Jim Roland – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Jim Roland’s baseball career stands out as one of those “what if” stories in Major League Baseball. This lefty from North Carolina exploded onto the scene in 1963, tossing a three-hit shutout in his very first major league start. That debut gave the Minnesota Twins enough confidence to hand him a then-record $50,000 signing bonus. But, honestly, injuries and wildness haunted the hard-throwing southpaw through his decade in the majors from 1962 to 1972.

Roland suited up for four teams over his ten years: the Minnesota Twins, Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, and Texas Rangers. He wrapped up with a 19-17 record in 217 games. Even though he never quite hit the heights everyone expected after that electric debut, Roland’s journey gives a fascinating look into the challenges faced by young pitchers in the 1960s and early ‘70s.

From his days as a highly touted prospect to his later years as a steady bullpen arm, Roland’s story is packed with highs, lows, some personal growth, and the never-ending fight to stay effective at the top level.

Early Life and Background

Jim Roland was born on December 14, 1942, in Franklin, North Carolina—a little town tucked in the Smoky Mountains. His family moved to Raleigh when he was in fourth grade. That’s where his baseball skills started turning heads among scouts during high school.

Childhood in Franklin, North Carolina

James Ivan Roland Jr. came into the world as the son of James Ivan Roland Sr., a pipefitter, and Florence Virginia (Henson) Roland. The family spent Jim’s early years in Franklin out in western North Carolina.

When Jim hit fourth grade in the early 1950s, the Rolands packed up and moved over 300 miles east to Raleigh. His dad made the move for better job prospects.

Jim Sr. found work as a guard and maintenance man at a local prison in Raleigh. The family settled in, and young Jim got his first taste of organized baseball.

Like a lot of kids back then, Jim started out in Little League. Those early games really set the stage for his future in baseball.

High School Baseball Achievements

By his junior year at Broughton High in Raleigh, Jim stood 6’3” but weighed just 160 pounds. Still, he threw a mean fastball that caught the attention of pro scouts.

Scout Al Evans noticed Roland’s arm and told the Minnesota Twins about him. His height, lefty delivery, and blazing fastball made him a hot commodity.

Roland’s high school stats drew plenty of interest from big league teams. After he graduated in 1961, Minnesota Twins executive vice president Joe Haynes signed him as an amateur free agent.

The Twins gave him a $50,000 bonus—a huge sum back then. It was the biggest bonus the Twins/Senators had ever handed a pitcher at the time.

Professional Baseball Career

Jim Roland played in the majors for ten seasons, from 1962 to 1972, showing off his left-handed stuff for four teams. He got his start with that big $50,000 bonus from the Twins and made headlines with a three-hit shutout in his first big league start.

MLB Debut with the Minnesota Twins

Roland’s MLB debut happened on September 20, 1962, when he was just 19. The Twins brought him in to relieve Jim Kaat against the Detroit Tigers.

In those first two innings, Roland didn’t allow a run. He gave up just one hit, struck out a batter, and didn’t walk anyone.

Minnesota had signed him in 1961 for that $50,000 bonus, the biggest they’d ever given a pitcher. Roland’s call-up came after a strong minor league season with the Wilson Tobs in the Carolina League.

He put up solid numbers there and quickly became one of the Twins’ top prospects.

Notable Seasons and Performance Highlights

Roland’s most unforgettable early outing came on April 21, 1963. He threw a three-hit shutout against the White Sox at Comiskey Park, needing 144 pitches. He walked nine and struck out seven, which kind of summed up his career—big stuff, but control issues.

His best year was 1969 with the Oakland Athletics. That season, he posted a 2.82 ERA in 60⅔ innings over 36 relief appearances, showing off better command of his fastball and slider.

On May 19, 1964, Roland threw a career-high 12 innings against the Yankees, holding them to seven hits and two runs, and striking out eight.

He also pitched the final game against the Seattle Pilots in their only season in 1969. That was the team’s 162nd game and a quirky bit of baseball history.

Teams Played For

Roland played for four MLB teams from 1962 to 1972. He spent the most time with the Minnesota Twins, starting as a promising young arm before moving to the bullpen.

Teams and Years:

• Minnesota Twins (1962-1968): Six seasons
• Oakland Athletics (1969-1971): Three seasons
• New York Yankees (1972): Partial season
• Texas Rangers (1972): Final season

The A’s picked up Roland on February 24, 1969, hoping the 26-year-old lefty would blossom. Oakland was building a powerhouse pitching staff that would soon grab three straight World Series.

