Roland Hemond
Encyclopedia
Roland Hemond is a longtime executive in Major League Baseball
who in 2007 returned to the Arizona Diamondbacks as Special Assistant to the President, Derrick Hall. His previous positions include: Scouting Director of the California Angels
(1961–1970), General Manager of the Chicago White Sox
(1970–85), Baltimore Orioles
(1988–95), Senior Executive Vice President of the Arizona Diamondbacks
(1996–2000), and Executive Advisor to the General Manager of the White Sox (2001–2007).
Hemond is a three-time winner of Major League Baseball's "Executive of the Year" award (1972, 1983, 1989). He is also credited with the original idea for the Arizona Fall League
, an off-season developmental league owned and operated by Major League Baseball, featuring the top prospects from each of the MLB teams, with all games played in the spring training
stadiums in and around Phoenix, Arizona
. He is also the President of the Association of Professional Baseball Players of America (APBPA). This non-profit based in Southern California provides anonymous financial assistance and college scholarships to current and former players, scouts, and others connected with any level of professional organized baseball.
During the 2006 World Series
, four of Hemond's associates took part as the general managers and managers of the St. Louis Cardinals
and Detroit Tigers
. Walt Jocketty
, the Cardinals GM, had served as the GM of the White Sox triple A affiliate, the Iowa Oaks. Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa was the White Sox field manager, and Tigers manager Jim Leyland
was his third base coach. Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski
was the White Sox assistant general manager.
Hemond has a World Series ring from his time served as the assistant scouting director of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves.
In February 2011, the Baseball Hall of Fame announced that Hemond would become the second person to receive the Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award
recognizing "the profound impact he has had on the game, for his baseball intelligence as a keen talent evaluator and in building winning teams, to the universal respect he has earned for mentoring generations of baseball executives, past and present." The award is to be presented to him on July 23.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who in 2007 returned to the Arizona Diamondbacks as Special Assistant to the President, Derrick Hall. His previous positions include: Scouting Director of the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
(1961–1970), General Manager of the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
(1970–85), Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
(1988–95), Senior Executive Vice President of the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
(1996–2000), and Executive Advisor to the General Manager of the White Sox (2001–2007).
Hemond is a three-time winner of Major League Baseball's "Executive of the Year" award (1972, 1983, 1989). He is also credited with the original idea for the Arizona Fall League
Arizona Fall League
The Arizona Fall League is an off-season league owned and operated by Major League Baseball which operates during the fall in Arizona, United States at five spring training complexes...
, an off-season developmental league owned and operated by Major League Baseball, featuring the top prospects from each of the MLB teams, with all games played in the spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
stadiums in and around Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
. He is also the President of the Association of Professional Baseball Players of America (APBPA). This non-profit based in Southern California provides anonymous financial assistance and college scholarships to current and former players, scouts, and others connected with any level of professional organized baseball.
During the 2006 World Series
2006 World Series
The 2006 World Series, the 102nd edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, began on October 21 and ended on October 27, and matched the American League champion Detroit Tigers against the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals won the Series in five games, taking...
, four of Hemond's associates took part as the general managers and managers of the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
and Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. Walt Jocketty
Walt Jocketty
Walt Jocketty is the General Manager of the Cincinnati Reds. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he attended the University of Minnesota where he earned a bachelor's degree in business administration. He was previously the General Manager of the St...
, the Cardinals GM, had served as the GM of the White Sox triple A affiliate, the Iowa Oaks. Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa was the White Sox field manager, and Tigers manager Jim Leyland
Jim Leyland
James Richard "Jim" Leyland is a Major League Baseball manager, currently with the Detroit Tigers.He led the Florida Marlins to a World Series championship in 1997, and previously won three straight division titles with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
was his third base coach. Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski
Dave Dombrowski
David Dombrowski is the current president, CEO, and general manager of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball.-Chicago White Sox:...
was the White Sox assistant general manager.
Hemond has a World Series ring from his time served as the assistant scouting director of the 1957 Milwaukee Braves.
In February 2011, the Baseball Hall of Fame announced that Hemond would become the second person to receive the Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award
Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award
The Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award is an award presented by the National Baseball Hall of Fame every three years to honor an individual who enhances baseball's positive image on society, who broadens the game's appeal, and whose integrity and dignity are comparable to the namesake of the...
recognizing "the profound impact he has had on the game, for his baseball intelligence as a keen talent evaluator and in building winning teams, to the universal respect he has earned for mentoring generations of baseball executives, past and present." The award is to be presented to him on July 23.