster Barnstormers for the 2006 season, it was announced on Tuesday by Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Keith Lupton. The lifelong resident of Lancaster will lead the club into its second season and be joined by pitching coach Rick Wise and bench coach Frank Klebe, both of whom will also return for their second season in Lancaster.
Herr guided the Barnstormers to a 64-76 record during the inaugural season, which was his first-ever as a manager. However, the Barnstormers finished the second half of the Atlantic League season four games over .500 (37-33), a ten-game improvement on their first-half record (27-43). Herr hopes to build on that success in 2006.
“We laid a great foundation last season, especially during the second half, and I look forward to building on that momentum in 2006,” said Herr. “The opportunity to manage in my hometown during the inaugural season was something truly special and I am excited to be back for another year.”
Herr had a 13-year Major League career with five teams, most notably the St. Louis Cardinals from 1979-1988. His best season came in 1985, when he batted .302 with, 110 RBI, 97 runs, 38 doubles and 31 stolen bases, on his way to playing in the All-Star game and helping his team to the World Series.
Since retiring after the 1991 season, the 49-year-old served as an assistant coach for 12 seasons for the baseball team at his high school alma mater, Hempfield High School in Landisville, PA., where he coached his two sons. He was also an assistant coach for the basketball and football teams for several years, along with manager of the Hempfield American Legion baseball team.
“We are excited to have Tom back to lead us into our second season,” said Lupton. “A year ago people wondered how this would work out and we have been thrilled by the results. Tom and the rest of the staff helped build a solid foundation last season and we look forward to an even better second season here in Lancaster.”
During his playing career, Herr batted .271 with 28 homers, 574 RBI, 676 runs scored and 188 stolen bases in 1,514 games. He, along with Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith, formed one of the best double play combinations in baseball, three times leading league in twin killings.
Herr was originally signed by the Cardinals as an amateur free agent in 1974 and made his big league debut on August 13, 1979. After parts of ten seasons in St. Louis, he was traded 15 games into the 1988 season to Minnesota, in exchange for Tom Brunansky. Following that season, he was traded once again, this time to Philadelphia, where he spent nearly two full seasons. At the end of the 1990 season, Herr was dealt to the New York Mets, who released him near the conclusion of the 1991 campaign. Herr immediately signed with San Francisco and finished his 1991 season, and playing career, with the Giants before his retirement.
Herr played in three World Series’ (won in ’82, lost in ’85 and ’87), where he batted .190 with one homer and six RBI. In his All-Star season of 1985, Herr finished fifth in the National League MVP balloting, which was won that season by teammate Willie McGee. He also was in the top ten in several offensive categories in 1985, including RBI (3rd), doubles (3rd), runs (8th), hits (9th) and batting average (9th).
Wise will return as Barnstormers pitching coach in 2006, while Klebe will serve as bench coach, after having joined the club for the second half of last season. Wise, 60, had an 18-year Major League career with five different teams and has been a coach for the past 21 years. His most notable accomplishment came on June 23, 1971 in Cincinnati when, as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies, he became the only pitcher in Major League history to throw a no-hitter and hit two home runs in a game. Klebe has many years of experience coaching with the Orioles and Phillies organizations.
At Hempfield High, Herr had the opportunity to coach both of his sons, Jordan (19) and Aaron (24). Aaron is currently a member of the Cincinnati Reds organization, while Jordan is a freshman at the University of Delaware and is expected to play in the spring. Tom and his wife, Kim, reside in Lancaster.
“Our goal in 2006 will be to put ourselves in position to make the playoffs,” Herr said. “Heading into this season, there is far less of an ‘unknown’ factor and we have a more tangible roster in place. I am looking forward to spring training and getting ready for the season.”
|
Rick Wise will return as pitching coach in 2006
|
 [Back]
|
|
