Rich Rollins, whose 10-year Major League Baseball career was highlighted by two All-Star game appearances and playing in the 1965 World Series with the Twins, passed away on Tuesday.
Rollins, a native of Pennsylvania, was a three-time selection for the All-Mid-American Conference team as a second baseman and had a .383 career batting average while playing for Kent State.
After graduating in June 1960, he signed with the Washington Senators. He began his professional career with Wilson (N.C.) of the Class B Carolina League and hit .341 in 62 games.
Rollins started the 1961 season with Class AAA Syracuse of the International League but after just one at-bat in three weeks he was sent to Charlotte of the Class A Sally League. While with Charlotte, where he hit .270 in 36 games, he was moved to third base. He was recalled the Twins, who were in their first season in Minnesota, in mid-June and made his debut on June 16. Rollins hit .294 in 13 games for the Twins.
In 1962, he hit .298 with 16 home runs and 96 RBI in 159 games for the Twins. He was named an All-Star twice and played in both All-Star games (MLB had two All-Star games from 1959 to 1962). Following the season, in a vote by his teammates, he was named the Twins’ Most Valuable Player.
He hit .307 in 1963 and .270 in 1964.
Following the 1968 season, Rollins was selected by the Seattle Pilots in the expansion draft. He hit .225 in 58 games for the Pilots in 1969. He split the 1970 season with the Milwaukee Brewers, who had relocated from Seattle, and Cleveland, batting .221 in 56 games.
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