Alfred “Al” Willis Holland, 73 of Flint Hill, SC, formerly of Roanoke passed away on Saturday, July 4 surrounded by loved ones.
Al was born in Roanoke Aug. 16, 1952 and was a proud graduate of Lucy Addison High School where he starred in football, basketball and baseball. He went on to become a promising baseball player as a North Carolina A&T Aggie (1972-1975) and developed skills that forged his path to become a celebrated Major League Baseball All-Star and MVP candidate during his 10-year career.
He was induction into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015 and was a member of the North Carolina A&T Sports (‘94) and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Halls of Fame (‘93).
Holland’s jersey (#17) was retired during a grand ceremony attended by him and his family at N.C. A&T’s Annual First Pitch Baseball Banquet held Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020.
Holland was a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who mostly pitched in the leagues from 1980 to 1986, as well as for several leagues in 1977, 1979 and 1987.
Holland finished seventh in the National League Rookie of the Year voting for 1980 but his best season was with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1983 when he won the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award and TSN Fireman of the Year Award while finishing in the top ten in voting for both the Cy Young Award and National League MVP.
He then saved Game 1 of the 1983 National League Championship Series, and struck out three batters in two innings to finish Game 4, clinching the pennant for the Phillies. He also saved Game 1 of the 1983 World Series. In 1984, Holland again broke the Phillies single-season saves record with 29 and made the NL All-Star team.
Following the 1982 season, Holland was dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies. He became the team’s closer and recorded a club-record 25 saves while striking out 100 batters. His team reached the World Series that October, falling to the Baltimore Orioles, and he saved a pair of postseason games.
Holland ended his big league career in 1987 after stints with the California Angels and New York Yankees.
In 1989, Holland played for the St. Petersburg Pelicans and St. Lucie Legends of the Senior Professional Baseball Association. The following year, Holland again played for the Pelicans, going 1-0 with a 4.19 ERA in 6 appearances before the league folded. The league folded in December 1990.
After that Holland spent time as a pitching coach for minor league teams as the Rookie-level Appalachian League Johnson City Cardinals from 2003 to 2006. In 2007, he held the same role with the Batavia Muckdogs until his retirement.
Holland’s survivors include his wife Mary Reid Holland, two daughters and a son.
Celebration of Life Services for Holland will begin Friday, July 10 @ 1- 5p.m. at Hamlar-Curtis Funeral Home, Roanoke. Additionally there will be a memorial service also Friday @ 4:00 pm at Staunton Park, 2225 Staunton Ave. NW after which family visitation will be held at Central Baptist Church 502 Staunton Ave. NW, from 6 – 8 pm.
His final service will be held Saturday, July 11 from 10 to 11am also at Central Baptist Church . Interment will follow at 4:00 pm in Gaston Memorial Park, 2205 Williamsburg Dr., Gastonia, NC.
Live streaming available on the Hamlar-Curtis website. Condolences may be sent to www.hamlar-curtis.com or info@hamlar-curtis.
