Classic SI Photos of Rollie Fingers

The best closer of a very different time, Rollie Fingers threw more than one inning in 62 percent of his saves. Although he is best remembered for his neatly groomed handlebar mustache, the seven-time All-Star and 1974 World Series MVP with Oakland won both the AL Cy Young and MVP awards in 1981 with Milwaukee. That certainly helped him become just the second reliever ever elected to the Hall of Fame. In celebration of his 70th birthday on Aug. 25, 2016, we present these classic SI photos of Rollie Fingers.

Classic SI Photos of Rollie Fingers

Walter Iooss Jr

Rollie Fingers pitches during Game 5 of the World Series between the Oakland Athletics and Cincinnati Reds on Oct. 20, 1972 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, Calif.

Neil Leifer

Rollie Fingers pitches during Game 3 of the World Series between the Oakland Athletics and New York Mets on Oct. 16, 1973 at Shea Stadium in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

Neil Leifer

Rollie Fingers stands ready on the mound during Game 7 of the World Series between the Oakland Athletics and New York Mets on Oct. 21, 1973 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, Calif.

Neil Leifer

Rollie Fingers pitches during Game 7 of the World Series between the Oakland Athletics and New York Mets on Oct. 21, 1973 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, Calif.

Neil Leifer

Rollie Fingers pitches during Game 7 of the World Series between the Oakland Athletics and New York Mets on Oct. 21, 1973 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, Calif.

Neil Leifer

Oakland Athletics owner Charlie Finley poses in the locker room with players (clockwise from top left) Rollie Fingers, Joe Rudi, Vida Blue, Gene Tenace, Bert Campaneris, Jim Catfish Hunter, Sal Bando and Reggie Jackson during a photo shoot on Sept. 21, 1974 at Comiskey Park in Chicago.

Neil Leifer

Oakland Athletics pitchers Rollie Fingers and Jim Catfish Hunter pose together during a photo shoot on Sept. 21, 1974 at Comiskey Park in Chicago.

Walter Iooss Jr

Rollie Fingers pitches during Game 1 of the World Series between the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Dodgers on Oct. 12, 1974 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Heinz Kluetmeier

Rollie Fingers pitches during Game 4 of the World Series between the Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Dodgers on Oct. 16, 1974 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, Calif.

John Iacono

Rollie Fingers looks on during spring training for the San Diego Padres on March 6, 1977 in Phoenix, Ariz.

Richard Mackson

Rollie Fingers appears on the March 16, 1981 cover of Sports Illustrated.

Mel Levine

Rollie Fingers rides in the MLB All-Star Red Carpet Parade going up Sixth Avenue on July 15, 2008 in New York City.

Jed Jacobsohn

Rollie Fingers looks on during a game between the Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners on April 4, 2013 at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, Calif.

Tom Dahlin

Rollie Fingers pitches during the MLB All-Star legends and celebrity softball game on July 13, 2014 at the Target Field in Minneapolis, Minn.