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North Carolina A&T baseball legend passes away at 73
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Former North Carolina A&T baseball standout and Major League Baseball All-Star Al Holland Sr. has passed away at the age of 73, closing the chapter on one of the greatest careers ever produced by an HBCU diamond. Long before becoming an All-Star closer with the Philadelphia Phillies , Holland established himself as a dominant force in Greensboro, throwing four collegiate no-hitters, earning All-American honors, and cementing his place as one of the most decorated players in Aggies history. His impact on the game transcended generations, leaving behind a legacy of excellence that continues to inspire HBCU athletes pursuing dreams at the highest level.
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The Roanoke, Virginia, native played baseball for North Carolina A&T from 1972 to 1975 under legendary coach Mel "Big 10" Groomes. Even before reaching the major leagues, Holland had already established himself as one of the greatest athletes in school history. He remains one of only three North Carolina A&T student-athletes to have his jersey retired based on athletic merit, joining Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Al Attles and Pro Football Hall of Famer Elvin Bethea. In recognition of his contributions to the program, Holland's No. 17 is permanently displayed on the left-field wall at World War Memorial Stadium.
"Al Holland was a big-league star, both on and off the field," North Carolina A&T Chancellor James R. Martin II said in a statement. "He and his trademark phrase, 'Give me the ball,' personified the Aggie spirit of toughness, competitiveness, and excellence that defines our university. He was one of a kind, and we will sorely miss him at North Carolina A&T."
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Although Holland excelled in football and basketball, it was on the baseball field where he truly made his mark. As a freshman, he led the nation with 143 strikeouts and finished second nationally with a remarkable 0.54 ERA. One of the defining moments of his freshman season came when he struck out 25 batters in a no-hitter against North Carolina Central University.
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Holland's dominance continued throughout his collegiate career. He never posted a season ERA higher than 1.03 and remarkably recorded a no-hitter in each of his four seasons with the Aggies. Even as North Carolina A&T transitioned from the NAIA to the NCAA, Holland remained one of the nation's most feared pitchers.
Despite being drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 30th round of the 1974 MLB Draft and later by the San Diego Padres in the January phase of the 1975 draft, Holland prioritized completing his education before pursuing professional baseball. After earning a bachelor's degree in recreation from North Carolina A&T in 1975, he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization later that year.
Holland went on to enjoy a successful 10-year Major League Baseball career. He made his MLB debut with the Pirates on Sept. 5, 1977, and later emerged as one of baseball's premier relief pitchers. In 1980, while playing for the San Francisco Giants , he finished seventh in National League Rookie of the Year voting.
One of the most memorable chapters of Holland's professional career came in 1983 with the Philadelphia Phillies . That season, he recorded 25 saves and played a pivotal role in helping the Phillies capture the National League pennant. Holland earned saves in Games 1 and 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers , helping Philadelphia advance to the World Series. Although the Phillies ultimately fell to the Baltimore Orioles in five games, Holland secured the save in Philadelphia's Game 1 victory.
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His standout performances earned him numerous accolades throughout his career, including the National League Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award. He also finished among the top 10 vote-getters for both the Cy Young Award and National League MVP. In 1984, Holland earned the lone All-Star selection of his major league career.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Holland's impact on the sport was recognized through multiple Hall of Fame inductions. He was inducted into the MEAC Hall of Fame in 1993, the North Carolina A&T Sports Hall of Fame in 1994, and the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.
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