The most expereince and influential man in professional bassball.
Roland Hemond is among the most experienced and influential executives in professional baseball. His award-filled career, which began in 1951, has given him the opportunity to play instrumental roles in many aspects in the growth of the game of baseball throughout the globe.
During his respected career, Hemond has gained notoriety for his motivating and mentoring of rising colleagues as well as championing needed causes in the game and beyond the scope of baseball. Melding this background with his reputation as a fabulous storyteller, Hemond has become a popular, sought-after speaker, inside baseball as well as with corporations and charities.
A three-time Major League “Executive of the Year” Award recipient, Hemond began his career in 1951 with the Boston Braves organization. Under the tutelage of General Manager John Quinn and Farm/Scouting Director John Mullen, Hemond learned the motivational and administrative requirements necessary for making a championship organization, as the relocated Milwaukee Braves captured the 1957 World Series.
Hemond took the knowledge and applied it with the Los Angeles Angels in 1961. As Farm/Scouting Director, Hemond helped to build the expansion club from the ground up with Braves manager Fred Haney who was hired to be General Manager by Angel owner Gene Autry.
After nearly 10 years with the Angels, Hemond was hired by the Chicago White Sox as Director of Player Personnel/General Manager. During his 15 years with those duties, Hemond was honored as Major League Baseball “Executive of the Year” in 1972 and again in 1983. Through three ownership groups, including Bill Veeck as well as current owners Jerry Reinsdorf and Eddie Einhorn, Hemond hired such managing legends as Chuck Tanner and Bob Lemon as well as Tony LaRussa to his first minor league and Major League managing positions. Under Hemond’s leadership the White Sox franchise was saved from relocation and made the postseason for the first time in 34 years. This success made Hemond one of the most popular sports executives in the history of Chicago sports.
Hemond then moved on in 1986 to the Major League Baseball office in New York City. There he worked as Special Assistant to Commissioner Peter Ueberroth, spearheading a committee with Dr. Harry Edwards, Clifford Alexander, and Janet Hill on improving opportunities within the game for minorities.
In 1987 Hemond was hired as General Manager to rebuild the Baltimore Orioles. Again working through three ownership groups during eight years, Hemond won his unprecedented 3rd Major League Baseball Executive of the Year Award in 1989.
With experience in rebuilding organizations as well as with the expansion Los Angeles Angels, the Arizona Diamondbacks, under Jerry Colangelo, hired Hemond as Executive Vice President more than two years before their inaugural season to set the foundation of a championship organization. Working closely with General Manager Joe Garagiola, Jr. for five years, that goal was achieved with the Diamondbacks’ World Series Victory in 2001.
That same year Hemond rejoined the Chicago White Sox as Executive Advisor to newly-appointed General Manager Ken Williams. The White Sox also won the World Series in 2005 and Hemond continues to work for the White Sox as advisor and as ambassador for the game of baseball.
Location: AZ
Speaking Subjects:
Adversity
Inspiration
Leadership
Overcoming Obstacles
Sports
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