Al Holland – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Alfred Willis Holland made his mark as a relief pitcher during Major League Baseball’s 1980s era of dominant closers. Over a decade, this lefty bounced between five teams, always bringing a fastball that packed a punch and a fierce competitive edge. Holland hung up his glove in 1987 after his final season with the New York Yankees, closing out a career that stretched from 1977 to 1987.

Holland grew up in Roanoke, Virginia. He shifted from being a college football player to one of baseball’s most effective relief pitchers. His journey through the majors took him from Pittsburgh to San Francisco, Philadelphia, California, and finally New York.

He really hit his stride with the Philadelphia Phillies, becoming a central piece of their 1983 World Series run. That was probably the peak of his career.

Holland’s story has plenty of highs and lows. He won the Rolaids Relief Man Award, but he also faced personal challenges that pushed his resilience to the limit.

His career statistics show a closer who saved 78 games and kept a 2.98 ERA with 513 strikeouts. The path to his retirement says a lot about the ups and downs of pro baseball in that era.

Early Life and Background

Al Holland’s path from Roanoke, Virginia to Major League Baseball started with serious athletic talent across several sports. He shined at a segregated high school and broke records at a historically black university, then found his way through the pro draft.

Youth and High School Years

Alfred Willis Holland was born on August 16, 1952, in Roanoke, Virginia. He was the oldest of four sons raised by Charles Holland and Sylvia Bea Waid.

After his parents split, his mom, Sylvia, who sewed dresses for a living, married Richard June Davis. Davis worked at a state liquor store, and the family stayed in Roanoke.

Holland went to Lucy Addison High School, which served Black students during segregation. There, he played football, basketball, and baseball—and stood out in all three.

College recruiters noticed his athleticism right away. Even then, you could see the drive that would later define his pro career.

College Baseball at North Carolina A&T

In fall 1971, Holland enrolled at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina, about 100 miles from home. He played both football and baseball for the Aggies.

He led the football team in rushing his first fall, showing off his versatility. But his 1972 baseball season was something else.

That year, Holland dominated college baseball with 143 strikeouts—the highest in the country. He finished second in the nation with an incredible 0.54 ERA.

His most memorable college game came against North Carolina Central. Holland threw a no-hitter with 25 strikeouts, allowing just one ball in play—a simple infield popup.

He kept up that dominance for three more seasons. Holland never had a seasonal ERA above 1.03 and threw a no-hitter every year.

He mostly relied on his fastball, admitting later that his curveball just didn’t cut it. Off the field, Holland earned a Bachelor of Science in Recreation. He figured he’d run youth programs if baseball didn’t work out.

During college, he met Mary Reid. They got married in the summer of 1975.

Draft Experience and Signing

Holland’s college stats caught the eyes of major league scouts, and he got drafted a couple of times. The Texas Rangers picked him in the 30th round of the June 1974 draft.

The San Diego Padres chose him in the fourth round of the January 1975 draft. Holland turned down both, wanting to finish college.

“I probably would have signed if they had offered any kind of money,” Holland later admitted about those early offers.

After college, Holland went undrafted in 1975 but was open for all teams to sign. In late June 1975, he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Branch Rickey III.

During contract talks, Rickey joked about how long it might take Holland to reach the majors. Holland shot back that he’d get there way faster than Rickey thought.

“Branch Rickey III said, ‘If you make it to the major leagues before 1978, I’ll buy you a steak dinner,'” Holland remembered. That deal kicked off his pro journey, leading to his big league debut in 1977.

Professional Career Overview

Al Holland put together a 10-year Major League Baseball career as a relief pitcher from 1977 to 1987. He earned the nickname “Mr. T” during his huge 1983 season with the Phillies, thanks to his fastball and intimidating presence.

MLB Debut and Early Seasons

Holland made his Major League debut on September 5, 1977, at Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Stadium. The Pirates called him up from Triple-A Columbus during a doubleheader against the Phillies.

In his first game, Holland came in with the Pirates down 9-1 in the seventh. Garry Maddox singled off him, but Holland then retired Tim McCarver, Ted Sizemore, and Steve Carlton to finish the inning scoreless.

The Pirates traded Holland to the San Francisco Giants in 1979, along with Ed Whitson and Fred Breining. He became the only rookie to make the Giants’ 1980 opening day roster after a solid spring.

Holland established himself as a reliable reliever in 1980, posting a 5-3 record and 1.75 ERA in 54 games. He pitched over 82 innings and finished tied for seventh in NL Rookie of the Year voting.

Final Years and Retirement in 1987

The Giants dealt Holland to the Phillies in December 1982, along with Joe Morgan, for Mike Krukow, Mark Davis, and C.L. Penigar. His 1983 season with Philly was the stuff of dreams.

Even though he started the year on the disabled list with a shoulder injury, Holland came back in May and just took over. He saved 25 games, went 8-4, and posted a 2.26 ERA, striking out 100 in just over 91 innings.

