Rich Rollins, a member of 1965 Twins pennant winning team passes away

Richard John Rollins, known to baseball fans as Rich Rollins, passed away on May 13, 2025 at the age of 86 in Akron, Ohio, leaving behind a legacy that embodies perseverance, talent, and the spirit of the game. A two-time All-Star and a key contributor to the Minnesota Twins’ 1965 American League pennant-winning season, Rollins carved out a successful career despite early doubts about his abilities.

Early Life and Passion for Baseball

Born on April 16, 1938, in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, Rich inherited a deep love for baseball from his father, an ambidextrous welder who played in coal mining leagues. When the family relocated to the Cleveland area, young Rich immersed himself in the game, playing multiple positions—second base, third base, and catcher—for Parma High School. He also played second base for an American Legion team, all while working at Cleveland Indians games as a popcorn vendor.

His journey to professional baseball was far from straightforward. Initially enrolling at Ohio University after high school, Rollins soon received a scholarship offer from Kent State University, despite never having been seen by the coach, Matt Resnick. Recommended by Norbert “Nobby” Lewandowski, a pitcher in the Twins’ farm system, Rollins thrived at Kent State. He earned three consecutive selections to the All-Mid-American Conference team at second base and posted an extraordinary .383 career batting average—second only to future Yankees catcher Thurman Munson.

Despite his success, Rollins faced skepticism from scouts who deemed him too small (5’10”), unable to hit curveballs, incapable of turning double plays, and possessing a weak arm. However, Kent State coaches Matt Resnick and Moose Paskert encouraged him to persevere, helping him refine his skills and stay motivated.

A Determined Path to Professional Baseball

Without an amateur draft at the time, Rollins had little recognition from scouts—except Washington Senators scout Floyd Baker, who invited him to a tryout in June 1960. Baker saw potential in Rollins, telling a reporter, “I liked his attitude. I knew he was willing to pay the price, to work hard.”

Despite initial setbacks—including an offer to play for the Senators’ Class D team, which Rollins declined—he ultimately negotiated a placement at the Class B Wilson Tobs in North Carolina, where he began his professional career. He wasted no time proving himself, hitting an impressive .341 in 62 games under manager Jack McKeon.

Rollins spent much of 1961 in the minors, playing for the Charlotte Hornets and the Syracuse Chiefs. However, he saw action in 20 games with the Minnesota Twins—the former Senators, who had relocated to Minnesota that year. His major league debut was a glimpse of what was to come.

Breakout Rookie Season and All-Star Recognition

Rollins’ official rookie season in 1962 was nothing short of spectacular. He hit .298 with 16 home runs and 96 RBIs, earning him a starting spot at third base in both of that year’s All-Star Games. Fans and league officials alike took notice—Rollins received more votes (184 out of a possible 280) than any other player in the American League, surpassing legends Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris.

His performance in the All-Star Games—going 2-for-5 with a hit-by-pitch and a run scored—solidified his reputation as a rising star. His Twins teammates also named him the team’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for 1962.

Battles with Injury and Perseverance

Despite high expectations for 1963, Rollins’ season took a devastating turn before it even started. In an exhibition game against the Detroit Tigers, pitcher Paul Foytack struck him in the jaw with a fastball, breaking it severely. For weeks, Rollins struggled to eat solid food and missed critical early-season games. Twins trainer George Lentz even traveled with wire cutters in case Rollins needed his jaw opened during flights due to air sickness.

Still, he fought through the setback, returning to play flawless defense at third base and continuing to contribute offensively.

In 1964, Rollins led the American League with 10 triples, showcasing his speed and offensive skill. However, by 1965, his playing time dwindled, and he appeared in only three pinch-hitting opportunities during the Twins’ World Series matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The rollercoaster continued in 1966, when Rollins pushed legendary slugger Harmon Killebrew out to left field. He notably hit one of five Twins’ home runs in a single inning against the Kansas City Athletics. However, illness and a midseason slump left him appearing in just 90 games, batting .245.

Final Years in the Majors

In 1967, Rollins overcame multiple injuries—including an infected hand and bruised knee—earning back his starting job at third base. However, a knee injury sidelined him for three weeks, and an arthritic hip condition made playing painful. At the end of the season, frustrated, he considered retirement. Twins owner Calvin Griffith convinced him to undergo surgery at the Mayo Clinic, where doctors removed lateral cartilage from his knee.

In 1968, Rollins fought for the third-base job against Ron Clark, Graig Nettles, and César Tovar. He endured further setbacks—including a freak accident where a vendor spilled a 10-gallon coffee urn on his leg. He also suffered a deep wound from a bad-hop grounder off Andy Kosco‘s bat, requiring stitches. Despite these challenges, he appeared in 93 games but hit just .241.

On October 15, 1968, Rollins’ tenure with the Twins ended when he was selected by the expansion Seattle Pilots. He started at third base for the Pilots’ first-ever game in April 1969 but struggled with injuries. By midseason, he underwent knee surgery and was placed on the 60-day disabled list, effectively ending his season.

The Pilots relocated to Milwaukee in 1970, becoming the Brewers. Rollins played sparingly before being released. A week later, the Cleveland Indians signed him, intending to use him as a pinch-hitter and starter against left-handers. He played his final major league game on September 26, 1970.

There was a short but very interesting article about Rich Rollins in Time Magazine on July 20, 1962 entitled “Sport: Who’s on Third?“

I did an interview with Rich Rollins back in 2009 that is about an hour long that you can listen to here.

SABR player Bio for Rich Rollins

Post-Playing Career and Legacy

Even after retiring from professional play, Rollins remained deeply connected to baseball. He ran camps, pitched batting practice for the Indians alongside Rocky Colavito, and worked as a scout before transitioning to a sales job with the team. Later, he joined the Cleveland Cavaliers in an administrative role.

His achievements were celebrated with multiple Hall of Fame inductions:

• Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (1976) (along with George Blanda & Arnold Palmer)
• Kent State Sports Hall of Fame (1979)
• Summit County Sports Hall of Fame (1999)
• Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame (2001)
• Named to Kent State’s All-Time Baseball Team (2014)

A Life Well-Lived

Rich is survived by his beloved wife, Lynn, and their six children: John (Michelle), Shannon Inhouse (née Rollins), Jim (Amy), Patrick (Angela), Ashlea Justice, (Kent) and Allyson Oswandel (Kevin). He is also survived by his sister, Kathleen Shupe (Jeff), and his grandchildren: Jessica Williams (Justin) (née Justice), Ryan Rollins, Richard (Alex) Rollins, Jonathan Justice, Jack Inhouse, Jacob Justice, Olivia Rollins, Ian Rollins, Sean Rollins, Maxwell Inhouse, and Clara Lynn Rollins. Rich was preceded in death by his parents, John and Margaret, and his brother, Jim. His legacy extends beyond baseball—his perseverance, leadership, and love for the game made him a respected figure both on and off the field.

Rest in peace, Rich Rollins. Your contributions to baseball and the lives you touched will not be forgotten. Twinstrivia.com would like to thank you for all the great memories from your time in Minnesota.

Richard Rollins Obituary

Minnesota Star Tribune Rollins Obituary