Hebner To Continue As Keys Skipper In 2009
January 13, 2009 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release
Frederick, MD - The Baltimore Orioles have announced that former 18-year big league infielder Richie Hebner will be back as manager of the Frederick Keys for the 2009 season. Hebner will be joined by Field Coach JJ Cannon (3rd Year), Pitching Coach Kennie Steenstra (1st Year), Athletic Trainer Patrick Wesley (1st Year) and Strength and Conditioning Coach Curtis Wildes (1st Year).
"We are extremely pleased to have Richie and JJ back with the Keys in 2009", Keys General Manager Dave Ziedelis said. "With an influx of talent on its way to Frederick we look forward to working together towards another great season."
Hebner was part of the 1971 World Series Champion Pittsburgh Pirates and played with five teams before concluding his career with the Chicago Cubs in 1985. After leaving the game as a player, Hebner's coaching resume is vast, as a manager, hitting coach and field coach throughout baseball. He was a coach for the Boston red Sox (1989-91) and the Philadelphia Phillies (2001). Hebner managed prior in Class-A Myrtle Beach (1988) and Triple-A Syracuse (1995-96) both times in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. Most recently, Hebner was Hitting Coach in Triple-A Durham (2002-06) and Double-A Birmingham (2007). Hebner guided the Keys to a 35-55 record after taking over as manager on May 26th.
Cannon remains for his third year as field coach of the Frederick Keys. An outfielder who spent parts of four seasons in the major leagues with Houston and Toronto, Cannon began his coaching career in the Carolina League with the Kinston Blue Jays in 1983. Cannon was an 11-year manager in the minor leagues with three different organizations (1991-2001) before joining the Orioles ranks in 2007.
Steenstra takes over as pitching coach in Frederick after spending the last four years in that role with Class-A Delmarva in the Orioles organization. Steenstra was an 11-year minor league pitcher, nine of them at the Triple-A level. He pitched with seven different organizations, including the Orioles, in that span. Steenstra made a brief stint with the Chicago Cubs in 1998. His coaching career began in the independent Northern League with Lincoln in 2004. 2009 will be his fifth year in the Orioles organization.
Wesley will be in his sixth season as an athletic trainer in the Orioles organization, and first in Frederick. Wesley began his stint with the Orioles as an athletic training intern in 2003 at the Orioles minor league complex in Sarasota, FL. Since then he has worked as an athletic trainer with Rookie Level Bluefield (2004-05), Short Season-A Aberdeen (2006) and Class-A Delmarva (2007-08).
Wildes will begin his second season in the Orioles organization and first with the Keys after fulfilling the same post with Rookie Advanced Bluefield in 2008. Wildes has degrees from the University of Findlay (OH) and the University of Hawaii and has worked in the past as an athletic trainer with USA Gymnastics and Real Salt Lake FC of Major League Soccer.
Opening Night for the 2009 season at Harry Grove Stadium is Friday, April 17th at 7:00 p.m. against the Salem Red Sox. Ticket plans are available now by contacting the Keys at 301-815-9900 or online at frederickkeys.com.
Carolina League Stories from January 13, 2009
- Four Former Blue Rocks Invited To Major League Spring Training - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Blue Rocks Dominate Royals Awards - Wilmington Blue Rocks
- Hebner To Continue As Keys Skipper In 2009 - Frederick Keys
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