Rich Rollins, who played third base and was twice an All-Star, passed away on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 87. He was instrumental in leading the Minnesota Twins to their first American League pennant in 1965.
The Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians confirmed Rollins’ death, with the Guardians receiving notice from a family member.
Rollins was born on April 16, 1938, in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. He became a reliable infielder during his career, which spanned from 1961 to 1970 in Major League Baseball, primarily with the Twins. More details about his career can be found online.
He joined the Twins during their first season in Minnesota in 1961, after the team moved from Washington, D.C. Rollins made his major league debut on June 16, 1961, against the Chicago White Sox, where he achieved his first hit against future Hall of Fame pitcher Early Wynn.
In 1962, Rollins became a key player for the young franchise, playing 159 games at third base and achieving a .298 batting average with 16 home runs and 96 RBIs. His performance that year earned him a spot in both of the season’s All-Star games, during a time when Major League Baseball held two midsummer classics each year.
That year, Rollins received the most All-Star Game votes of any American League player and finished eighth in AL MVP voting. His teammates named him the team’s MVP for his contributions.
In 1963, Rollins achieved a career-high .307 batting average with 16 home runs, despite enduring a broken jaw from a pitch. His batting average ranked third in the American League.
Dave St. Peter, President and CEO of the Twins, remarked on social media: “RIP Rich Rollins. Popular member of the 1965 AL Champion @Twins.”
The 1965 season was significant for Rollins and the Twins. He played in 140 games, contributing to the team’s first American League title after relocating to Minnesota from Washington, DC. Despite a .249 batting average, his experience was valuable to the team.
Rollins took three pinch-hit appearances in the seven-game World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers but did not secure any hits.
Among Rollins’ career achievements, he led the major leagues in triples with 10 in 1964 and played over 135 games in four of his eight seasons with the Twins. On June 9, 1966, he and four other Twins hit five home runs in a single inning against the Kansas City Athletics, matching a major league record.
After eight years with the Twins, Rollins was selected by the expansion Seattle Pilots in the 1968 draft. He played one season in Seattle before the team moved to Milwaukee and became the Brewers. Rollins’ playing career concluded with the Cleveland franchise in 1970.
During his MLB career, Rollins achieved a .269 batting average, 77 home runs, and 399 RBIs in 1,002 games. While mainly a third baseman, he also played second base, shortstop, and occasionally in the outfield.
Rollins’ path to success was not straightforward. At Kent State University in Ohio (1958-1960), he was a three-time All-Mid-American Conference selection as a second baseman with a career batting average of .383, second only to Thurman Munson in school history.
Rollins once noted that he was not naturally talented despite his collegiate success. “I knew I had to do something about my strength because I wasn’t a natural,” he said. “We had a high school graduating class of 500 kids, and I was the smallest kid in the class.”
After graduating in 1960, Rollins signed with the Washington Senators as an undrafted free agent. He started in the Class B Carolina League, batting .341 in 62 games, and quickly progressed through the minor leagues to reach the majors the following year.
Following his playing career, Rollins stayed active in baseball, working as an associate scout for the Indians in northeastern Ohio and later moving into their front office to direct group ticket sales. He also worked with the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers in an administrative position.
Bob DiBiasio, senior vice president of public affairs for the Cleveland Guardians, expressed sorrow over the loss of his friend and former colleague, recognizing Rollins as one of Cleveland’s finest sandlot players.
Rollins received several honors throughout his life, including induction into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (1976), the Kent State Sports Hall of Fame (1979), the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame (1989), and the Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame (2001).
Rollins is survived by his wife, Lynn, six children, his sister Kathleen, and numerous grandchildren.
