Meet Rebecca

About TheBaseballPHD

Rebecca L. Herman, PhD 

You could say that baseball is Dr. Herman’s blood. Her maternal grandmother, Jenny Rausch, played professional women’s baseball for the Acos Candy Kids during WWII. She enjoyed many games at the ballpark across the street from her grandmother’s – Bosse Field (3^rdoldest ballpark still in operation) where the Evansville Triplets – Detroit’s AAA team at the time – called home. In 1991, Dr. Herman was able to be an extra in the movie, “A League of Their Own” that was filmed at Bosse Field.

She is a Founders’ Club and Platinum Season Ticket Holder for the Padres and she and her son are also on a quest to visit every ballpark (22 thus far). Cactus League Spring Training and the Arizona Fall League are standard experiences each year.

In the Fall of 2011, Rebecca teamed up with Howard Fero to begin a research project: Lead Me Out to the Ballgame  – providing a fresh and in-depth perspective on the leadership of Major League Baseball Managers. Beginning with Spring Training in March of 2012, throughout the 2012 Major League Baseball season, and Spring Training again in 2013, Drs. Howard Fero and Rebecca Herman, set out to identify the leadership techniques, attitudes, and behaviors that Major League Baseball (MLB) managers use to engage their team, build trust, and create their team.  To do this, they interviewed current and former MLB managers, current and former players, executives, and members of the media and learned what they believe makes for a successful leader in a Major League clubhouse. The Roster of participants now includes 17 managers and coaches, 19 MLB teams, and over 100 MLB players. The book is NOW AVAILABLE!

In February of 2013, Rebecca launched TheBaseballPHD as a place to write about her experiences researching Lead Me Out to the Ballgame, her love of the San Diego Padres, and to share her visits to Ballparks. However, in March she determined that her Padres deserved a focus all their own – so she teamed up with her dear friend and fellow baseball fan (and blogger) – Wayne McBrayer – and began planning Padres360 … taking a 360 degree view of ALL things Padres!

Rebecca is currently researching every Major League Manager for her site, Major League Leader.

When not engaged in baseball, Dr. Herman works full-time as a Graduate Professor of Leadership and Organization Development at Kaplan University. Dr. Herman earned her PhD in Organization and Management from Capella University. Prior to earning her doctorate, Dr. Herman completed a MA in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix and a BS in Business Administration from the University of Evansville. In addition to her academic credentials, she is also certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR).

Visit Rebecca’s Homepage for additional information.