BUTCH HOBSON, MANAGER
After an extensive search, Southern Maryland Blue Crabs owner Brooks Robinson announced on November 19, 2007 that former Boston Red Sox Manager and third baseman Butch Hobson would be the first-ever Manager and Director of Baseball Operations for the Blue Crabs.

"I am so pleased to welcome Butch into our 'Crustacean Nation' family and to have him leading the Blue Crabs in our inaugural season," said Robinson. "I have gotten to know Butch well over the years and throughout this interview process and I know that the work ethic and toughness which he exemplified as a player will become trademarks of our club."

Hobson, 56, had an eight-year Major League playing career as a third baseman, mostly with the Boston Red Sox from 1975-1980. After retiring as a player following the 1986 season, Hobson began his lengthy coaching and managerial career, highlighted by managing the Major League Red Sox from 1992-1994. For the past eight seasons, Hobson has managed the Nashua Pride in the Atlantic League and Can-Am League, leading the club to league championships in 2000 and 2007.

"As a player, I emulated Brooks Robinson, so it is an absolute honor to be a part of his organization and for him to give me this exciting, new opportunity," said Hobson. "I am thrilled to be back in the Atlantic League, where the caliber of play is tremendous and so many players have Major League experience. Andy and I, along with the rest of our staff, will work hard to help get our players (back) to the Major League level."

A native of Tuscaloosa, AL, Hobson was selected by the Red Sox in the eighth round of the 1973 draft following an illustrious career as a football player at the University of Alabama under the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant. In this senior year, Hobson gave up football to concentrate on baseball and would eventually be named to the University of Alabama's All-Century baseball team.

Hobson made his big league debut with the Red Sox in 1975 and had his best season in 1977, when he set team records for a third baseman with 30 home runs (8 th in league) and 112 RBI (4th). After six seasons in Boston, Hobson was sent to the California Angels for the 1981 season and ended his big league playing career with the New York Yankees in 1982. In 738 career Major League games, he batted .248 with 98 homers and 397 RBI.

"We have been conducting this search for many weeks and have talked to numerous qualified candidates, but in the end we kept coming back to Butch Hobson," said Robinson. "Through his experiences in the game, it is clear that he shares our philosophy on how the game should be played and how to treat players. We think Butch is a perfect fit to lead our team here in Southern Maryland."

After three more seasons as a player in Triple-A Columbus, Hobson returned to the game as manager of the New York Mets Single-A Columbia team in 1987-88. He re-joined the Red Sox organization in 1989 and managed at Double-A New Britain for two years and Triple-A Pawtucket for one season. During the 1991 season with Pawtucket, Hobson guided the PawSox to the championship, getting swept by the Columbus Clippers. However, Hobson was named the Baseball America Minor League and International League Manager of the Year.

Following the end of the 1991 season, Hobson was named to replace Joe Morgan as manager of the Boston Red Sox. In three years as Red Sox skipper from 1992-1994, Hobson compiled a 207-232 record before being replaced by Kevin Kennedy. Prior to his tenure with the Nashua Pride, Hobson managed for the Philadelphia Phillies organization, before re-joining the Red Sox organization for three years.

"My goals will be simple – to get players back to the big leagues and to win a championship," said Hobson. "I want to find the type of players that our fans can relate to. Hard-nosed, blue collar guys are the type of guys we will go after. We will spend most of our time on the field, not in the clubhouse."