Holland became the Phillies’ bullpen anchor, helping them win the NL East and reach the World Series. He pitched in nearly every tight game as the season wound down.

After Philly, Holland played for the California Angels and New York Yankees before retiring in 1987. He finished with a 34-30 record, a 2.98 ERA in 384 games, 78 saves, and 513 strikeouts over 646 innings.

Playing Style as a Pitcher

Holland was a power pitcher, leaning almost entirely on his fastball. He threw hard and fast, barely bothering with deception or off-speed stuff.

“If I’m going to run the football, I don’t trick anyone. I try to run over him. That’s the way I pitch,” Holland once said. His college coach even joked that Holland’s curveball “was garbage.”

At 5’11” and over 200 pounds, Holland didn’t look like your typical pitcher. His build reflected his days as a college football fullback at North Carolina A&T.

Teammate Ed Farmer gave him the nickname “Mr. T” because of his scowl and tough attitude. It stuck, and honestly, it fit.

Major League Teams and Tenure

Al Holland suited up for five different MLB teams from 1977 to 1987. He found his best form with the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies, where he built his reputation as a top National League reliever.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Holland started out with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1977. He debuted on September 5 at age 25.

His first run with the Pirates didn’t last long. He pitched just a handful of games as a rookie.

The Pirates traded Holland, Ed Whitson, and Fred Breining to the Giants on June 28, 1979. In return, Pittsburgh got Bill Madlock, Lenny Randle, and Dave Roberts.

Holland eventually returned to the Pirates in 1985. The Phillies traded him and minor leaguer Frankie Griffin to Pittsburgh on April 20, 1985, for Kent Tekulve.

That second stint was brief, too. The Pirates traded him again on August 2, 1985, in a bigger deal with the California Angels.

San Francisco Giants

Holland’s career really took off with the Giants from 1979 to 1982. He became a steady presence in their bullpen.

In San Francisco, Holland grew into a consistent reliever. He finished seventh in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 1980.

The Giants gave Holland plenty of chances to pitch. He appeared in a lot of games and built a name as a reliable lefty.

His strong showing in San Francisco caught the Phillies’ attention. They traded for Holland and Joe Morgan on December 14, 1982.

The Giants got Mike Krukow, Mark Davis, and minor leaguer C.L. Penigar in return. That trade turned out to be a big step for Holland’s career.

Philadelphia Phillies

With the Phillies from 1983 to 1985, Holland hit the high point of his career. The 1983 season was his best.

In 1983, Holland won the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award and the TSN Fireman of the Year Award. He even finished in the top ten for both the Cy Young and NL MVP voting.

He played a huge role in the Phillies’ 1983 playoff run. Holland saved Game 1 of the NLCS and struck out three in two innings to help clinch the pennant in Game 4.

In the 1983 World Series, Holland saved Game 1 against the Orioles. In Game 3, he was pitching in the seventh when an error let in the go-ahead run, but he still struck out four in the last two innings.

Holland made his only All-Star team in 1984 with the Phillies, though he didn’t get into the game.

The Phillies traded him back to Pittsburgh in April 1985. That move pretty much signaled the final stretch of his MLB days.

Other Teams and Late Career Moves

Holland’s last years in baseball saw him bounce between teams and deal with personal struggles that eventually ended his major league run.

California Angels and New York Yankees

Holland joined the California Angels in August 1985 as part of a three-team trade. The Pirates sent Holland, John Candelaria, and George Hendrick to the Angels for Pat Clements and Mike Brown.

His stint with the Angels was short and, honestly, pretty rough. Holland got caught up in the Pittsburgh drug trials, where he admitted to cocaine use. That admission brought serious consequences.

The New York Yankees picked up Holland as a free agent after his drug suspension. His time in New York was chaotic, to put it mildly.

The Yankees released him, re-signed him, and released him again—all in 1986. Clearly, the team didn’t know what to expect from him.

In 1987, the Yankees took one last chance on Holland. It didn’t work out—he posted a 14.21 ERA in just three games. The Yankees released him after the season, and that was it for Holland’s major league career.

Brief Associations: Texas Rangers and San Diego Padres

According to available records, Holland didn’t have any major league stints with the Texas Rangers or San Diego Padres. He spent his final MLB years only with the Angels and Yankees.

After his big league career wrapped up, Holland kept playing in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in Florida. He suited up for the St. Petersburg Pelicans and St. Lucie Legends from 1989 until the league folded in December 1990.

Later on, Holland worked as a minor league pitching coach. He even coached with the Johnson City Cardinals in the Appalachian League as recently as 2006.

Performance Highlights and Playing Achievements

Al Holland put up some pretty impressive stats over his decade in the majors. He finished with a 2.98 ERA and 513 strikeouts across 384 games.

His 1983 season with Philadelphia really stands out—he picked up major awards and got recognized as one of the top relief pitchers in baseball.

