Hebner Signs With Phillies

Richie Hebner signed Tuesday as a free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies and will inherit the first base job vacated by Dick Allen. Hebner said he had also negotiated with the Pirates, Baltimore and Texas. Hebner, 27, was a third baseman throughout his career with the Pirates, but he has played first on occasion, and the Phillies are convinced he can make the switch comfortably.

Hebner's three-year contract reportedly was for $500.000 -- considerably less money than some of the other "name" free agents signed for. What attracted the Phillies even more was Hebner's bat, which has produced 121 home runs in eight seasons at Pittsburgh. Hebner bats lefthanded and hit .249 with eight homers and 51 RBI for the Pirates last season.