Rollie Fingers
The mustachioed reliever who redefined the closer role and won three World Series with the Oakland Athletics.
Roland Glen Fingers (born August 25, 1946) is an American former right handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for three teams between 1968 and 1985. His effectiveness helped to redefine the value of relievers within baseball and to usher in the modern closer role. A seven-time All-Star, he led the major leagues in saves three times, and was named Rolaids Relief Man of the Year four times. He first gained prominence as a member of the Oakland Athletics championship teams of the early 1970s, when his flamboyant handlebar mustache made him perhaps the most identifiable member of The Mustache Gang, which led Oakland to become the only non-New York Yankees team ever to win three consecutive World Series titles. Fingers was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1974 World Series after earning a win in the opener and saves in the last three games to secure the title.
- Role
- Relief Pitcher / Closer
- Team Tenure
- 1968–1976
- Championships
- 3 World Series Titles (with Oakland)
- Hall of Fame
- Inducted 1992
- All-Star Selections
- Seven-time All-Star
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Fingers joined the San Diego Padres as a free agent after the 1976 season, and led the major leagues with 35 saves in 1977 before tying the National League single season record with 37 saves the following year. Traded to the Milwaukee Brewers after the 1980 season, he led that team to its first playoff appearance in 1981, receiving the American League Most Valuable Player Award and Cy Young Award after earning 28 saves in the strike-shortened season with an earned run average of only 1.04, allowing just 9 runs in 78 innings pitched. He also helped them reach the World Series in 1982, the team's only appearance to date. Having surpassed Hoyt Wilhelm's major league record for career saves in 1980, Fingers was the first pitcher to reach 300 saves, and retired after the 1985 season with 341 saves, which remained the record until surpassed by Jeff Reardon in 1992. He set franchise records for career saves for all three of his teams, holding the Athletics mark from 1973 to 1990, the Padres record from 1977 to 1997, and the Brewers record from 1984 to 1989. He is also particularly remembered for his 'long saves' of two or more innings, for which he still holds the record of 135. At the end of his career he also ranked third in major league history in career games pitched (944), relief wins (107) and relief innings pitched (1,505+2⁄3), and second in strikeouts in relief (1,183); he held the Padres franchise record for career games pitched from 1980 to 1989. His career ERA of 2.90 ranked eighth among pitchers with at least 1,500 innings pitched after 1930. Fingers was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992, making him just the second reliever elected after Wilhelm. Both the Athletics and Brewers retired his uniform number following his induction.
In Their Own Story
The ninth inning hung heavy over the Coliseum at night. The scoreboard flickered, showing a one-run lead. Fingers stepped onto the mound, adjusting his cap as the crowd noise swelled into a deafening roar. He wiped his glove, eyes locked on the batter who had been hitting well all series. With two outs and a runner on second, he wound up. The pitch snapped over the plate, and the batter swung just inches wide. Strike three. Fingers nodded once to catcher Gene Tenace, the mustache twitching slightly in satisfaction as the season moved one step closer to glory.
Reader's Guide
Fingers was born in Steubenville, Ohio, to George Michael Fingers and Edna Pearl (née Stafford) Fingers. His father had played minor league baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals and roomed with Stan Musial. The family moved to Cucamonga (San Bernardino County), later incorporated as part of Rancho Cucamonga. Fingers attended Upland High School and one semester at Chaffey Junior College. He signed with the Kansas City Athletics on Christmas Eve 1964 for a $13,000 signing bonus, turning down a $20,000 offer from the Los Angeles Dodgers. He made his major league debut in relief on September 15, 1968, against the Detroit Tigers. His last regular rotation start was on May 15, 1971, against the Kansas City Royals, where he gave up one run on four hits in five full innings. He made two starts in 1973—April 21 at home versus the Angels and May 7 on the road against the Orioles, the latter being the final start of his career. During the 1973 season, Fingers broke John Wyatt's record of 73 career saves with the Athletics. Just prior to the start of the 1974 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Fingers and Blue Moon Odom got into a fight in the A's locker room after Odom made a comment about Fingers's wife. Fingers required six stitches on his head, and Odom sprained his ankle and had a noticeable limp.
Did You Know?
- Fingers was the first pitcher to reach 300 career saves.
- He still holds the record for most 'long saves' of two or more innings, with 135.
- Fingers was the second reliever elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, after Hoyt Wilhelm.
- He won both the AL MVP and Cy Young Award in the strike-shortened 1981 season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Rollie Fingers for the Athletics?
He was a right-handed relief pitcher who played in Oakland from 1968 through 1976. He became famous as a member of The Mustache Gang during their championship run.
What specific role did he fulfill on the mound?
Fingers worked primarily as a closer to finish games for his team. His reliability in high-pressure situations defined his career with the franchise.
How many World Series titles did he win?
He secured three consecutive championships with Oakland between 1972 and 1974. This achievement made them the only non-Yankees team to ever accomplish a three-peat at that time.
What major honors did Rollie Fingers receive?
He was named the Most Valuable Player of the 1974 World Series after saving the final three games. Additionally, he became a seven-time All-Star and entered the Hall of Fame in 1992.
Why is his mustache significant to team history?
His handlebar mustache made him perhaps the most recognizable member of The Mustache Gang. It helped establish a unique identity for Oakland players during their dynasty years.
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