Albert Leonard "Al" Rosen was an American professional baseball player and executive, best known for his time as a third baseman with the Cleveland Indians in the Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on February 29, 1924, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Rosen's career spanned over four decades, during which he made significant contributions both on and off the field.

Rosen began his professional career with the Cleveland Indians in 1947. He quickly established himself as a formidable player, earning the nickname "Flip" for his exceptional skill in flipping the ball to the second baseman. Rosen's prowess at the plate was equally impressive. He led the American League in home runs twice, in 1950 and 1953, and in runs batted in twice, in 1952 and 1953.

Rosen's most successful season came in 1953 when he won the American League's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. That year, he led the league in runs scored, home runs, and runs batted in, narrowly missing the Triple Crown as he finished second in batting average. Rosen's .336 average, 43 home runs, and 145 runs batted in were all career highs.

Despite his individual success, Rosen's teams struggled to win championships. The Indians reached the World Series only once during his playing career, in 1954, but were swept by the New York Giants. Rosen retired after the 1956 season due to chronic back problems.

After his playing career, Rosen transitioned into baseball management. He served as the president and chief executive officer of the New York Yankees from 1978 to 1979, and later as the general manager of the Houston Astros from 1980 to 1985. Under his leadership, the Astros won their first division title in 1980.

Rosen's final role in baseball was as the president and general manager of the San Francisco Giants from 1985 to 1992. During his tenure, the Giants won their first division title in 16 years in 1987 and reached the World Series in 1989. Rosen was named the MLB Executive of the Year in 1987, becoming the first person to win both the MVP and Executive of the Year awards.

Rosen passed away on March 13, 2015, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most accomplished Jewish players in MLB history. He was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame in 2006. Despite his many achievements, Rosen remained humble, once stating, "I'm not a hero, I'm just a guy who had a wonderful time playing baseball."

⚾