“One of my big slogans through my lifetime has been ‘enjoy the moment.’ Well I’m enjoying this one guys, believe me.”
– Roland Hemond, accepting the Buck O’Neil Award
“Roland Hemond came to Cooperstown as the 2011 Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award winner after a lifetime spent in baseball assembling championship teams and building treasured relationships. With a perpetual twinkle in his eye, Roland had a love for the game that was fueled by a respect and admiration for all who played it. He worked tirelessly to help baseball family members in need and never wavered in his commitment to serve. We extend our condolences to his wife, Margo, and the entire Hemond family.”
– Jane Forbes Clark, Chairman, Baseball Hall of Fame
Roland Hemond
Born: Oct. 26, 1929 at Central Falls, R.I.
Died: Dec. 13, 2021
Roland Hemond revolutionized front office management and strategy during a seven-decade career in baseball while spending his post-general manager days assisting baseball family members in need.
Hemond first rose to prominence in the late 1950s as the assistant scouting director for the Milwaukee Braves. Hemond helped assemble a Braves team that won National League pennants in 1957 and 1958, along with the 1957 World Series.
Hemond became the scouting director for the Los Angeles Angels in their debut season of 1961, remaining with the franchise until 1970, when he became the Chicago White Sox’s general manager. With the Sox, Hemond orchestrated a 31-game improvement over the course of the 1970-72 seasons, winning the Sporting News MLB Executive of the Year award in 1972. Hemond remained the White Sox’s general manager through the 1985 season, assembling the team that won the 1983 American League West title. Hemond won his second Executive of the Year honor in 1983.
Hemond served as the president of the Association of Professional Baseball Players of America, which provides financial assistance and college scholarships to current and former players, scouts and others connected with pro baseball. Hemond also helped found the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation, designed to provide assistance to longtime scouts who are in need of special support.
Visit BaseballHall.org to read about Roland Hemond’s life and view a video tribute…