Rollie Hemsley
Encyclopedia
Ralston Burdett Hemsley (June 24, 1907 – July 31, 1972) was a professional
baseball
catcher
. Born in Syracuse, Ohio
, he played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball
. He was nicknamed "Rollicking Rollie".
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
, playing 50 games. After spending his first two seasons backing up Charlie Hargreaves
, he became the starting catcher for the Pirates for the 1930
season. The following season, Hemsley played 10 games before he was traded to the Chicago Cubs
for Earl Grace. He spent his time as a Cub backing up Hall of Famer
Gabby Hartnett
, though was able to bat .309 during his tenure on the Cubs for the 1931
season. He played with the Cubs during their run to the 1932 World Series
, though Hemsley ended up without a hit in three pinch hit appearances. At the end of the 1932
season, Hemsley was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
along with Johnny Moore
, Lance Richbourg, and Bob Smith for Babe Herman
. He struggled in Cincinnati, hitting under .200 while playing under another Hall of Famer, Ernie Lombardi
. On August 12, 1933
, he was traded to the St. Louis Browns
for Jack Crouch
.
Hemsley became the starting catcher for the Browns in the 1934
season, and his best years were with the St. Louis Browns
in 1934 and 1935
, when he hit .309 and .290 respectively. He also hit 7 triple
s both years, a career high. His effort in 1935 also earned him his first spot on the All-Star
team, as well as 9th place in MVP voting. He played well for two more seasons for the Browns, but a batting average of .222 in 1937
, as well as a suspension for violation of team rules on July 2, 1937, led to a trade on February 10, 1938
. Hemsley was traded to the Cleveland Indians
for Ed Cole, Roy Hughes
, and Billy Sullivan, Jr.
on the recommendation of Bob Feller
, who had been impressed with Hemsley's catching skills. He spent the 1938 season backing up Frankie Pytlak
but, became known as Feller's personal catcher. Hemsley became the starter in 1939
after Pytlak went down with an injury, and played well enough to earn his third All-Star bid. On opening day of the 1940
season, Hemsley caught Feller's no-hitter
, becoming the only catcher to catch an opening day no-hit game. He also drove in the only run of the game with a triple. His consistency in the 1940 season saw him lead the American League catchers with a .994 fielding percentage
, and led to a couple MVP votes as well as his fourth All-Star appearance.
After playing another season in Cleveland, Hemsley was purchased by the Cincinnati Reds for a second stint on December 4, 1941
. He was a disappointing stint with the Reds, playing 36 games and ending with a batting average of only .113, and was released by the Reds on July 17 as a result. However, two days later he was signed to a contract by the New York Yankees
. His signing by the Yankees came when starter Bill Dickey
went down with a shoulder injury. When Dickey's backup, Buddy Rosar
, left the team without permission to take examinations to join the Buffalo police force and, to be with his wife who was about to have a baby, Yankees manager Joe McCarthy signed Hemsley to be the second string catcher, relegating Rosar to the third string position. Hemsley hit safely in his first six games as a Yankee, and raised his average back to nearly .200 by season's end. He served the 1943
season as a backup to Dickey as the Yankees won the 1943 World Series
. Hemsley played well in 1944
for the Yankees. Despite only playing in 81 games that season, he received a few MVP votes and made it to his 5th All-Star game. He left the team mid-season to join the U.S. Navy
. He did not play during the 1945 season but he was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies
on March 25, 1946
. After backing up Andy Seminick
for a season, he was released, only to be re-signed again by the Phillies. He only played in two games during the 1947
season before being released and retiring.
accumulating 1321 hits
in 5,047 at bats for a .262 career batting average along with 31 home runs, 555 runs batted in, a .311 on base percentage
and a .360 slugging percentage. He had a .978 career fielding percentage. Hemsley led American League catchers twice in assists
, once in fielding percentage, once in baserunners caught stealing
and once in range factor
.
meetings to help himself sober up. He revealed his membership to the press in 1940, becoming the first AA member to break their anonymity on a national level. Hemsley's anonymity break was one of the first developments to raise questions and concern about personal anonymity in the organization.
