Bob Roselli – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Bob Roselli played seven seasons in Major League Baseball as a catcher. He wrapped up his career on September 29, 1962, facing the New York Yankees.

The San Francisco native worked as a reliable backup catcher for two franchises. From 1955 to 1962, he split time between the Milwaukee Braves and Chicago White Sox.

Roselli’s baseball journey hit a pause because of military service in Korea. He missed the entire 1954 season and most of 1955 before returning as a dependable reserve player.

His career stats show a .219 batting average, 2 home runs, and 10 RBIs over 68 games. Still, his value went way beyond the numbers—he was a skilled defensive catcher who really understood the game.

Bob Roselli’s story gives a glimpse into baseball in the 1950s and 1960s. He saw racial segregation on road trips and caught against legends like Bob Gibson and Whitey Ford.

His experiences open a window into life for journeyman players during baseball’s golden age. The fan culture in Milwaukee and the intimidating vibe of Yankee Stadium were all part of it.

Early Life and Background

Robert Edward Roselli was born December 10, 1931, in San Francisco, California. Military service during the Korean War delayed his professional baseball debut until 1955.

Family and Childhood in San Francisco

Roselli grew up in San Francisco during the 1930s and 1940s. He spent his early years in California’s baseball-rich environment.

San Francisco introduced him to competitive baseball culture. The city’s mild weather meant he could play outside year-round.

Details about his immediate family are a bit scarce. But his upbringing in San Francisco shaped how he saw racial equality, something that influenced his later views.

Growing up on the West Coast gave Roselli a different perspective than many teammates. This background mattered when he ran into segregation during his pro career in other parts of the country.

Education and High School Baseball

Not much is known about Roselli’s formal education or high school baseball career. Records from his youth in San Francisco don’t offer much on his academics or early baseball days.

His high school baseball experience probably helped him develop his catching fundamentals. San Francisco’s prep baseball scene in the 1940s could toughen up any future pro.

Since there aren’t detailed high school stats, Roselli probably wasn’t a big-name recruit. He seems to have found his way into pro baseball through local connections and tryouts, not major college programs.

Military Service and Korean War

The Korean War affected Roselli’s baseball career in a big way. He missed all of 1954 and most of 1955 while serving.

Like many athletes of his generation, Roselli spent time in Korea. The war interrupted a lot of promising sports careers between 1950 and 1953.

Once he got discharged, Roselli came back to chase his baseball dream. He started his Major League career at 23, in August 1955.

Military life probably gave him maturity and discipline as a pro athlete. Many veterans from that era said their service gave them life skills that helped in sports.

Major League Baseball Career

Bob Roselli played seven seasons in Major League Baseball from 1955 to 1962. He worked as a backup catcher for two teams.

He finished with a .219 batting average, 2 home runs, and 10 RBI over 68 games.

Debut with Milwaukee Braves

Roselli made his Major League debut on August 16, 1955, with the Milwaukee Braves. He was 23 years old.

He entered the game against the St. Louis Cardinals and had one at-bat, but didn’t get a hit.

Military service in Korea had set his career back a bit. He missed all of 1954 and most of 1955 overseas.

Roselli played three partial seasons with Milwaukee: 1955, 1956, and again in 1958. He backed up Del Crandall, the team’s main catcher.

He stood 5 feet 11 inches and weighed 185 pounds. The tough competition for catcher spots limited his playing time.

Role as a Catcher

Roselli stuck to his role as a backup catcher for his MLB career. He played just 68 games over five seasons, which works out to less than 14 games per year.

His offense was modest. Roselli got 25 hits in 114 at-bats, giving him a .219 average.

Career Statistics:

• Games: 68
• Hits: 25
• Doubles: 7
• Triples: 1
• Home runs: 2
• RBI: 10
• Stolen bases: 1

He had his best offensive season in 1961 with Chicago. In 22 games, Roselli hit .263, which was his career-high batting average.

