Rich Rollins--1968
Rich Rollins looks more like a defensive
back than a third baseman in his '68
card. Of course, by then the former Kent
State product had distinguished himself
as a fumbling third sacker who tackled
ground balls while he provided the Twins
with a solid bat through a good portion of
the early 1960's.
From 1962 through 1964, Rollins hit .270
or better, while he averaged 15 homers
and 75 RBI per season. He also
averaged 26 errors at the hot corner
during the three seasons; twice leading
American League third basemen in
miscues, which helps explain his football
secondary mentality with his glove.
On the strength of his bat, Rollins made
both American League All-Star squads in
1962. The righty swinger also led the AL
with ten triples in '64. Lastly, he was the
first of five Twins to hit consecutive
homers on June 5, 1966 versus the
Kansas City A's.
But, oh... the defense.
We do give him credit, as Rollins tried to
improve his defense, as noted in the
August 1966 issue of Baseball Digest:
"He once brought a weighted glove to
spring training. He wanted to see if
using it in practice would make his
glove hand lighter, quicker. It was
something like the weighted bat the
players swing before hitting."
It didn't work.
Editor's Note: Rollins would play ten
seasons in the bigs, hitting .269-77-399
for the Twins, Pilots, Brewers and
Indians. He also logged a career .947
fielding percentage at third base and a
.940 mark at second base.
(5/12/10)
back than a third baseman in his '68
card. Of course, by then the former Kent
State product had distinguished himself
as a fumbling third sacker who tackled
ground balls while he provided the Twins
with a solid bat through a good portion of
the early 1960's.
From 1962 through 1964, Rollins hit .270
or better, while he averaged 15 homers
and 75 RBI per season. He also
averaged 26 errors at the hot corner
during the three seasons; twice leading
American League third basemen in
miscues, which helps explain his football
secondary mentality with his glove.
On the strength of his bat, Rollins made
both American League All-Star squads in
1962. The righty swinger also led the AL
with ten triples in '64. Lastly, he was the
first of five Twins to hit consecutive
homers on June 5, 1966 versus the
Kansas City A's.
But, oh... the defense.
We do give him credit, as Rollins tried to
improve his defense, as noted in the
August 1966 issue of Baseball Digest:
"He once brought a weighted glove to
spring training. He wanted to see if
using it in practice would make his
glove hand lighter, quicker. It was
something like the weighted bat the
players swing before hitting."
It didn't work.
Editor's Note: Rollins would play ten
seasons in the bigs, hitting .269-77-399
for the Twins, Pilots, Brewers and
Indians. He also logged a career .947
fielding percentage at third base and a
.940 mark at second base.
(5/12/10)
