Roger Holt

Baseball is a game full of statistics; however, they rarely tell the whole story. Such is the case with Roger Holt, an infielder who grew up in a small town in rural Florida and made it to the major leagues with the New York Yankees late in the 1980 season. Holt – a contact hitter with an excellent batting eye – had just one career hit in two games as a big-leaguer. After his retirement, however, he had a significant impact on his local youth baseball community.

*****

Roger Boyd Holt was born in Daytona Beach, Florida, on April 8, 1956. He was the second child of Boyd, a businessman, and Emily (née Cowen) Holt. His brother, Bill, is eight years older and ran a successful insurance business. The family moved to Leesburg, Florida, a small town in central Florida, shortly after Roger Holt was born.

Holt and his brother both grew up playing baseball in Leesburg’s city leagues. Boyd and Emily Holt attended all their sons’ games, a tradition that continued until Roger traveled out of state for college games.1 Growing up, Holt collected baseball cards but did not have a favorite player or team.

Holt had a distinguished career at Leesburg High School, where he was a four-year starter on the varsity baseball team led by legendary coach Buddy Lowe.2 Holt excelled on the mound, as he went 15-1 in his high school career.3 However, he was even more outstanding at the shortstop position, with excellent defense and a sweet swing. A natural left-handed hitter, Holt hit .380 for his high school career. In his senior year, he was Leesburg High’s Most Valuable Player and was selected to play in the area’s high school all-star game. Furthermore, he was named All-Conference, All-State, and All-Region.

During the summer after Holt’s senior season, he played on a travel ball team coached by Jay Bergman, an assistant coach at the University of Florida and a former Leesburg High School teacher. Bergman later would serve as the head coach of the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida. Holt credited playing on that travel team for his development as a hitter. “I saw my first slider that summer.”4 He was able to play against college-level pitchers.

After high school, the Holt family spoke with a scout from the Cincinnati Reds about turning professional. However, Holt was not selected in the draft. He later heard that it was believed that he was demanding a significant signing bonus to sign with a team, which was untrue. When asked about the incident, Holt insisted that he was not ready to play professional baseball out of high school and was fortunate to go to college.

College coaches considered Holt to be one of the top players in the state of Florida. He initially committed to play at Florida State University. However, a coaching change at the school caused Holt to flip his commitment to the University of Florida. Jay Bergman considered the signing a coup, saying, “We think that Roger is the first genuine All-American since Perry Griffin. With his desire and great playing ability, he will be one of the best in Florida’s history.”5 Holt would spend the next three years proving Bergman right.

At the University of Florida, Holt majored in Business Administration/Marketing. At the time Holt attended, the student body had a larger population than his hometown. Holt considered it a privilege to attend the University of Florida. His parents stressed the importance of a college education – “School came first,” he said, “and academics [were] very important.”6

As a true freshman, Holt was a breakout player for the Gators. He started all 48 games and dominated the batter’s box. Using an aluminum bat for the first time, Holt hit .353 with three home runs, five triples, 10 stolen bases, and 38 runs scored.7 Holt’s on-base percentage of .471 was even more impressive; for the season, he drew 36 walks and struck out only 15 times.

Holt’s offensive numbers regressed a bit during his sophomore season. He again started 45 games. However, he hit “only” .302 with two triples, no homers, 13 stolen bases, and 25 runs.8 His on-base percentage also fell to .369. Holt spent the summer playing in the Alaska League with the Anchorage Pilots, but he was not a starter. He described the experience as humbling.

Holt returned to prior form in his junior year. He served as the spark plug for a Gators team that nearly advanced to the College World Series. He started 57 games at shortstop and peppered opposing pitchers. For the season, Holt hit .351 with three triples, 32 stolen bases, and 60 runs. Although he once again did not homer, his on-base percentage rebounded to an eye-popping .467, as he drew 44 walks (against only 22 strikeouts).9 Holt was rewarded for his outstanding performance by being named to the 1977 All-SEC team.10 However, he also set a dubious team record by committing 28 errors.11

As Coach Bergman had predicted three short years before, Holt left the University of Florida as one of the best players in team history. At the time he left, Holt was the Gators’ career leader in hits, runs, walks, and assists.12 He was second on the school’s all-time stolen base list. In 2014, the Gainesville Sun named Holt the 17th best player in the program’s history.13

The New York Yankees selected Holt in the fourth round of the 1977 major-league draft, pick number 101 overall. Holt would spend the next three years in the minor leagues before making it to the majors. Throughout his time in the minors, he displayed the same on-base skills that made him a college star. However, he continued not to show much extra-base pop, recording a slugging percentage of .304 with nine homers as a professional.