, was a coach for the Philadelphia Athletics
(1954
) and Washington Senators
(1961–62) and managed in the minor leagues
. He was selected Minor League Manager of the Year by The Sporting News
in while serving as pilot of the Columbus Red Birds
. He died of a heart attack at age 65 on July 31, 1972, in Washington D.C.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
. Born in Syracuse, Ohio
Syracuse, Ohio
Syracuse is a village in Meigs County, Ohio, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 879 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Syracuse is located at ....
, he played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. He was nicknamed "Rollicking Rollie".
Major League career
He began his career in 19281928 Pittsburgh Pirates season
The Pittsburgh Pirates season was the 47th season in franchise history. The team scored the most runs in the National League. However, they also allowed the third most and slipped down to fourth place in the standings.-Offseason:...
for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, playing 50 games. After spending his first two seasons backing up Charlie Hargreaves
Charlie Hargreaves
Charles Russell Hargreaves , is a former professional baseball player who played catcher from 1923-1930.-External links:...
, he became the starting catcher for the Pirates for the 1930
1930 Pittsburgh Pirates season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
season. The following season, Hemsley played 10 games before he was traded to the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
for Earl Grace. He spent his time as a Cub backing up Hall of Famer
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
Gabby Hartnett
Gabby Hartnett
Charles Leo "Gabby" Hartnett was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played almost his entire career in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Chicago Cubs. Until the career of Johnny Bench, Hartnett was considered the greatest catcher in the history of the National League...
, though was able to bat .309 during his tenure on the Cubs for the 1931
1931 Chicago Cubs season
The Chicago Cubs season was a season in American baseball. The team finished third in the National League with a record of 84-70, 17 games behind the St...
season. He played with the Cubs during their run to the 1932 World Series
1932 World Series
The 1932 World Series was played between the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs , with the Yankees holding home field advantage. The Yankees swept the Cubs, four games to none...
, though Hemsley ended up without a hit in three pinch hit appearances. At the end of the 1932
1932 Chicago Cubs season
The Chicago Cubs season was a season in American baseball. The team won the National League pennant with a record of 90-64, finishing four games ahead of the second-place Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cubs lost the 1932 World Series to the New York Yankees in four straight games.- Roster :- Starters by...
season, Hemsley was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
along with Johnny Moore
Johnny Moore (baseball)
John Francis Moore was an outfielder in Major League Baseball.-Sources:...
, Lance Richbourg, and Bob Smith for Babe Herman
Babe Herman
Floyd Caves "Babe" Herman was an American right fielder in Major League Baseball who was best known for his several seasons with the Brooklyn Robins ....
. He struggled in Cincinnati, hitting under .200 while playing under another Hall of Famer, Ernie Lombardi
Ernie Lombardi
Ernesto Natali "Ernie" Lombardi , was a Major League Baseball catcher for the Brooklyn Robins, the Cincinnati Reds, the Boston Braves and the New York Giants during a Hall of Fame career that spanned 17 years, from 1931 to 1947. He had several nicknames, including "Schnozz", "Lumbago", "Bocci",...
. On August 12, 1933
1933 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. The team finished eighth and last in the National League with a record of 58-94, 33 games behind the New York Giants.- Offseason :...
, he was traded to the St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
for Jack Crouch
Jack Crouch (baseball)
Jack Albert Crouch was a Major League Baseball catcher. He played for the St. Louis Browns in 1930, 1931, and 1933, and played for the Cincinnati Reds in 1933.-External links:*...
.
Hemsley became the starting catcher for the Browns in the 1934
1934 St. Louis Browns season
The 1934 St. Louis Browns season involved the Browns finishing 6th in the American League with a record of 67 wins and 85 losses.- Offseason :* December 15, 1933: Ray Pepper was purchased by the Browns from the St. Louis Cardinals.- Roster :...
season, and his best years were with the St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
in 1934 and 1935
1935 St. Louis Browns season
The St. Louis Browns season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Browns finishing 7th in the American League with a record of 65 wins and 87 losses.- Notable transactions :* June 30, 1935: Heinie Mueller was released by the Browns.- Roster :...
