PLAINVIEW - More than a few Northeast Nebraskans made regular stops to the former Short Stop Drive-in here over the years.
They didn't necessarily need any beer or soft drinks. They just wanted to talk baseball.
For during the winter months, the man who could be found behind the counter was one who could count Reggie Jackson, Rollie Fingers, Keith Hernandez and other baseball legends as among his friends.
Vern Hoscheit, a coach on four World Series championship teams with the Oakland Athletics and the New York Mets, died Monday in Pierce at the age of 85.
Private family funeral services are set for Saturday at 3 p.m. at Brockhaus Funeral Home in Creighton. Visitation will be Friday from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Hoscheit died at the Pierce Manor after never fully recovering from a series of strokes that began five years ago, said his son, Billy Ray Hoscheit of rural Osmond.
Hoscheit, who was born and raised south of Brunswick, retired to Plainview in 1991. He spent the last five years as a resident of the Pierce Manor.
The 1939 Brunswick High School graduate spent over 50 years involved in the game he loved. He began his career in the New York Yankees' farm system and spent time with the Baltimore Orioles, Oakland Athletics, New York Mets and California Angels.
Most of his playing days were spent as a catcher in the Yankee's farm system for 12 seasons starting in 1941. He then was general manager for Quincy (1955-56), Peoria (1957), Greensboro (1958-59), then became president of the Three-I League in 1960.
In 1962, Hoscheit secured a position with a major league team when he was hired as a scout and minor league camp coordinator with the Baltimore Orioles. He was promoted to the team's bullpen coach in 1968 and took a similar position with the A's in 1969.
He was a part of the team during its 1972 World Series championship season, and coached pitchers Vida Blue, John "Blue Moon" Odom and Jim "Catfish" Hunter. In all, Hoscheit won three championship rings with the A's.
He joined the Angels as a scout in 1975 and later became the team's bullpen coach.
He retired in 1977 in order to return to Plainview and owned and operated Short Stop Drive-In. He also coached son Billy Ray's baseball teams.
"We were using batting gloves in Little League that major league players once wore," Billy Ray Hoscheit said. "We have a lot of autographed baseballs and bats."
The New York Mets lured him out of retirement in 1983 to become the manager and camp coordinator of the team's rookie-league team in Sarasota, Fla.
One year later, Hoscheit was named the Mets' bullpen coach and subsequently spent the last three years of his career as a catching instructor for the Mets before retiring.
During his tenure with the Mets, Hoscheit was part of the 1986 World Series and watched from the bullpen as Bill Buckner's two-out, ninth-inning error in Game 6 led the Mets' to the World Series championship.
"It's amazing how many good friends he made," Billy Ray Hoscheit said. "They called him Dad because I called him Dad."
After retirement, Hoscheit continued to follow baseball but spoke of how it changed during a 2000 interview with the Daily News.
"The game is too easy today," he said. "There are too many home runs, and pitchers don't get any kind of strike zone."
In addition to his son, other immediate survivors are daughters Cathy Jean Brodhagen of Grand Island and Sherri Ann Huigens of Plainview.
Reader Comments
Posted: Monday, June 25, 2007
Article comment by:
Lewis Marshall Gilbert
I was a member of the Yankees Organization in the 50's. I played for Vern in 1954-56 at Quincy, Il. I was a 1st baseman. The Skipper was by far the best Manager I ever played for. I shall always remember him. My memories are many.
Marshall Tookie Gilbert
Posted: Thursday, June 14, 2007
Article comment by:
Sheri Huigens
To the family:
Vern was not just a small town man and a MLB icon he was a wonder man that had time for all ages. It was an privilage and honor to know him. He always had time for Billy's friends. He will be greatly missed.
Posted: Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Article comment by:
Michelle Hoscheit
Billy Ray and I were really pleased with this article. Thank you for pointing out that he was still a still a small-town man as well as MLB icon.