Transition to Chicago White Sox

Roselli joined the Chicago White Sox in 1961 after three seasons with Milwaukee. He backed up Sherm Lollar, the team’s veteran catcher.

Chicago gave Roselli more chances to play than Milwaukee had. He appeared in 22 games in 1961, making it his busiest year.

His last MLB game was on September 29, 1962, against the New York Yankees. He had one at-bat and didn’t record a hit.

After 1962, Roselli’s major league days were over. He played one last season with the Triple-A Hawaii Islanders in 1963 before retiring from pro baseball.

Notable Games and Achievements

Bob Roselli’s MLB career lasted from 1955 to 1962. He had moments that showed off his defensive skills and clutch hitting.

He mainly contributed as a reliable backup catcher who stepped up when needed.

Career-High Performances

Roselli’s best moments happened with both the Milwaukee Braves and Chicago White Sox. His debut on August 16, 1955, against the St. Louis Cardinals kicked off his seven-year MLB run.

He often backed up Del Crandall with the Braves, where his defense really stood out. The late 1950s were good years for the team, and Roselli helped out behind the plate.

He wrapped up his career with a .219 batting average, 2 home runs, and 10 RBIs in 68 games. The numbers aren’t flashy, but his defense and knack for handling pitchers made him a valuable teammate.

His last game came on September 29, 1962, for the White Sox against the Yankees.

Memorable Stolen Base Against Baltimore Orioles

One of Roselli’s most memorable moments on the bases came in a game against the Baltimore Orioles. That stolen base showed he could be aggressive, even though he was mainly known for defense.

He pulled off the steal while with the White Sox, between 1961 and 1962. His speed caught everyone off guard—catchers just didn’t steal much in those days.

That steal came at a key point in the game, setting up a scoring chance. It showed Roselli understood the game and wasn’t afraid to take a chance.

Key Contributions to Team Success

Roselli’s main value came from working with pitching staffs and managing games. He could call a game and handle veteran pitchers, making him an asset for both the Braves and White Sox.

With Milwaukee, he helped the team stay competitive in the late 1950s. His steady defense let Del Crandall rest without the team missing a beat.

In Chicago, Roselli backed up Sherm Lollar. His experience and knowledge of opposing hitters really mattered in tough spots.

His service in Korea from 1954-1955 showed his character outside baseball. When he came back, he fit right back into pro baseball, showing the mental toughness that defined his career.

Final Season and Retirement in 1962

Bob Roselli played his last season with the Chicago White Sox in 1962. He appeared in 35 games as a catcher.

After seven years in pro baseball, he decided to retire from Major League Baseball at 30, following the end of the 1962 season.

Highlights of the 1962 Season

The 1962 season was Roselli’s most active in the majors. He played in 35 games for the White Sox, his highest total.

He batted .188 that year, picking up 12 hits in 64 at-bats. He also collected one home run and five RBIs, mostly as a backup.

His most memorable moment came on July 4, 1962, against the Baltimore Orioles. Roselli swiped his only career stolen base, with Milt Pappas pitching and Hobie Landrith catching for Baltimore.

He had 76 plate appearances that season. Roselli drew 11 walks and struck out 15 times, ending up with a .316 on-base percentage.

His final game was on September 29, 1962, against the Yankees. He went 0-for-1 in his last at-bat, finishing his career with a .219 average.

Decision to Retire from MLB

At 30, Roselli decided to step away from pro baseball after the 1962 season. He’d spent most of his career in the minors and had limited big-league chances.

Roselli had served in the Korean War, missing 1954 and most of 1955. That break probably affected his development and shot at a bigger MLB role.

His career stats show 68 games played with the Braves and White Sox. He finished with 25 hits, two homers, and 10 RBIs.

He started out in the minors in 1950. Roselli kept playing minor league ball through 1963, a year after leaving the majors.

Post-Baseball Career and Later Life

After leaving pro baseball in 1962, Bob Roselli went into sales. He stayed connected to the sport through youth coaching.

He spent a lot of time helping young players in his community. Teaching and mentoring let him keep his love for baseball alive.

