WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 28: A view of the New York Yankees logo on a baseball hat during the game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 28, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
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While one of the most accomplished closers of all time only spent a brief stint of his career in New York, fans will take the opportunity to remember his career following some news shared by his former team.
“The Phillies are saddened to learn of the passing of Al Holland, who spent parts of three seasons with the club from 1983-85,” the National League club posted on X on Monday. “As a dominant closer, Al was an integral part of the team’s winning the National League pennant in 1983 and was an All-Star in 1984… We extend our heartfelt condolences to Al’s family, friends, and former teammates at this difficult time.”
New York Yankees 2-Year Pitcher Al Holland Dies After Star-Studded Career
Holland’s biggest impact came in Philadelphia, where he helped lead the Phillies to a National League pennant and earned All-Star honors as one of baseball’s premier closers.
But his career also included memorable stops with both the Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants and the California Angels before it ended with the New York Yankees in 1987.
All told, in 10 big-league seasons, Holland racked up 78 saves and 513 strikeouts across 646 total innings. His standout 1984 campaign earned him the only All-Star selection of his career after helping anchor one of the league’s strongest bullpens, though he did receive Cy Young and MVP Award votes for his 1983 campaign as well.
New York Yankees’ Former Owner Targeted Late Pitcher Al Holland Late In Career
Following a 1985 season that included stops with the Phillies, Pirates and Angels, Holland eventually landed with the Yankees in one of the more surprising chapters of his career.
“Against the advice of his baseball executives, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner pursued Holland and signed him to a non-guaranteed, one-year free agent contract in early February 1986,” Andy Sturgill recalled for the Society For American Baseball Research. “He made his Yankees debut on May 15, then struggled with injury and ineffectiveness, posting a 5.09 ERA in 25 appearances before getting released in early August. He re-signed with the Yankees for the 1987 season in April, then spent most of the season back at Columbus. He returned to the big club in early August and made his third appearance of the season in Detroit on August 9.”
Holland’s injuries suffered at the end of his career followed him for the rest of his life, as he was unable to fully straighten his pitching arm well after he retired from the sport. And although his Yankees tenure was brief, Holland remained involved in baseball after his playing days concluded.
“Holland pitched in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989 and later served as a Minor League pitching coach,” per MLB.com’s Craig Muder. “In 10 big league seasons, he totaled 78 saves to go with a 34-30 record and 2.98 ERA over 384 games.”
Remembered most for his dominant work in Philadelphia, Holland leaves behind a career highlighted by an All-Star appearance, a National League pennant and nearly a decade of effective relief pitching at the highest level. But plenty of Yankees fans will take the occasion to remember his stint with their favorite team.