The life and times of Bob Herold
The last-shot taking, Western-loving, home-grown head coach of UNO's baseball team
Jason Sibson and Kevin Clemens
Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: Sports
|
From coaching alongside current Boston Red Sox Manager Terry Francona to regularly playing pickup basketball games with Michael Jordan, the avenue of baseball has led Herold through a ride filled with stories and, ultimately, success.
Now in his ninth season as UNO's head baseball coach, he uses his baseball knowledge to teach his players and staff about not only the game of baseball but also about life lessons he has learned along the way.
"Well, it's been super," said Herold about coaching at his alma mater. "It's given me the chance to come home and coach at the school I played at-it's been absolutely great."
Herold's coaching experience dates back long before 1999, his first season as the head coach of the Mavericks.
During his time as a hitting coach in an Arizona fall league, Herold coached under two-time World Series champion Francona. There, he coached a ruthless competitor and someone who had already made a bit of a name for himself in a different sport.
"It was in Michael's contract not to play basketball, but who could pass up the opportunity to play with Michael Jordan?" Herold said. "I remember at one point Michael telling me, 'If you're open, shoot the ball.'"
Apparently, what Jordan says on the court and what Jordan means can be two different things.
"One time, I tried to take the game winning shot, and I missed. Michael came up to me after the game and looked at me and said, 'Hey man, I'm the one who takes the last shot. The great player is the guy who takes the last shot, and the good player is the guy who passes the ball to the great player.'
"Oh man, it was great."
Herold's expertise on the diamond stems from an exceptional career as a player.
Herold was a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-American as a UNO Maverick in 1971. He then went on to play 21 seasons as a professional, which included time in the Kansas City Royals organization and Mexican and South American leagues.
Be the first to comment on this story