Scouting for Major League Teams

Not much information is out there about Roselli’s scouting work after his playing days. After his final season with the White Sox in 1962, he played one more year with the Triple-A Hawaiian Islanders in 1963.

A lot of former players from his era moved into scouting for MLB teams. But there aren’t many details about any formal scouting jobs Roselli might have held.

Work Beyond Baseball

Roselli worked as a salesman after leaving baseball. This was a common move for former players who needed steady pay after their sports careers.

The shift from pro sports to civilian jobs was normal in the 1950s and 1960s. Unlike today, most players from Roselli’s time didn’t make enough to retire just from baseball.

His sales job brought financial stability and let him stay in California. The discipline and communication skills he picked up as a pro athlete probably helped him succeed in his new field.

Community Involvement and Coaching

Roselli stayed active in baseball by coaching youth teams in his local community. He volunteered his time, sharing his professional experience with young players and keeping close to the game he loved.

He focused his coaching activities on building fundamental skills in aspiring players. With eight years of professional experience, including stints with the Milwaukee Braves and Chicago White Sox, Roselli offered practical instruction to the kids.

The former catcher’s involvement in youth baseball really showed his commitment to giving back. He helped shape the next generation of players and kept his own connection to baseball alive after his playing days.

Legacy and Impact on Baseball

Bob Roselli made his mark on baseball through his dedication to two storied franchises. He served as a reliable backup catcher during a pretty transformative time in the sport.

He experienced racial integration firsthand and contributed to team chemistry, shaping the culture of both the Milwaukee Braves and Chicago White Sox in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Recognition by Teams and Fans

The Milwaukee Braves organization genuinely appreciated Roselli and his teammates during the franchise’s early days in Wisconsin. Every player got a brand new DeSoto automobile and unlimited gasoline as part of their welcome.

Milwaukee, a city that truly loved its beer, kept players’ refrigerators stocked all season. The community really went out of its way to make the team feel at home.

Even though he played as a backup, Roselli felt remarkable support from fans. Milwaukee residents would approach him on the street, treating him with warmth and familiarity.

“They stopped me on the street and treated me like an old cousin they hadn’t seen in 20 years,” Roselli once said about his time with the Braves.

That kind of fan reception just showed how excited Milwaukee was to have Major League Baseball. The city’s enthusiasm created an atmosphere where even reserve players like Roselli felt valued.

Lasting Influence as a Catcher

Roselli’s career lined up with what many call baseball’s golden age of pitching, and he picked up some unique insights along the way. He caught against legends like Bob Gibson, Whitey Ford, Jim Bunning, and Early Wynn.

He noticed Gibson’s dominance early on, even pointing out that Gibson called his own pitches instead of relying on the catcher’s signals. That’s pretty wild, isn’t it?

During his seven-year career, Roselli saw a lot of changes in baseball’s culture. He played in an era when pitchers didn’t hesitate to throw at batters.

He remembered pitchers like Barry Latman, who’d hit multiple batters in a row when frustrated. That kind of thing really stuck with him.

Roselli also talked about the intimidating vibe at Yankee Stadium. He described how the Yankees’ businesslike approach and the stadium’s aura could affect visiting teams before the first pitch was even thrown.

Contribution to Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Braves History

Roselli worked as a backup catcher for two Hall of Fame players during his career. With the Milwaukee Braves, he backed up Del Crandall from 1955-1956 and again in 1958.

Later, he joined the Chicago White Sox and helped out Sherm Lollar during the 1961-1962 seasons. He didn’t just put up numbers—his .219 batting average, 2 home runs, and 10 RBIs across 68 games only tell part of the story.

Roselli brought depth and a steady, veteran presence to both teams when they needed it most. He also noticed and spoke about the realities of racial integration in baseball.

Growing up in California, he saw Black teammates like Hank Aaron, Bill Bruton, and Wes Covington deal with discrimination in certain road cities. His stories captured the tough social climate that players faced during the sport’s integration era.