"THE BIG RED ROLFE" MAKES GOOD

HORATIO ALGER would have material for one of his books if he traced the rapid rise of Robert Abiel Rolfe '31 to the regular shortstop position of the league leading New York Yankees. Dartmouth's contributions to Big League baseball have been scattered over a period of years. Older alumni will recall Ralph Glaze '06 with the Red Sox; United States Senator Fred Brown '03 with the Boston Nationals, Fred Crolius '99 with the same team in 1901 and Pittsburg in 1902; Larry Varney '02. Howard Fahey '14, Chuck Emerson '11, Dave Morey '13, and the famous Mission Indian Chief Meyers '09, who caught for Christy Mathewson. The past two decades can claim only Foster Edwards '25 with the Braves and Yankees and Bill Breckenridge '30 with the Athletics—both pitchers.

And now comes Bob Rolfe, affectionately called by his teammates "the Big Red Rolfe," because of his devastating play against opponents and his name's likeness to the popular song hit "The Big Bad Wolf." Bob comes from one of the pioneer families of Penacook, N. H. He is one of ...five children having two older and two younger sisters. His father conducts an old established factory, manufacturing door blinds and other wood products.

GETS EARLY START

As a youngster Red played for the Bog Pirates of Penacook which rivalled the Burroughs gang at the other end of town. When only in the eighth grade Red, then a midget, was a substitute on the high school team. He played all four years at Penacook High School, graduating in 1926. Then he spent a year at Exeter where he played shortstop on the baseball team which beat Andover 11 to 5. His natural skill was quickly recognized at Hanover where he captained the Dartmouth freshman team in 1928. He was also senior marshal of his class.

Sophomore year found Red under the able tutelage of Coach Jeff Tesreau who writes, "There is nothing too good to say about Rolfe as a college ball player—wonderful personality and an easy fellow to handle on or off the field—always willing to learn. In fact he used to keep me for hours (after every one had left the field) hitting to him, trying different plays and anything we could think of. He was an exceptional student and one of the bestliked fellows on campus—in fact he had everything."

He played varsity shortstop for three years. In 1930, Red's junior year, he batted at .375 getting 11 hits in 40 times at bat in League games. He was second in League fielding with .949 and his all-around play was a big factor in Dartmouth's winning the Eastern Intercollegiate League title that year.

As captain of the 1931 team, Rolfe batted for .359, 14 hits out of 39 times at bat. He led the League in stolen bases (11), triples (3), and fielded for .924. His varsity outside activities included: president of his class sophomore and junior years, class marshal, and a member of Phi Sigma Kappa, Green Key, Palaeopitus, and Sphinx.

Several Big League scouts had been watching Rolfe's work in the spring of 1931 and after graduation the Yankee representative was finally successful in getting his signed contract. He was immediately shipped to Albany in the International League for seasoning. He was then transferred to the Yankee's best farm in the same league—Newark—for 1932 and He played shortstop, fielded brilliantly and batter over .325. Newark won the championship both years and last year Red was voted the most valuable player in the league.

A DOUBLE-PLAY DEMON

Here we should insert the name of Don Heffner, last year's Newark second baseman, who, with Rolfe, forms a deadly and accurate double-play combination. Two very able infielders, Lary and Crosetti, purported to have cost the Yankees $150,000, are now warming the bench due to the effective team play of these two youngsters. Before the Big League season opened the International News Service stated, "The outstanding success of these two newcomers has changed the betting in New York on the Yankees to win the pennant from 2 to 1 odds to 7 to 5."

Rolfe's play in southern training this spring was nothing short of sensational. Richard Vidmer of the New York HeraldTribune said, "the Big Red Rolfe and Heffner handled 13 chances without a slip and form the best double-play combine around second base since—Oh, we can't remember the Yankee's ever having a better one." Another Metropolitan daily commented, "Rolfe and Heffner's debut is likely to give the stadium's loyal legion an eyeful"—and—"Their names may be known but none can appreciate them until they have seen them in action." In southern climes Red batted for .413 in 107 times at bat and fielded for in handling 128 out of 131 chances. He also figured in 20 double plays in the 24 games.

MAKES HIT WITH WRITERS

James Dawson of the N. Y. Times commented, "A glittering gloved hand catch by Rolfe of Jordan's liner gave the onlookers a faint idea of what a help he is going to be at the short field for the Yankees."

The Yankees' major league debut came on April 17th. Experts agree that they lost the pennant last year due to weakness around second base. The season has not progressed sufficiently to make an accurate statement but it looks as though Rolfe and Heffner, barring injuries, are in the lineup to stay. After a is day lay off due to a leg injury and an attack of boils Red returned to the lineup on May 4th and Harry Cross in the N. Y. Herald Tribune commented, "Sharing the admiration of the fans was the new Yankee shortstop, Red Rolfe, who accepted nine chances with the poise of a veteran infielder. The former Dartmouth player has an easy, graceful style and handles a ball and tosses it with the finesse that compels admiration." Last fall the author wrote Eddie Collins, right-eye of the Red Sox. He answered, "There is no doubt that Rolfe would be a favorable acquisition to the Boston club but unfortunately the N. Y. Yankees are fully cognizant of less ability. Need I say more?" Will Wedge in the N. Y. Sun says, "Rolfe not only looks like a swell shortstop, but about the best the Yankees have tried in a decade or more." Quoting George Carens of the Boston Transcript, "It seems that a young New Englander (Rolfe) has blossomed out as the brightest rookie in the major leagues." Through all of this praise Red remains his same over-modest self. He stands 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs about 175 pounds. Acknowledging the comment of the exacting newspaper men it would seem that our own Red Rolfe was destined to make an outstanding name for himself.

New Hampshire Yankee in Big Leagues Robeit Red Rolfe of Penacook, N. H., and Dartmouth. '31 and two of his confreres on the New York Yankees, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.