His stints with the Yankees and Rangers were short. Both teams mostly used him in long relief or mop-up duty during his last season.

Retirement in 1972

Roland’s baseball career wrapped up after the 1972 season, when he was just 29. His last big league outing came on September 16, 1972.

He finished with 19 wins, 17 losses, and 217 games pitched. Most of his later career came out of the bullpen.

After baseball, Roland moved back to North Carolina and worked as a business rep for a sporting goods company. He stayed active in his church and community in Shelby, North Carolina.

Injuries and wildness kept Roland from reaching his full potential. Even with the big signing bonus and early flashes of brilliance, he never became the ace the Twins hoped for.

Jim Roland’s Playing Style and Skills

Jim Roland’s game was all about his “blazing fastball” and a sharp slider, but he struggled to throw strikes consistently. As a left-handed pitcher, he had value in certain matchups, and his defense on the mound helped his teams out more than you might think.

Pitching Techniques and Strengths

Roland’s main weapon was his fastball, which scouts loved when he was with the Twins. He also mixed in a curve and changeup early on.

In 1964, he added a slider, which quickly became a key pitch for him. That slider really shined during his 12-inning gem against the Yankees.

Pitching coach Gordon Maltzberger once said, “I’ve never seen a pitcher pick up [the slider] any faster,” which is pretty high praise.

But Roland’s control issues stuck with him. In 1964, he averaged 6.0 walks per nine innings, and in the minors, it was about 4.9.

His best year came in 1969 with Oakland. He put up a 2.82 ERA in 60⅔ innings and said, “This is the best year I’ve got control of both my slider and fastball every time I go out there.”

Role as a Left-Handed Pitcher

Roland’s lefty delivery made him tough on left-handed hitters. Teams usually used him in long relief or mop-up roles, not as a regular starter.

The A’s slotted him behind relievers like Rollie Fingers and Paul Lindblad. When the team fell out of the race, Roland got a few starts.

His first major league start on April 21, 1963, was a beauty—a three-hit shutout with seven strikeouts, even though he walked nine.

Roland finished with a 19-17 record and a 3.22 ERA over ten years. His ability to get lefties out kept him around, even with the walks.

Defensive Contributions

Roland’s defense helped him out of jams. At 6’3” and 175 pounds, he covered a lot of ground on the mound.

He often used his fielding to get out of trouble, which mattered, since he walked quite a few batters.

You could see his defensive awareness during his complete games. Throwing 144 pitches in that shutout showed not just stamina, but real grit.

His knack for holding runners and fielding his position kept him competitive, even when his control faded. That probably helped him stick in the majors with four different teams.

Major Career Statistics

Jim Roland finished with a 19-17 record and a 3.22 ERA over ten seasons, striking out 272 batters in 450.1 innings. His best stats came with the Oakland Athletics, where he put up a 2.59 ERA.

Win-Loss Record and ERA

Roland’s career numbers: 19 wins, 17 losses, and a .528 winning percentage. His 3.22 ERA was better than league average for his era.

He shined with the Oakland Athletics from 1969-1972, going 9-7 with a 2.59 ERA in 100 games. His best single season was 1969, when he finished 5-1 with a 2.19 ERA.

During his time with the Minnesota Twins, Roland posted a 10-9 record over six seasons and a 3.42 ERA. In 1963, he went 4-1 with a 2.57 ERA in 10 games.

His last season in 1972 wasn’t so kind—0-1 with a 5.28 ERA while bouncing between three teams.

Strikeouts and Innings Pitched

Roland struck out 272 batters in 450.1 innings. That’s 5.4 strikeouts per nine innings, which was decent for pitchers back then.

His biggest workload came in 1964 with Minnesota: 94.1 innings in 30 games, including 13 starts.

His strikeout-to-walk ratio was 1.19. He walked 229 batters and struck out 272.

Roland pitched in 216 games over his career. He made 29 starts, recorded 9 saves, finished 6 games, and threw 1 shutout.

Legacy and Recognition

Jim Roland’s ten-year run in the majors left a quiet but meaningful mark on four teams. He made his biggest impact as a steady long reliever, especially with the Oakland Athletics as they built toward their championship years in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s.