Holt found out that he had been drafted when he arrived home from college after taking a final exam. “I got home, and mom greeted me at the door and told me congratulations. There was a banner that said, ‘Congratulations on being drafted by the New York Yankees!’ The team called my house after they drafted me and told my parents.”14

After signing his professional contract, Holt was assigned to the Single-A Fort Lauderdale Yankees for the rest of the 1977 season. The team approached Holt before the season and asked him to consider switch-hitting, which he did for the first time. Holt started 76 games for the team while splitting time between second base and shortstop. In his first season as a switch-hitter, Holt hit only .244 but displayed his trademark plate discipline. Holt drew 58 walks and struck out only 36 times, finishing the season with a .387 on-base percentage. He participated in the  Instructional League after the season ended.

The Yankees promoted Holt to Double-A West Haven for the 1978 season. He appeared in 137 games for the team, and his offensive numbers improved. For the season, Holt hit .278 and stole 14 bases. His plate discipline continued, with 74 walks fueling a .389 on base percentage, and only 54 strikeouts. Holt also began transitioning to second base, which was initially difficult; he committed 29 errors. However, his fielding improved greatly in subsequent seasons.

In 1979, the Yankees invited Holt to major-league spring training. At the end of camp, the Yankees promoted Holt again by assigning him to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers, managed by Gene Michael, future manager and GM of the big club. He appeared in 130 games and again showed offensive improvement – indeed, he had a career season, hitting .280 with his first career home run as a pro. Holt continued to show his excellent batting eye by walking 69 times for a .382 on-base percentage, with just 42 strikeouts.

The highlight of Holt’s 1979 season came in Game Seven of the International League’s playoff finals against the Syracuse Chiefs. The IL title was on the line when Holt came to the plate in the bottom of the 12th inning. He lined the first pitch from Steve Grilli to center field, driving in the winning run and securing the championship.15 In an iconic moment in Clippers history, the team carried Holt off the field. In 2006, the Clippers released a commemorative baseball card.16 

Holt received several accolades for his performance in the 1979 season, including being named the starting shortstop of the International League All-Star Team.17 He was also named Co-Clipper of the Year with teammate Dennis Werth.18

Holt’s success was not limited to the baseball field. In September 1979, he married the love of his life, Kathy Chandler.19 The couple first met in school in Leesburg. This was the beginning of a happy marriage that continues to this day.

After three years in the minor leagues, Holt’s statistics showed that he had the skills to be a major-leaguer. All he needed was an opportunity to prove it. Unfortunately for Holt, his path to the majors was blocked by Willie Randolph, one of the premier second basemen of the 1980s. Both were light hitters with high on-base percentages. However, Randolph was already a two-time major-league All-Star, and whereas Holt had improved as a glove man, he was not in Randolph’s class.

After the 1979 season, there were rumors that the Yankees might be willing to trade Randolph. A Sporting News article by New York reporter Phil Pepe said that “although [the Yankees] regard [Randolph] as one of the best second basemen in the league, they were very high on Roger Holt … who could step in and take over second base.”20 Ultimately, Randolph remained with the Yankees through the 1988 season.

As Holt’s 1980 season began, his potential was assessed. Reporter Peter Gammons mentioned him in a discussion of the Yankees’ prospects by saying, “Other than Dave Righetti they have Roger Holt, who some scouts feel can be a decent everyday player and others say will be another Fred Stanley.”21 Stanley had a 14-year major-league career, mainly as a backup, and won two World Series rings with the Yankees.

The big club invited Holt to spring training and assigned him jersey number 26.22 However, he was sent to the minor-league camp on April 1, 1980.23  He returned to Columbus.

