November 23, 2004
Oldest Living Browns Player Remembers
by Joan M. Thomas
"I always wanted to, but I didn't think it was possible." So says Rolland Stiles, who lived the dream that precious few hopefuls ever come close to realizing. But as he anticipates his upcoming 98th birthday of November 17, he still recalls with wonder how he got to play Major League Baseball over seventy years ago. Pitching for the St. Louis Browns during the Great Depression years of 1930, 31 and 33, he is today the oldest living former member of that American League club.* On April 3 he accepted the Bob Burnes Award for "A Lifetime Achievement In Professional Baseball" from the Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame. During my recent visit with him, he puzzled on his past good fortune, remarking "Some people try to get in the big leagues…it seemed like it was just handed to me."
Welcoming my husband and me into his apartment in South St. Louis County, six foot-plus Rollie, with a full crop of thick white hair, emitted the countenance of someone half his age. As he related the important moments in his life, it was clear that he has been a totally devoted husband and father. He's outlived his wife of sixty-five years, and two adopted sons. But, he still has five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
Born in Ratcliff, Arkansas, the youngest of six children, Stiles grew up on a farm there. Like all four of his brothers, he played amateur ball, but he was the only one to make it to the majors. Capturing the attention of a Browns scout while playing in an amateur tournament in Ada, Oklahoma, he snagged a pro contract in 1928, and the following year pitched for the Tulsa Oilers (the Browns farm club in the Class A Texas League). His outstanding performance there earned him his spot with the Browns in 1930. He acquired the handle "Lena" from Paul Richards, an opposing team's player. When Rollie leapt to catch a batted ball, Richards exclaimed "Leapin' Lena!" And the name stuck.
Gesturing with his hands, Stiles recounted his experience with the Browns - his long, slender fingers permitting a glimpse of his past as a professional pitcher. His right-handed retinue included a fast ball and a curve ball. He recalled pitching in a preseason game against the Cardinals at Sportsman's Park, remarking at what a good year Cardinal Frankie Frisch had in 1930. When quizzed about his experience with the legendary Babe Ruth, he remarked "I didn't have any problems with him, but that guy that followed him was the best hitter I ever saw." That guy, of course, was the inimitable Lou Gehrig. Stiles added, "Lefty Grove was the best pitcher I saw in my day." Resuming the topic of the Bambino (Ruth), Rollie claims he does not remember the slugger ever hitting a home run off him. Though the books say that it happened at least once, Rollie still believes that the records could be in error.
During his big league days, Rollie met and married a St. Louis girl, Margaret Herget. She accompanied him during his last years of pro ball when he played for Jersey City, of the International League. After retiring from baseball, he got a job with Proctor & Gamble, working in shipping and then in production. At first the Stiles family resided in South St. Louis, eventually building a home in South County, at the then-new Reavis Gardens subdivision. They lived there for 23 years. He quipped that then he had "to keep the grass cut." Rollie retired in 1969, and he and Margaret moved to a condo on Highway 21 - No more lawn-care worries.
Today Stiles gets to few ballgames, but he does catch the Cards on TV. Discussing the current club, he expressed admiration for Edmonds, Rolen and especially Pujols. "That first baseman," he declared, pinching his lips and shaking his handsomely vintage head in awe, "he's a natural." Broached the subject of the modern home run phenomenon, he adamantly insists that there is "nothing wrong with the baseball." He does not believe that it is juiced, explaining that perhaps the pitching is not as good, or "maybe the hitters are stronger."
As far as being a spectator, Stiles is more interested in watching the Rams - it seems that when it comes to baseball, he would rather be part of the action. His face gleams and the timeworn lines vanish when he relives his stint with the Browns. When asked if he thought he was paid what he was worth then, he smiled and said "Everybody thinks they're worth more, but I was always satisfied. I was making a little more than the average mechanic - They got 95 cents an hour." Posed the question of whether he misses playing baseball, he mused "I think about it all the time…I still would like another chance to give it one more try…" The fact remains, he was good enough to survive among the best in the game for three seasons. That's something that time can never alter.
*Ray Cunningham, who played third for the Cardinals in 1931 & 32, turned 99 on January 17. Now residing in the Houston, Texas area, he is the oldest living former major leaguer.
Joan M. Thomas
Contact Information
Joan Thomas
Freelance Writer
314-664-0193
Editor's note - Joan M. Thomas is a freelance writer and this article was first featured this month on the cover of St. Louis Senior Circuit and has been republished here and at our sister site at www.thestlbrowns, with her permission.
