Rollie Hemsley

Ralston Burdett Hemsley (June 24, 1907 – July 31, 1972) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for 19 seasons from to . Born in Syracuse, Ohio, he was nicknamed "Rollicking Rollie". Hemsley batted and threw right-handed.

Major league career Hemsley began his major league career in 1928 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, playing 50 games. After spending his first two seasons backing up Charlie Hargreaves, he became the starting catcher for the Pirates for the 1930 season. The following season, Hemsley played 10 games before he was traded to the Chicago Cubs for Earl Grace. Hemsley became the starter in 1939 after Pytlak went down with an injury, and played well enough to earn his third All-Star bid. On opening day of the 1940 season, Hemsley caught Feller's no-hitter, becoming the only catcher to catch an opening day no-hit game. His consistency in the 1940 season saw him lead the American League catchers with a .994 fielding percentage, and led to a couple MVP votes as well as his fourth All-Star appearance.

After playing another season in Cleveland, Hemsley was purchased by the Cincinnati Reds for a second stint on December 4, 1941. Hemsley hit safely in his first six games as a Yankee, He did not play during the 1945 season but he was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies on March 25, 1946. Hemsley would later attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings to help himself sober up. Hemsley's anonymity break was one of the first developments to raise questions and concern about personal anonymity in the organization.

Post-playing career After retiring, Hemsley operated a real estate office in Langley Park, Maryland, was a coach for the Philadelphia Athletics (1954) and Washington Senators (1961–62) and managed in the minor leagues. He was selected Minor League Manager of the Year by The Sporting News in while serving as pilot of the Columbus Red Birds. He died of a heart attack at age 65 on July 31, 1972, in Washington, D.C.