Strikeouts and ERA Leadership

Throughout his career, Holland showed off great control and effectiveness. He notched 513 strikeouts over his 10 years in MLB, while keeping a career 2.98 ERA.

His best year, stats-wise, was 1983 with the Phillies. That season, Holland’s dominance made him one of the National League’s top relief arms.

He threw left-handed and batted right-handed, which made life tough for a lot of hitters. That combo isn’t super common, and it definitely gave him an edge.

Holland moved around a fair bit, playing for six different organizations. He showed his adaptability and value as a reliable reliever wherever he went.

All-Star and Awards

In 1983, Holland got a lot of recognition for his work with the Phillies. He won the NL Rolaids Relief Man Award that year, which meant he was the best relief pitcher in the league.

That same season, he also picked up the TSN Fireman of the Year Award. Those honors really showed how dominant he was in late-game situations during Philadelphia’s 1983 run.

Holland made his only All-Star Game appearance in 1984, although he didn’t get to pitch in the game. Still, just being selected was a big deal for him.

He finished in the top ten for both the Cy Young Award and National League MVP voting in 1983. That’s a rare thing for a reliever, and it says a lot about the kind of impact he had that year.

Postseason Contributions

Holland played a key role during Philadelphia’s 1983 postseason. He saved Game 1 of the National League Championship Series, helping the Phillies move on to the World Series.

In Game 4 of the NLCS, Holland struck out three batters in two innings to clinch the pennant for Philly. That was a big moment and showed he could handle the pressure.

During the 1983 World Series against Baltimore, Holland saved Game 1. But things didn’t end well—his postseason wrapped up in Game 3 when an error let the go-ahead run score.

He struck out four batters in the eighth and ninth innings of Game 3, but the Phillies still lost. After that, Philly dropped Games 4 and 5, so Baltimore took the championship and Holland’s postseason came to a close.

Personal Life, Nickname and Legacy

Al Holland’s life after baseball was just as colorful. He became known for his “Mr. T” persona and kept giving back to the game by coaching and mentoring young players.

His achievements got him into multiple halls of fame, which really cements his impact on baseball.

Mr. T Nickname Origin

Holland’s “Mr. T” nickname started with his Phillies teammate Ed Farmer in 1983. Farmer spotted Holland walking through the tunnel wearing two gold chains his wife had bought for their kids.

“Ed Farmer!” Holland remembered. “I had these two gold chains that my wife bought for me, for my kids. One day I was walking up the tunnel from the dugout to the clubhouse, and Ed Farmer was standing there and saw me and said ‘Here comes Mr. T.'”

The timing couldn’t have been better, since NBC’s “The A-Team” series had just started airing in January 1983. Mr. T, as B.A. Baracus, was famous for his tough attitude and flashy jewelry.

At first, Holland didn’t love the comparison. “I didn’t like it at first,” he admitted. But eventually, he leaned into it and made it part of his identity as a closer.

The nickname really fit his presence on the mound. “I haven’t seen Mr. T on television much, but I know he don’t take no stuff off nobody, and I don’t either,” Holland said during the 1983 playoffs.

Coaching Career After MLB

After his MLB days ended in 1987, Holland played a bit in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in Florida. He joined both the St. Petersburg Pelicans and St. Lucie Legends before the league shut down in December 1990.

Holland’s education actually helped him out after baseball. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Recreation from North Carolina A&T State University.

Originally, he thought he might run youth recreation programs if baseball didn’t pan out. That background made it easier for him to move into coaching and mentoring roles.

He stayed close to the game through different coaching jobs and youth programs. Holland’s approach to coaching matched his playing style.

“I’ve always said that when I die, I want to have engraved on my tombstone the words: ‘Give me the ball,'” Holland said. That sums up his competitive spirit and his willingness to take on any challenge.

Hall of Fame Recognition and Impact

Holland racked up multiple hall of fame inductions thanks to his baseball achievements.

In 1994, North Carolina A&T University added him to their Hall of Fame. They wanted to recognize just how outstanding his college career was.

Honestly, his college dominance was the stuff of legend. Back in 1972, Holland led the nation with 143 strikeouts, and he finished second nationally with a 0.54 ERA.

He threw a no-hitter every season. One time, he struck out 25 batters in a single game—can you imagine?

In 2015, Holland got his biggest honor yet. The College Baseball Hall of Fame inducted him, shining a light on his status as one of the all-time great college pitchers.

North Carolina A&T retired Holland’s No. 17 in 2020. That move really cemented his legacy at his alma mater.

He became the first player from the university to appear in a major league game.

During his professional career, Holland put up a 34-30 record and a 2.98 ERA across 384 games.

He finished with 78 saves and 513 strikeouts in 646 innings pitched.

But honestly, his legacy isn’t just about the numbers. It stretches into his impact on the game and his commitment to mentoring young players after his playing days ended.