Hall of Fame pitcher Rollie Fingers played for the Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres over a 17-year career. Fingers was a two-time World Series champion, a World Series MVP, an American League MVP, an American League Cy Young Award winner, a seven-time all-star and a four-time Rolaids Relief Pitcher of the Year. He set the record for career saves — until broken by Jeff Reardon in 1992 — with 341. Known for his standout performances as a relief pitcher, Fingers is equally famous for the waxed handlebar mustache he’s sported since 1972.
Q: Whatap it like to be back here with all the fans seeing you at All-Star Weekend?
A: I wish they had fan fests like these when I was a kid. I would’ve loved to have met all the Dodgers when I was a kid, but this is the greatest thing for kids right now. They’re learning about the game, the history of it, they get to take batting practice, just everything, itap a great venue
Q: Whatap your favorite part about meeting all the fans this weekend?
A: Meeting all the kids. A lot of the kids don’t know who I am because I’m so old, but guys who are 50 or 60 years old say, “Hey, I watched you when I was a kid,” so that makes me feel good you know.
Q: Did you ever want to pitch at Coors Field? How much would your approach change if you played here?
A: Pitching here at Coors Field, because of the altitude, is tough to make a ball move a little more. I would probably throw a lot of sinkers because any of your pitches that would get air here are going to sail a little farther. You definitely have to learn how to pitch here at Coors Field.
Q: The Home Run Derby is in a couple days at Coors Field, no humidor, how big will this Derby be?
A: Balls are going to be flying out. Since we’re at higher altitude, balls are probably going to carry an extra 15 to 20 feet. These guys are so strong nowadays, there’s going to be balls flying way outside, maybe 450 to 500 feet. I’m a pitcher. I don’t do home run derbies, I’ve seen enough of them.
Q: What is your impression of this next wave of MLB All-Stars?
A: The kids are getting bigger, they’re getting stronger. Pitchers are getting more mechanics down and throwing the ball harder. I think the kids today are probably keeping themselves in better shape than how we did.
Q: How do you think the game has evolved in recent years?
:I mean, the field is always the same — 60-feet and six inches, 90-feet down the basepaths, but the kids are doing a lot better with the mechanics and have been practicing a lot more on those. The game has changed a little bit, the bullpens have changed a little bit. There’s more guys down in the bullpen now, teams are carrying more pitchers this time around when we only carried nine back then.
