Don Gullett

Don Gullett
Pitcher
Born: (1951-01-06) January 6, 1951
Lynn, Kentucky
Batted: Right Threw: Left
MLB debut
April 10, 1970, for the Cincinnati Reds
Last MLB appearance
July 9, 1978, for the New York Yankees
MLB statistics
Win–loss record 109–50
Earned run average 3.11
Strikeouts 921
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Donald Edward "Don" Gullett (born January 6, 1951) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Cincinnati Reds and New York Yankees from 1970 to 1978. He also served as pitching coach for the Cincinnati Reds from 1993 to 2005.

High school

Gullett attended McKell High School in South Shore, Kentucky where he was an outstanding three-sports athlete in baseball, football, and basketball. As a high school pitcher, he once tossed a perfect game—including striking out 20 of the 21 hitters he faced. Gullett excelled as a high school football player as well once scoring 72 points in a single game. He ran for 11 touchdowns and kicked 6 extra points. Don was named all state in three sports his senior year (baseball, football, basketball). Gullett's legacy is remembered in a memorial on the courthouse lawn in Greenup County, Kentucky that declares that "This is Don Gullett Country."

Professional career

The Reds selected Gullett in the first round of the 1969 Major League Baseball draft.[1] He pitched for the Sioux Falls Packers of the Northern League that season. He made his big league debut on April 10, 1970.[2]

Gullett played for the Reds from 1970 through the 1976 season. In November of that year, as a free agent, he signed with the New York Yankees.[3] He enjoyed a 14–4 season with the Yankees in 1977, but shoulder problems in 1978 signalled the end of his career.[4]

During a nine-year career, Gullett accumulated 109 wins and posted a 3.11 earned run average (ERA) and tallied 921 strikeouts.[5] Playing for only nine seasons, Gullett was a member of six World Series teams (1970, 72, 75, 76, 77, 78), including four consecutive World Champions ('75 and '76 Reds, and '77 and '78 Yankees).

At the plate, Gullett posted a career batting average of .194. In a 1975 National League Championship Series game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Gullett pitched a complete game and hit a single and home run, collecting 3 RBI.

Gullett was also sometimes used as a pinch runner by the Reds.

After sitting out the 1979 and 1980 seasons due to extensive shoulder and rotator cuff problems,[6] Gullett was released by the Yankees in late 1980.[7]

In 1989, Gullett played for the St. Lucie Legends of the Senior Professional Baseball Association.

In 1993, he rejoined the Reds as pitching coach, a post he held until being ousted mid-season in 2005.[8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Reading Eagle (Jun 6, 1969) California Outfielder Picked First in Draft Accessed 2010, May 1.
  2. ↑ The Deseret News (Apr 17, 1970) Gullet Relieves, Wins Baseball Debut Accessed 2010 May 1.
  3. ↑ Beaver Country Times (Nov 18, 1976) Gullet Yankees' Latest Millionaire Accessed 2010, May 1.
  4. ↑ Tri City Herald (Dec 2, 1797) $ugar Ray on top Accessed 2010 May 1.
  5. ↑ "Don Gullett Statistics and History | Baseball-Reference.com". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2016-01-11.
  6. ↑ Schenectady Gazette (Mar 14, 1979) Gullet 'Satisfied' With His Progress Accessed 2010 May 1.
  7. ↑ Palm Beach Post (Oct 25, 1980) Yankees Waive Gullett Accessed 2010 May 1.
  8. ↑ http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2091526

External links

Preceded by
Buzz Capra		 National League Player of the Month
July, 1974 		Succeeded by
Lou Brock
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