The Man Who Saved Minor League Baseball In Modesto Returns

MODESTO (CBS13) – A Baseball Hall of Famer returned to his roots last night in Modesto.

Rollie Fingers pitched at John Therman Baseball Field more than four decades ago.  Tuesday night, he came back to the field for the first time in 45-years.

Fingers was part of a minor league team that played in Modesto back in 1966.  Also, on the team were future Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson and Joe Rudi.

It used to be pretty tough to fill the stadium back but when Fingers, Jackson and Rudi took the field, attendance went up dramatically.

They are credited with saving baseball in Modesto.

The owner of the Modesto Nuts says the stadium still benefits from fingers and his teammates.

Rollie Fingers threw out the first pitch at the packed game.