Former Phillies Closer Al Holland Dies at 74

The Philadelphia Phillies announced Monday that former relief pitcher Al Holland has died. The team said Holland spent parts of three seasons with the club from 1983 to 1985.

Holland served as the Phillies' primary closer during that span. He earned his lone All-Star selection in 1984 after posting a 2.13 ERA and 29 saves.

Holland also pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, California Angels and New York Yankees. Across 10 major-league seasons he finished with 78 saves and a 2.98 ERA. A Society for American Baseball Research account noted that Yankees owner George Steinbrenner signed Holland to a non-guaranteed contract in February 1986 despite advice from baseball executives.

Holland appeared in 25 games for the Yankees that year before an injury ended his season. He returned briefly in 1987. After retirement he coached in the minor leagues and pitched in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989.