Talk:Rollie Stiles

From BR Bullpen

From the American Association Almanac:

I am very saddened at the news of the passing of Rollie Stiles, formerly the oldest living major leaguer. He died on Sunday, July 22, 2007. Because of his years playing with Milwaukee and Kansas City of the American Association in the 1930's, I conducted an extensive telephone interview with him which took place over a two month period in 2004.

At the time, Stiles' baseball memories were quite in tact. When the topic of his trade to Kansas City from Milwaukee came up, Stiles commented that he still couldn't figure out why Milwaukee traded him in 1934 for a pitcher who was so much older (ten years) and whose career was obviously in decline. The player was Bryan Harriss, a tall, lanky Texan, who had a no-hitter in the league as a St. Paul Saint in 1932. He seemed to recall the event in great detail, expressing his disappointment and disbelief. Conjecturing on the matter, he thought perhaps the decision to send him to KC took place in part because he didn't fit in with the social scheme of the Milwaukee club. Having an affable, yet not as gregarious, type of personality, he wondered if he simply wasn't liked as a team member.

"Lena" Stiles had his best Association season in 1935 when he went 13-11 with a 3.39 ERA with the ascendant Kansas City Blues. Stiles helped the club recover from its last place finish the previous year to wind up in a tie for third-place at 84-70 under Dutch Zwilling. Stiles' moundmates that year included Wilcy Moore, Phil Page, Harold Smith and Clarence Struss.

His entry into the American Association came in 1932 as a Milwaukee Brewer under the tutelage of Frank "Blackie" O'Rourke. The 25-year-old came away with a record of 1-5 in 16 games for the third-place Brewers.

I was privileged to become acquainted with him, as we discussed much more than baseball during our interview. Someday I will transcribe these tapes and make them available to others.

Rex Hamann 14201 Crosstown Blvd. NW Andover, Minnesota 55304-3311

The American Association Almanac A Baseball History Journal (1902-1952) www.AmericanAssociationAlmanac.com Subscriptions available...Be the first on your block! And be sure to check out the latest entry in my blog: www.theoldaa.wordpress.com