Impact on Teams and Teammates

Roland brought his teams real value as a dependable bullpen arm, always willing to eat innings when games got rough. With the Minnesota Twins, he took on just about any role—starting or relieving—whenever the team needed him. That 12-inning game against the Yankees in 1964? It still stands as one of the longest outings in Twins history.

The Oakland Athletics got a lot out of Roland too. From 1969 to 1972, he gave their pitching staff much-needed depth. The team went on to win three straight World Series, and Roland’s 2.82 ERA in 1969 helped steady the bullpen while the A’s transformed into a real contender.

Roland’s teammates genuinely liked him for his attitude and work ethic. Even when injuries and control problems got in his way, he kept what The Sporting News once called an “infectious enthusiasm.” In his breakout 1963 season with Minnesota, he picked up the title of “Most Personable Newcomer.”

Memorable Games and Achievements

Roland definitely had some games that showed off his potential. He made his major league debut with a three-hit shutout against the Chicago White Sox on April 21, 1963, at Comiskey Park. Seven strikeouts and 144 pitches later, he’d made it clear why he got that $50,000 signing bonus.

On May 19, 1964, he really turned heads by pitching 12 innings against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. He held the eventual pennant winners to just seven hits and two runs, striking out eight. That performance still ranks among the longest by any Twins pitcher.

Key Career Highlights:

• Three-hit shutout in first major league start (1963)
• 12-inning performance vs. Yankees (1964)
• 2.82 ERA with Oakland Athletics (1969)
• Final game against Seattle Pilots (1969)

Post-Retirement Reflections

After he retired in 1972, Roland moved into sporting goods sales, finding a way to stay close to the game he loved. His career stats—19-24 record and a 3.55 ERA over 456 innings—might look modest on paper, but they tell a story of perseverance through tough challenges like arm injuries and control issues.

Roland’s faith became a big part of his life after baseball. He experienced a religious conversion during the 1967-1968 Venezuelan winter league season, which gave him perspective on his struggles. “Since I’ve become more serious about Christianity, I’ve eased my mind,” Roland told reporter Arno Goethel.

He never quite became the star some expected, but maybe that’s okay. Even with one of the largest signing bonuses in Twins history, Roland’s career ended up being about character and determination more than numbers. He passed away on March 6, 2010, in Shelby, North Carolina, leaving behind memories of a pitcher who always gave his best.

Personal Life and Net Worth

Jim Roland mostly kept his personal life out of the spotlight, both during and after his baseball career. There’s not much public info about his family relationships. His estimated net worth of $4 million reflects his decade-long MLB career and what he did after baseball.

Family and Personal Relationships

There’s little out there about Roland’s family life or personal relationships. Born James Ivan Roland Jr. in Franklin, North Carolina, he grew up with a family that supported his baseball aspirations from the start.

Roland went to Needham B. Broughton High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he honed his pitching skills. His family’s support meant a lot during those teenage years when he chased his dream of playing pro ball.

He signed as an amateur free agent with the Minnesota Twins straight out of high school. That decision shaped his whole adult life.

Not much is known about Roland’s marriage, children, or extended family. He chose to keep those details private throughout his playing days and retirement.

Net Worth Estimates

Jim Roland’s estimated net worth reached about $4 million during his lifetime. He earned most of that from his ten seasons in the majors, from 1962 to 1972.

His income came from a few places:

• Salary: Baseball contracts with four teams
• Benefits: MLB pension and healthcare
• Investments: Post-career financial planning

Baseball salaries in the 1960s and early ’70s weren’t anywhere near today’s numbers. Most players made pretty modest incomes compared to the multi-million dollar contracts you see now.

Roland’s financial stability also came from smart money management after he retired. His longest stretch with the Minnesota Twins (1962-1968) gave him steady income during his best years.

Life After Baseball

Jim Roland hung up his cleats in 1972 and headed back to North Carolina. He settled into a quieter life in Shelby, where he spent almost forty years after his playing days ended.

He kept baseball in his life by getting involved with the local community. Sometimes, he’d show up at alumni events or catch up with old teammates and coaches.

Not much is out there about what kind of work he did after baseball. Odds are, he probably took on business ventures or found other jobs—back then, players didn’t make the kind of money they do now, so a second career was pretty common.

Later on, Roland dealt with some tough health issues and fought cancer. He passed away on March 6, 2010, at age 67, still living in Shelby, the place he’d called home for so long.

They laid him to rest at Oakland Cemetery in Gaffney, South Carolina. His passing closed the chapter on a retirement lived mostly out of the public eye.