Rowland Office: In a League of His Own

On the field, it didn’t amount to much.  Over 11 years, Rowland Office got just over 2,400 at bats, hit .259, and totaled only 32 homers and 27 steals.  In a single season, he got over 400 at bats only twice – with some of Atlanta’s most woeful teams.  His main claim to fame was being the youngest player in the majors, in 1972, at age 19.

Off the field is another matter though.  In fact, Rowland is the force behind:

• Rowland Office: The Man, the Myth, and the Legend
• This tortured post
• A blog about the Braves called Rowland’s Office

Straight ahead.

1974.  Rowland is 21 years old, and a late-inning defensive substitute for some guy named Aaron.  Seems said Aaron was busy chasing some sort of record or something, and didn’t want to tire himself out too much.

Show ‘em your best side, Rowland.

1975.  Rowland gets 100 more at bats, hits .290, but “clubs” the same measly number of homers (3), and somehow manages to get one less RBI (30).

Note to self:  be sure to close mouth.

1977.  Rowland manages to get a career-high in at bats, but still only get 5 homers.  Hitting .242 doesn’t help any.

Good idea.  You know, that close-up wasn’t really working, was it?

1978.  Arguably Rowland’s best year ever.   He sets records for homers (9), RBIs (40), and steals (8). 

Hey, hey!  What did I say about the close-up?  And the mouth!

1980.  We are now ready to become an Expo.  Basically, we’ve traded one dorky-looking softball league cap for another.  It doesn’t help our game much though.

It’s a Fleer, but just such a classic, I had to end with it.

1981.  We get only 44 at bats and hit .175.  It’s better than the next two years, though, where we get 4 and 3 at bats respectively.

Rowland, it’s been nice knowin’ ya.