ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — Friday afternoon at Staunton Park, family and friends gathered to pay their respects to former MLB pitcher and Roanoke native Al Holland. Holland passed away on July 4 at the age of 73. Holland played multiple sports at Lucy Addison High School. He then moved on to play football and baseball at North Carolina A&T. Holland’s number 17 jersey is retired by the Aggies. Holland played in the Major Leagues of baseball for 10 seasons. His banner year came in 1983 where he helped pitch the Philadelphia Phillies to the National League pennant and a spot in the World Series. Holland also earned the NL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award. Holland came back to the Star City as an educator and coach at William Fleming High School. Holland’s impact on young people in the community is memorable for so many reasons.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.