Rollie Fingers, The First Reliever, Orioles At Athletics, May 29, 1971

Classic Baseball Radio

As Baseball evolved during the expansion era, so did the role of the pitcher. Where the norm was once for starters to go for the full nine innings, the use of relief pitchers and the emergence of the closing pitcher took over.

And there is no better example of this new role than Rollie Fingers… and his flamboyant moustache.

He set the franchise record for saves at his three major league clubs (the Athletics, the Padres, and the Brewers), was the first pitcher to reach 300 saves (retiring with 341 saves), and continues to hold the record for 'long saves' that stretched over two or more innings, with 135 recorded.

Today's classic game sees the Oakland Athletics welcome the Baltimore Orioles to the Coliseum. The A's aren't yet at full power they would need to win three World Series in a row… but they're getting there.

Your radio team are Bill O'Donnell and Chuck Thompson.

You can find the boxscore here:

https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK197104290.shtml

This game was played on May 29, 1971.

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