2019 65+ MSBL World Series Champion Minnesota Bandits Mourn the Tragic Loss of Greg Beaubien and Rick Boyer

By Steve LaMontia, Director of Communications

75 year-old Frank Hanford is a well-traveled MSBL member who has played in Minnesota, Milwaukee and currently shares residences in Red Wing, Minnesota and Fountain Hills, Arizona.  He has also played on the national tournament stage for many of those years.  Frank spent 13 years working at Milwaukee Brewers Fantasy Camps and experienced a decade as the Brewers Spring Training Public Address announcer in Maryvale.  He is also the manager of the tournament powerhouse and 2019 MSBL World Series 65+ National Division champion Minnesota Bandits, where he managed Greg Beaubien and Rick Boyer.  Both Greg and Rick have recently passed away, creating a void within their teammates and families both on and off the field.  Below are some comments Frank forwarded to MSBL for publication in honor of his long-time friends.

Submitted by Frank Hanford

Our Minnesota Bandits team has lost two teammates since November.  I’ll attempt to provide you with some specifics.

Greg Beaubien, from Yorba Linda, California passed away this past November from brain cancer.  Greg played several years with the St. Paul Saints and most recently with the 2019 65+ MSBL World Series National Division champion Minnesota Bandits.  Before retirement, Greg had a management position with the city of Anaheim, California.  At 68 years old Greg was still coaching high school baseball in California and was planning on returning to play MSBL with his Minnesota team this next fall at the MSBL World Series.

Rick Boyer was also a member of the Minnesota Bandits 2019 65+ National Division championship team.  Rick passed in his sleep February 28.  He received double bypass surgery in December and reportedly had been doing well in rehab.  Rick was a furniture store owner in La Crescent, Minnesota, coached the La Crescent high school baseball team for 45 years, 17 years as the head coach.  His teams won 10 conference titles and appeared in state competition six times, winning one state championship.  He also managed the La Crosse Loggers of the Northwoods Developmental League for two seasons.  Rick was 68 years old and he too was planning on returning to MSBL this next fall with his Minnesota team.