Paster Brings Pro Experience to Legion Game

Dick Paster only got to realize his baseball dreams for a few years, but, for decades now, he's helped hundreds of others pursue theirs.

"I like to see the high school underclassmen come in, develop and go on to play college ball," said Paster, who's coached the Westwood Legion team to 299 wins over his 22 years. "I like to see a guy come on and get a chance."

Today, he has a shot to capture his 300th win, when his Post 320 squad (7-5) hosts Needham (4-7) at 5:45 p.m. at Westwood High School.

It's been more than 40 years since the 64-year-old Paster got his big chance.

After a stellar senior season at Northeastern University, Paster, a Brookline native, was drafted by his hometown Boston Red Sox. An outfielder, who batted cleanup everywhere he went, Paster bounced around Red Sox farm clubs for three years in Jamestown, N.Y., Greenville and Winston-Salem, S.C., and Winter Haven, Fla., most of which are now defunct.

"There was no Pawtucket Red Sox or Portland Sea Dogs (the team's current Triple-A and Double-A affiliates) when I was playing," he said while laughing.

After that, Paster joined the Boston Park League as a player and manager. He's in both the BPL and Northeastern University halls of fame.

Since then, Paster, an attorney in Quincy, has been coaching in Westwood, where he lives, and has been piling up the wins. His career record is 299-219-16 in what Paster believes is the best league around for aspiring college players.

"American Legion is at the top of the pecking order," he said without a doubt.

Although he was an intense player, Paster is usually a positive, supportive voice in the dugout, according to his players.

"He'll definitely let you know when you're doing something wrong," said T.J. Manning, a former Xaverian Brothers High School shortstop in his third year on the team, "but, for the most part, he's pretty laid back. He lets things run their course, let his players play."

Paster likes to work with players on their fundamentals, especially before the season starts. "Once you teach them," he said, "then it's up to them to get it done in between the white lines."

"When they need a kick," he added, "they get a kick, and when they need a pat on the back, they get that too."

Paster has seen about a half dozen of his former players go on to play professional baseball.

With more than 500 games under his belt in Legion alone, Paster said he's still not tired of the game he's always loved.

"Every game is a little different," he said. "Even when you think you've seen it all, something new always comes up every night."

As for his fast-approaching 300th win, Paster said it will mean a lot more if it helps this year's team make the playoffs. Otherwise, it'll just be another footnote, he said.

Manning said Paster has put so much into the Westwood Legion program, including keeping detailed stats of every team he's ever coached.

"He definitely deserves it," he said of Paster's upcoming milestone. "I know it means a lot to him, so it will mean a lot to us too."