Rollie Hemsley

Ralston Burdett Hemsley

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 170 lb.

• Debut April 19, 1928
• Final Game April 17, 1947
• Born June 24, 1907 in Syracuse, OH USA
• Died July 31, 1972 in Washington, DC USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Catcher Rollie Hemsley was an All-Star five times during a playing career that lasted nearly two decades. Following his playing days, he was a minor league manager and big league coach.

Hemsley reached the majors in 1928 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and became a regular behind the plate in 1930. The next season, he was traded to the Chicago Cubs, where he backed up Gabby Hartnett, and following the 1932 campaign, he was dealt to the Cincinnati Reds, where he was a backup to Ernie Lombardi.

Dealt to the St. Louis Browns late in the 1933 season, Hemsley became a regular starter once again. With St. Louis, he hit .309 in 1934 and was an American League All-Star in 1935 and 1936. His average dipped to .222 in 1937, and prior to the next season, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians for four players.

With the Indians, Hemsley initially backed up regular catcher Frankie Pytlak, but after Pytlak was injured, he took over as the starter behind the plate. He earned another selection to the All-Star team in 1939. On Opening Day 1940, he caught Bob Feller's no-hitter, and he made the AL All-Star squad for the fourth time that summer.

Following a brief stint with the Reds in 1942, Hemsley moved on to the New York Yankees. While playing for New York, he was primarily a backup but earned a fifth selection to the All-Star Game in 1944.

During World War II, Hemsley entered the Navy in August 1944 and was discharged in October 1945. He briefly returned to the majors with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1946 and 1947.

Following his playing days, Hemsley became a minor league manager. With the Columbus Red Birds in 1950, he was named Minor League Manager of the Year by The Sporting News. After stints as a Philadelphia Athletics coach in 1954 and a member of the Washington Senators staff in 1961 and 1962, he returned to the minors to manage again. With the Indianapolis Indians in 1963, he was again named The Sporting News Manager of the Year. He also played and coached in the Cuban Winter League.

Following his baseball days, Hemsley sold real estate in a Washington, DC suburb.

Harlond Clift in the January 1982 issue of Baseball Digest said that Hemsley was the best man at his wedding.

Notable Achievements

• 5-time AL All-Star (1935, 1936, 1939, 1940 & 1944)
• Won a World Series with the New York Yankees in 1943 (he did not play in the World Series)

Year-by-Year Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Organization	Playoffs	Notes
1949	Nashville Vols	Southern Association	95-57	1st	Chicago Cubs	League Champs
1950	Columbus (OH) Red Birds	American Association	84-69	3rd	St. Louis Cardinals	League Champs
1951	Texas City Texans	Gulf Coast League	57-68	--	none	--	replaced by William Rogers (13-16) on August 10
1952	Toledo Mud Hens / Charleston Senators	American Association	46-107	8th	none
1956	Charlotte Hornets	South Atlantic League	79-61	2nd	Washington Senators	Lost in 1st round
1963	Indianapolis Indians	International League	86-67	1st	Chicago White Sox	League Champs
1964	Cedar Rapids Red Raiders	Midwest League	51-69	6th	Cincinnati Reds
1969	Waterloo Hawks	Midwest League	52-72	7th	Kansas City Royals