Al Holland, a former All-Star closer for the Philadelphia Phillies, died Saturday at the age of 73. The Phillies announced his passing on Monday, July 6, 2026.
Holland played for the Phillies for parts of three seasons from 1983 to 1985. He was a crucial member of the team that won the National League pennant in 1983. That year, he recorded 25 saves, a career high, and was named NL Relief Man of the Year. He also earned saves in the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers and in Game 1 of the World Series against the Orioles.
His performance in 1983 also led to top-ten finishes in Cy Young and National League MVP voting. Holland was selected to the All-Star team in 1984.
Beyond his time with the Phillies, Holland also played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, California Angels, and New York Yankees. With the Giants in 1980, he finished seventh in Rookie of the Year voting. He retired from baseball in 1987, accumulating a career record of 34-30 with a 2.98 ERA and 78 saves over 384 games.
Before his professional career, Holland had a notable collegiate career at North Carolina A&T. He led the nation with 143 strikeouts in his freshman season and maintained a 0.54 ERA. He threw no-hitters in each of his four seasons with the Aggies and recorded a 25-strikeout performance against North Carolina Central as a freshman. He was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015, as well as the North Carolina A&T Sports and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Halls of Fame.
North Carolina A&T chancellor James R. Martin II remembered Holland as "a big-league star, both on and off the field," and said he personified the Aggie spirit. Holland was from Roanoke, Virginia, and also excelled in football and basketball in high school.
Holland's son, Al Holland Jr., confirmed his father's death. He passed away in South Carolina surrounded by loved ones. He is survived by his wife, Mary, and their three children. No cause of death was announced.