, when he hit .309 and .290 respectively. He also hit 7 triple
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
s both years, a career high. His effort in 1935 also earned him his first spot on the All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
team, as well as 9th place in MVP voting. He played well for two more seasons for the Browns, but a batting average of .222 in 1937
1937 St. Louis Browns season
The 1937 St. Louis Browns season involved the Browns finishing 8th in the American League with a record of 46 wins and 108 losses.- Offseason :* December 2, 1936: Ray Pepper was purchased from the Browns by the Buffalo Bisons.- Notable transactions :...
, as well as a suspension for violation of team rules on July 2, 1937, led to a trade on February 10, 1938
1938 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished third in the American League with a record of 86-66, 13 games behind the New York Yankees.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
. Hemsley was traded to the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
for Ed Cole, Roy Hughes
Roy Hughes (baseball)
Roy Hughes , is a former professional baseball player who played second base in the Major Leagues from 1935-46.-Teams:* Cleveland Indians 1935-37* St. Louis Browns 1938-39...
, and Billy Sullivan, Jr.
Billy Sullivan, Jr.
William Joseph Sullivan, Jr. born in Chicago, Illinois was a catcher, first baseman and third baseman for the Chicago White Sox , Cincinnati Reds , Cleveland Indians , St. Louis Browns , Detroit Tigers , Brooklyn Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates...
on the recommendation of Bob Feller
Bob Feller
On December 8, 1941, Feller enlisted in the Navy, volunteering immediately for combat service, becoming the first Major League Baseball player to do so following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. Feller served as Gun Captain aboard the USS Alabama, and missed four seasons during his service...
, who had been impressed with Hemsley's catching skills. He spent the 1938 season backing up Frankie Pytlak
Frankie Pytlak
Frank Anthony Pytlak born in Buffalo, New York was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox...
but, became known as Feller's personal catcher. Hemsley became the starter in 1939
1939 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished third in the American League with a record of 86-66, 13 games behind the New York Yankees.- Roster :- Starters by position :...
after Pytlak went down with an injury, and played well enough to earn his third All-Star bid. On opening day of the 1940
1940 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians season was a season in American baseball. The team finished second in the American League with a record of 89-65, just one game behind the Detroit Tigers.- Regular season :...
season, Hemsley caught Feller's no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
, becoming the only catcher to catch an opening day no-hit game. He also drove in the only run of the game with a triple. His consistency in the 1940 season saw him lead the American League catchers with a .994 fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
, and led to a couple MVP votes as well as his fourth All-Star appearance.
After playing another season in Cleveland, Hemsley was purchased by the Cincinnati Reds for a second stint on December 4, 1941
1942 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fourth in the National League with a record of 76-76, 29 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals.- Offseason :...
. He was a disappointing stint with the Reds, playing 36 games and ending with a batting average of only .113, and was released by the Reds on July 17 as a result. However, two days later he was signed to a contract by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. His signing by the Yankees came when starter Bill Dickey
Bill Dickey
William Malcolm Dickey was a Major League Baseball catcher and manager.He played his entire 19-year baseball career with the New York Yankees . During Dickey's playing career, the Yankees went to the World Series nine times, winning eight championships...
went down with a shoulder injury. When Dickey's backup, Buddy Rosar
Buddy Rosar
Warren Vincent "Buddy" Rosar , was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher from 1939 to 1951 for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Athletics, and Boston Red Sox...
, left the team without permission to take examinations to join the Buffalo police force and, to be with his wife who was about to have a baby, Yankees manager Joe McCarthy signed Hemsley to be the second string catcher, relegating Rosar to the third string position. Hemsley hit safely in his first six games as a Yankee, and raised his average back to nearly .200 by season's end. He served the 1943
1943 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the team's 41st season in New York, and its 43rd season overall. The team finished with a record of 98-56, winning their 14th pennant, finishing 13.5 games ahead of the Washington Senators. Managed by Joe McCarthy, the Yankees played at Yankee Stadium. In the World...
season as a backup to Dickey as the Yankees won the 1943 World Series
1943 World Series
The 1943 World Series matched the defending champion St. Louis Cardinals against the New York Yankees, in a rematch of the 1942 Series. The Yankees won the Series in five games for their tenth championship in 21 seasons. It was Yankees' manager Joe McCarthy's final Series win...