Unfortunately, the 1980 season was the worst of Holt’s professional career. He appeared in 121 games for the Clippers. Though he managed three home runs, a career-high to that point, Holt hit just .213, and for the first time in his career, he did not walk more than he struck out (56 in each category) and posted a mere .319 on-base percentage). Holt attributed his low average to “having a bad season” and refused to consider the possibility of bad luck; he had a BABIP of .244.

Nonetheless, Holt still seemed to be a viable prospect. On September 17, 1980, the Yankees promoted him to the major-league roster.24 Holt stood 5-foot-11 and weighed 180 pounds. He joined the team in New York and was issued jersey number 55. Only three years after being drafted, Holt had made it to The Show. The only question now was whether he would get a chance to play. For two weeks, Holt practiced with the team and hoped for a chance to get into a game.

During his time with the team, Holt described his major-league teammates as friendly and kind. He vividly remembered the first time he put on Yankees pinstripes. Prior to his first game with the Yankees, teammate Brian Doyle insisted on taking Holt to see Monument Park, an area inaccessible to the general public. 

On October 4, 1980, the Yankees clinched a spot in the playoffs and Holt finally got his opportunity. Yankees manager Dick Howser started him at second base and ninth in the batting order. An announced crowd of 55,410 fans saw Holt take the field at Yankee Stadium against the Detroit Tigers.

The ball found Holt early in the game. In the top of the first inning, Lynn Jones hit a grounder to second base. Holt fielded it and threw Kemp out at first. In total, Holt would have eight fielding opportunities, and he handled them all cleanly.

Holt’s first at-bat came in the bottom of the second inning against Dave Tobik, who struck him out. In the bottom of the fourth, Holt worked a walk off Tobik but was stranded on first.

The Tigers brought in lefty Pat Underwood in the bottom of the sixth. Holt came up with two outs and Fred Stanley on first base. Holt connected but flied to center field, ending the inning.

In the eighth, the Tigers summoned future All-Star pitcher Aurelio López. Holt came to the plate with one out and runners on first and second. Holt singled to left field, driving in a run and collecting his only major-league hit. He again was stranded at first.

Holt’s final at-bat came against López with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. The Yankees were trailing by one run with two runners on base. As the crowd watched in anticipation, López struck out the rookie to end the game. Although Holt may have been disappointed by this result, one thing was undeniable – he was a major-leaguer.

October 5, 1980, was the last day of the Yankees’ regular season. It was also the last day that Holt would play in a major-league game. Howser again put him in the starting lineup at second base and batting ninth.

The Tigers started Dan Schatzeder. Unfortunately for Holt and the Yankees, the lefty was masterful, as he allowed only four hits over eight innings. Holt faced Schatzeder for the first time in the bottom of the third inning and flied out to left field. In the bottom of the sixth, Holt popped out to third base. The Yankees were winning 2-1 in the bottom of the eighth. Holt was standing in the on-deck circle when Fred Stanley grounded out to end the inning. Doug Bird pitched a scoreless ninth inning to end the game. Unbeknownst to Holt, he would never play in the majors again.

On October 24, 1980, New York traded Holt to the Texas Rangers for Tucker Ashford and cash.25 Ashford, a utility player, would play three games for the Yankees before being traded away.  Holt learned of the trade when he arrived at the University of Florida for an alumni game. Coach Jay Bergman told Holt about the trade and stressed the increased opportunity that he would have with the Rangers.

The Rangers assigned Holt to the Triple-A Wichita Aeros for the 1981 season. He played the bulk of the season at second base, 101 games, but also got into 27 at the hot corner. He set a career-high in home runs with four. Holt’s 49 walks gave him a .342 on-base percentage, and he struck out only 39 times.

The 1982 season was Holt’s final year in pro baseball. Once again, he was in Triple-A, this time with the Denver Bears. Holt played almost exclusively at second base. For the first time in his professional career, he struck out more times than he walked (46 to 42). He hit .239 with a .312 on-base percentage. He also developed tendinitis in his throwing arm. At the end of the season, Holt retired – but he never really walked away from the game he loved.

Holt finished his education at the University of Florida and returned to Leesburg with his wife, Kathy. The couple raised two sons, Josh and Jonathan. Both of Holt’s sons were accomplished ballplayers, starring at Leesburg High School and in college.

