Steve Rogers

Starting Pitcher
Manhattan Gray Sox (MON, CHI, ATL)
1973-1987


When one conjures the 1970s Manhattan Gray Sox dynasty, the first names that come to mind are Craig Robinson, Rico Petrocelli, Gorman Thomas—maybe even Ollie Brown. After all, the four-time World Series winners were built on one of the most prolific offenses in UL history. But look closer and another name emerges as one of key cogs that Disco-era juggernaut: starting ace Steve Rogers.

The righthander Rogers, along with lefty Steve Carlton, were the anchors at the top of the Dingy Hose rotation, and were often overshadowed by the club's hitters. (After all, C-Rob won six straight MVP awards and set the single season home run record—twice—in back-to-back Triple Crown seasons.)  Unlike Carlton, Rogers not pitched most of his career and all of his peak years with the Dark Gray and Light Gray, and he also performed when it mattered most.

Born in Jefferson City, Missouri in 1949, Rogers was the son of a dentist and earned a petroleum engineering degree from the University of Tulsa, with whom he starred in the 1971 College World Series.  Drafted #3 by Manhattan's 3rd-year GM Eric Holthaus in 1973, the 22-year-old made an immediate impact, leading the league with five shutouts on his way to a 13-8 record and 2.85 ERA. The following spring he was anointed the #1 UL prospect and made the ace of the staff ahead of a couple Dons: Sutton and Drysdale. And he did not disappoint, leading the league with 35 starts and 262.2 innings in a 16-9 campaign and helping  lead the Sox to just their second playoff appearance in their 13-year existence. That was just the beginning of what was to come.

Look up the word "workhorse" in the American Heritage Dictionary and you will find Rogers' smiling and mustachioed visage. During a six-year span from 1974-79, he averaged 17 wins, 244 innings and 5.3 WAR, with a 1.32 WHIP and 3.41 ERA in the most hitter-friendly building in the league. His best season was arguably 1979, when he led the league with 18 wins and had a 1.23 WHIP and 7.3 WAR.

While he never won a Cy Young or even a All-UL Team nomination, Rogers quietly compiled a 125-67 record, 3.42 ERA, and 39.3 WAR during his eight seasons with Manhattan. But his real legacy came in the postseason, where Rogers compiled a 13-3 record, including 8-2 in the UL World Series. While Carlton was 1-3 in the World Series during the dynasty years, Rogers went 5-2, including two complete games and a 1.50 ERA in 1977, which earned him the Lew Burdette Playoff MVP Award.

After leaving the Bronx after 1980, Rogers had a great three-year run with Montreal that included a career-best 2.62 ERA in 1981 and a 16-win season in 1983. He also was a key man in the Voyaguers' 1982 title run in their sparkling new ballpark. Rogers posted a 1.26 ERA in two starts, winning his fifth World Series ring, making him one of just seven starting pitchers to win five rings.

His World Series resume is one of the best there is: tied for 2nd with 12 starts, 2nd in winning percentage (.800) among pitchers with at least five decisions, 3rd in wins with eight. It is his postseason accomplishments that lift his career up to the level of consideration for Hall enshrinement. (TJS)