. Hemsley played well in 1944
1944 New York Yankees season
The New York Yankees season was the team's 42nd season in New York, and its 44th season overall. The team finished in third place in the American League with a record of 83-71, finishing 6 games behind the St. Louis Browns. New York was managed by Joe McCarthy...
for the Yankees. Despite only playing in 81 games that season, he received a few MVP votes and made it to his 5th All-Star game. He left the team mid-season to join the U.S. Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. He did not play during the 1945 season but he was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
on March 25, 1946
1946 Philadelphia Phillies season
- Offseason :* Prior to 1946 season: Stan Lopata was signed as an amateur free agent by the Phillies.- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played;...
. After backing up Andy Seminick
Andy Seminick
Andrew Wasal Seminick was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies between 1943 and 1951, and the Cincinnati Reds/Redlegs from 1952 through part of 1955, when he rejoined the Phillies for the rest of his career until...
for a season, he was released, only to be re-signed again by the Phillies. He only played in two games during the 1947
1947 Philadelphia Phillies season
The 1947 Philadelphia Phillies season saw the Phillies finish in seventh place in the National League with a record of 62 wins and 92 losses.-Offseason:* Prior to 1947 season: Carl Sawatski was acquired from the Phillies by the Boston Braves....
season before being released and retiring.
Career statistics
In a 19 year career, Hemsley played in 1593 gamesGames played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
accumulating 1321 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 5,047 at bats for a .262 career batting average along with 31 home runs, 555 runs batted in, a .311 on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
and a .360 slugging percentage. He had a .978 career fielding percentage. Hemsley led American League catchers twice in assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
, once in fielding percentage, once in baserunners caught stealing
Caught stealing
In baseball, a runner is charged, and the fielders involved are credited, with a time caught stealing when the runner attempts to advance or lead off from one base to another without the ball being batted and then is tagged out by a fielder while making the attempt...
and once in range factor
Range Factor
Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
.
Battle with alcoholism
Hemsley was known for having a drinking problem, one which caused him to be kicked off four separate clubs. Hemsley would later attend Alcoholics AnonymousAlcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous is an international mutual aid movement which says its "primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety." Now claiming more than 2 million members, AA was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in Akron, Ohio...
meetings to help himself sober up. He revealed his membership to the press in 1940, becoming the first AA member to break their anonymity on a national level. Hemsley's anonymity break was one of the first developments to raise questions and concern about personal anonymity in the organization.
Post-playing career
After retiring, Hemsley operated a real estate office in Langley Park, MarylandLangley Park, Maryland
Langley Park is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in the Washington, D.C. metro area. It is located inside the Capital Beltway, on the northwest edge of Prince George's County, Maryland, bordering Montgomery County, Maryland....
, was a coach for the Philadelphia Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
(1954
1954 Philadelphia Athletics season
The Philadelphia Athletics season involved the A's finishing 8th in the American League with a record of 51 wins and 103 losses, 60 games behind AL Champion Cleveland in their 54th and final season in Philadelphia, before moving to Kansas City, Missouri for the following season.- Offseason :*...
) and Washington Senators
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
(1961–62) and managed in the minor leagues
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
. He was selected Minor League Manager of the Year by The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
in while serving as pilot of the Columbus Red Birds
Columbus Red Birds
The Columbus Red Birds was the name of a top-level minor league baseball team that played in Columbus, Ohio, in the American Association from 1931 through 1954. The Columbus club, a member of the Association continuously since 1902, was previously known as the Columbus Senators — a typical...
. He died of a heart attack at age 65 on July 31, 1972, in Washington D.C.