Josh Holt was a first baseman and pitcher. He graduated in 2001 and attended Flagler College, where he was a four-year starter at first base. Ultimately, Josh was named to Flagler College’s All-Century Team. After his playing days, Josh embarked on a coaching career.

Jonathan Holt was a pitcher and second baseman. He graduated in 2004 and pitched for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Seminole Community College, and Tampa University.26  In 2007, Jonathan pitched a complete game shutout to give Tampa the Division II national championship. He received numerous accolades, including being named as a Rawlings/ABCA All-America second-team selection. The Cleveland Indians drafted Jonathan in the fifth round of the 2007 Major League Draft. He pitched in the minor leagues for four seasons before retiring and pursuing a coaching career.

After his playing career ended, Roger Holt worked in the clay mining industry for more than 30 years. Now retired, he remains active as a volunteer assistant high school coach. Holt has been involved with coaching youth baseball for over 30 years. He encourages all his players to give back to the game once they stop playing. Holt said, “Few things are as rewarding as teaching a kid a technique and seeing the lightbulb come on when they get it.”27

Last revised: May 7, 2025

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Roger Holt for his memories.

This biography was reviewed by Rory Costello and Mike Eisenbth and fact-checked by members of the SABR BioProject fact-checking team.

Photo credit: Roger Holt, Trading Card Database.

Sources

In addition to those mentioned in the Notes, the author utilized Baseball-Reference.com and thebaseballcube.com.

Notes

1 Alex Weaver, interview of Roger Holt, April 28, 2024 (hereafter Holt interview).

2 When Lowe retired, he was the state’s winningest high-school baseball coach, with a career record of 599-246. He also ranked sixth in the nation. He was inducted into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association’s Hall of Fame in 1987 and was named the baseball coach of the year in 1979 by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association.

3 “Gators Sign Baseball Ace,” Panama City (Florida) News-Herald, August 11, 1974: 28.

4 Holt interview.

5 “Gators Sign Baseball Ace.”

6 Holt interview.

7 Florida Gators 1975 season statistics (https://floridagators.com/documents/2021/11/9//1975.HTM?id=32107).

8 Florida Gators 1976 season statistics (https://floridagators.com/documents/2021/11/9//1976.HTM?id=32105).

9 Florida Gators 1977 season statistics (https://floridagators.com/documents/2021/11/9//1977.HTM?id=32105).

10 “All-SEC Team is Selected,” Panama City News-Herald, May 15, 1977: 4C.

11 Gator Baseball History & Links (https://floridagators.com/sports/2015/12/10/_baseball_history_php_his_1999_season1999_html.aspx).

12 Gator Baseball History & Links.

13 Pat Dooley, “Top players in Gators history: 50-11,” Gainesville (Florida) Sun, February 3, 2014.

14 Holt interview.

15 John McNeely, “Columbus Sips Champagne,” The Sporting News, September 29, 1979: 37.

16 Trading Cad Database (https://www.tcdb.com/ViewCard.cfm/sid/116350/cid/7978574?PageIndex=1).

17 “Columbus’ Anderson, Brown I.L. Award Winners,” The Sporting News, September 22, 1979: 38.

18 Phil Pepe, “He’s Trying to Prove Werth to Yanks,” The Sporting News, March 8, 1980: 29.

19 Roger Holt’s Sporting News Contract Card (https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll3/id/84697/rec/53).

20 Phil Pepe, “Yanks Set Sights on Winfield,” The Sporting News, November 3, 1979: 47.

21 Peter Gammons, “The Rookie Spotlight,” The Sporting News, March 8, 1980: 11.

22 “AL East Divisions Player List,” The Sporting News, March 29, 1980, page 48.

23 “Sports Transactions,” United Press International, April 1, 1980.

24 “Sports Transactions,” United Press International, September 17, 1980.

25 “Sports Transactions,” The Associated Press, October 26, 1980.

26 Jonathan Holt profile, Flagler Athletics website (https://flaglerathletics.com/sports/baseball/roster/coaches/jonathan-holt/554).

27 Holt interview.