Minnie Rojas
Born: 11/26/1933 in Remedios Las Villas, Villa Clara, Cuba
Died: 3/23/2002 in Los Angeles, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 1966-05-30 | Final Game: 1968-07-24
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 170 lbs
Full name: Minervino Alejandro Rojas
Biography
Minnie Rojas was a professional baseball pitcher who made a notable impact in Major League Baseball during the late 1960s. Born in 1933, Rojas played primarily from 1966 until his retirement on July 24, 1968. Throughout his career, he established a record of 23 wins against 16 losses, showcasing his competitive nature on the mound. With an earned run average (ERA) of 3.0, Rojas demonstrated his ability to limit runs and maintain effectiveness against opposing hitters. His skill in high-pressure situations was underscored by his impressive tally of 43 saves, marking him as a reliable closer during his time in the league.
Rojas's playing style was characterized by a combination of finesse and determination. He recorded a total of 153 strikeouts, indicating his capability to overpower batters with his pitches. Competing in an era that witnessed the transition from traditional pitching styles to more dynamic approaches, Rojas adapted well, contributing to the evolution of the closer role in baseball. His career, though relatively brief, left a lasting impression on the teams he played for and the fans who admired his tenacity on the mound. As a retired player, Minnie Rojas remains a respected figure in baseball history, remembered for his contributions to the game during a transformative period.
Career Pitching Statistics
| W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | HR | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 16 | 157 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 261.0 | 244 | 87 | 27 | 68 | 153 | 3.00 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Pitching
| Year | Team | Lg | W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | LAA | AL | 7 | 4 | 47 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 84.3 | 83 | 27 | 15 | 37 | 2.88 | - |
| 1967 | LAA | AL | 12 | 9 | 72 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 121.7 | 106 | 34 | 38 | 83 | 2.52 | - |
| 1968 | LAA | AL | 4 | 3 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 55.0 | 55 | 26 | 15 | 33 | 4.25 | - |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 157 | 41 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 22 | 0.073 | 0.116 | 0.098 | 0.214 | 0.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | LAA | AL | 47 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0.071 | 0.0 |
| 1967 | LAA | AL | 72 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 0.059 | 0.0 |
| 1968 | LAA | AL | 38 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0.100 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 157 | 2 | 5 | 28 | 1 | 2 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | CAL | P | 47 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 2 |
| 1967 | CAL | P | 72 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| 1968 | CAL | P | 38 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | 157 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1967 | TSN Fireman of the Year |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 24th | 1.0 | 280 | 0 |