RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
Rollie Hemsley, a catcher in Major League Baseball, played for several teams over nearly two decades. Born in Syracuse, Ohio, Hemsley began his professional career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His debut in the major leagues came in 1928, marking the start of a long tenure in the sport. Known for his defensive skills behind the plate, Hemsley
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Rollie Hemsley, a catcher in Major League Baseball, played for several teams over nearly two decades. Born in Syracuse, Ohio, Hemsley began his professional career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His debut in the major leagues came in 1928, marking the start of a long tenure in the sport. Known for his defensive skills behind the plate, Hemsley quickly established himself as a reliable catcher.
After his time with the Pirates, Hemsley moved to the Chicago Cubs in 1931. His stay in Chicago was brief, and he soon found himself with the Cincinnati Reds. However, it was with the St. Louis Browns, starting in 1933, that Hemsley began to gain more recognition. During his years with the Browns, he developed a reputation for his strong arm and ability to manage pitchers effectively.
In 1935, Hemsley joined the Cleveland Indians, where he spent a significant portion of his career. His tenure with the Indians was marked by consistent performance and leadership on the field. Hemsley's skills as a catcher were complemented by his ability to contribute offensively, making him a valuable asset to the team. He was selected for the All-Star Game five times during his career, reflecting his standing among the league's catchers.
Hemsley's career took another turn when he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1938. His time with the Cardinals was relatively short, but he continued to demonstrate his abilities as a catcher. In 1940, he joined the New York Yankees, where he played a role in the team's success during the early 1940s. His experience and knowledge of the game were beneficial to the Yankees' pitching staff.
The latter part of Hemsley's career saw him with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds once again. Despite the challenges of maintaining a long career in professional sports, Hemsley remained a competent and respected player until his retirement in 1947. Throughout his career, he was known for his defensive prowess, leadership qualities, and ability to handle pitchers, which were crucial to his role as a catcher.
Off the field, Hemsley faced personal challenges, including struggles with alcohol. However, he sought help and became an advocate for sobriety, which was a significant aspect of his life beyond baseball. His journey to overcome personal obstacles was an important chapter in his life story.
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The 1942 edition was devoted entirely to major league playing records as compiled by Leonard Gettelson. ONE FOR THE BOOK,...
/ The 1942 edition was devoted entirely to major league playing records as compiled by Leonard Gettelson. ONE FOR THE BOOK, which was first published in 1949, was a continuation of the 1942 Dope Book.
There was at least one "Al Schracht Dope Book" Published by Sporting News in 1944. This edition consisted of dozens of colorful short news snippets with cartoon illustrations, followed by statistics and writeups of current Hall of Famers and past World Series'.
The Dope Book from 1948 thru 1985 was of an entirely different format. It featured a wide spectrum of articles and statistics. Several features, such as Club Rosters and All Star Game Records, were carried yearly for many years.
Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of...
/ Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of the major league players for that particular year.
This annual publication was available through the mail and at most major league stadiums. Its decline in popularity is said to be a result of the competition from team yearbooks.
Who's Who covers generally contain photos of the top four stars of the previous year. Each edition featured photos and sketches of sports team top twenty players. A world champion photo usually appeared on the back cover of Who's Who in Major League Baseball while the other league champions appeared on the front cover.
Paperback-book in appearance, this annual publication included a few short summary articles, black and white photographs of players and teams...
/ Paperback-book in appearance, this annual publication included a few short summary articles, black and white photographs of players and teams in the first half of the book and extensive statistics on the previous season in the second half of the book.
Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of...
/ Who's Who in Major League Baseball is a statistician's dream because it featured the major and minor league statistics of the major league players for that particular year.
This annual publication was available through the mail and at most major league stadiums. Its decline in popularity is said to be a result of the competition from team yearbooks.
Who's Who covers generally contain photos of the top four stars of the previous year. Each edition featured photos and sketches of sports team top twenty players. A world champion photo usually appeared on the back cover of Who's Who in Major League Baseball while the other league champions appeared on the front cover.
The 1942 edition was devoted entirely to major league playing records as compiled by Leonard Gettelson. ONE FOR THE BOOK,...
/ The 1942 edition was devoted entirely to major league playing records as compiled by Leonard Gettelson. ONE FOR THE BOOK, which was first published in 1949, was a continuation of the 1942 Dope Book.
There was at least one "Al Schracht Dope Book" Published by Sporting News in 1944. This edition consisted of dozens of colorful short news snippets with cartoon illustrations, followed by statistics and writeups of current Hall of Famers and past World Series'.
The Dope Book from 1948 thru 1985 was of an entirely different format. It featured a wide spectrum of articles and statistics. Several features, such as Club Rosters and All Star Game Records, were carried yearly for many years.
Paperback-book in appearance, this annual publication included a few short summary articles, black and white photographs of players and teams...
/ Paperback-book in appearance, this annual publication included a few short summary articles, black and white photographs of players and teams in the first half of the book and extensive statistics on the previous season in the second half of the book.
When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the...
/ When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the Sporting News Guide in 1943, a companion publication to the Sporting News Register, which began publication in 1940. After A.S Barnes stopped publication of their guide (successor to the long-running Spalding Baseball Guide), the Sporting News Guide became the official MLB guide.
When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the...
/ When Sporting News halted printing of the long running Sporting News Record Book in 1942, they replaced it with the Sporting News Guide in 1943, a companion publication to the Sporting News Register, which began publication in 1940. After A.S Barnes stopped publication of their guide (successor to the long-running Spalding Baseball Guide), the Sporting News Guide became the official MLB guide.
