Arriving at Boston University in the fall of 1969, Roger met head football coach, Larry Naviaux and was given a choice. He elected to play baseball. After a 0-5 start, freshman coach, Stephen Pruskin led our squad to a 5-5 record. Teammates who went on to play varsity ball included Rick Bien, Brian Dougal, Danny Osmanski, Pete Reska, and George Scanlon.
As a sophomore, Roger helped BU defeat archrival BC twice, throwing complete nine inning wins. However, a loss to UConn was his most memorable college game.
Connecticut Edges Terriers in 11, 2-1
“The pitching was immense, Brian Herosian was more than matched by Terriers’ Roger Rogowski, an Oakville man, for eight innings. He limited Connecticut to a pair of harmless singles for eight innings and would have escaped in the ninth, but for a fielding lapse by his mates. Roger toiled 11 innings, fanning seven and walking four.” Bill Newell, Hartford Courant Sports Writer.
“Whenever the stakes were at their highest Roger was the one to get the call.” BU teammate, Bill Babcock
Roger went on to post a 2.10 ERA for the 1971 campaign, which helped him earn membership on the Greater Boston Collegiate League All-Star Baseball Team.
“I knew Roger to be a great control pitcher, very reliable starter and an excellent leader.” BU teammate, Jim Hart
1972 co-captains, Hohl and Rogowski with Coach Hughes
“As discouraged as Roger was at the discontinuation of a good sport, he proceeded to organize and develop the morale of a squad that was up against it from the first day the sport was dropped. He gained the confidence of all.” Coach John Hughes
“In the two years we played together, the word I didn’t have to think long to remember was ‘leader’.” BU teammate, Larry Levy
Despite battling a right shoulder injury in 1972, Roger demonstrated his leadership by contacting Florida coaches and setting up a southern trip. In order to help fund the trip, he secured raffle donations, had tickets printed, distributed them among teammates, raised over two thousand dollars, and got Assistant A.D., Charles Luce to gain support for the trip. Shortly after getting the trip approved, the administration terminated the baseball program.
“He worked very hard on the field and expected everyone else to follow suit.” BU teammate, Stan Goddard
- Roger has continued to keep the camaraderie alive with his BU teammates by organizing several reunions to this day.
- Staying engaged in sports for over forty-five years, Roger has played modified-fast pitch softball on a state, regional, and national level; umpired softball, officiated soccer, coached middle/high school baseball, and ran seven marathons including Boston four times.
- In 2005, Roger retired from teaching and moved to Arizona, where his love of baseball was revived.
- Learning about the Arizona Men’s Senior Baseball League that played games on Cactus League diamonds, Roger returned to baseball at age 55.
After attempting to pitch in 2006, Roger elected to have surgery to repair his rotator cuff.
For ten years, Roger has pitched in both 35 and 45 age divisions of the AZMSBL. He is a two-time all star and has helped his team win two division championships in 2014 and 2016.
“Roger is an exemplary upbeat member of all teams he plays on, clearly willing to sacrifice and do what’s best for the team, and a thesaurus of strategic ideas during our games.” AZ Cubs teammate, Eric VanSonnenberg
Before returning to Connecticut in June of 2022, Roger worked as a Golden Glover for the Arizona Diamondbacks, retrieving balls in foul territory at Chase Field. During Spring Training, he was a service agent at Salt River Field for the Colorado Rockies and a ticket taker at Hohokam Field for the Oakland Athletics. His favorite job was working as a groundskeeper for Grant Trenbeath at Chase Field.
Roger lives in Terryville, CT where he spends time with family, friends, and volunteering at St. Stanislaus Church in Bristol, CT.