– Don Gullett, World Series champion
– Don Gullett, Reds and Yankees player.
Don Gullett, Former MLB Pitcher, Passes Away at 73
Don Gullett, a left-handed pitcher who played in the MLB for nine seasons, sadly passed away on Wednesday at the age of 73. Gullett had a successful career, primarily playing for the Cincinnati Reds and later finishing with the New York Yankees.
A Stellar Career on the Mound
During his time in the big leagues, Gullett made 266 appearances and had an impressive career ERA of 3.11 (113 ERA+). He also had a remarkable strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1.84. Gullett’s contributions to the game were valued at 18 Wins Above Replacement, according to Baseball Reference.
Gullett’s talent earned him recognition, and he received Cy Young Award consideration in both 1974 and 1975. He was fortunate enough to be part of three World Series-winning teams: the 1975 and 1976 Reds and the 1977 Yankees. He also had the opportunity to play in the World Series with the 1970 and 1972 Reds. Throughout his playoff career, Gullett maintained a 3.77 ERA in 20 appearances and 13 starts.
A Career Cut Short by Health Issues
Despite his promising career and being hailed as a future Hall of Famer by manager Sparky Anderson, Gullett faced numerous health issues that ultimately ended his time on the mound. In the early 1970s, he battled hepatitis, and later underwent shoulder surgery to repair a double tear in his rotator cuff. Sadly, Gullett would never pitch again.
As SABR’s biography of Gullett notes, Anderson’s projection of Gullett as a future Hall of Famer was not unfounded:
“The three best left-handed pitchers of the previous generation—Warren Spahn, Whitey Ford, and Sandy Koufax—were all inducted into the Hall of Fame. When Gullett celebrated his 25th birthday in 1976, he had already won 91 games—many more than Spahn (8), Ford (43), and Koufax (53) had won by that age.”
Contributions Beyond the Field
After retiring from professional baseball, Gullett dedicated his time to his farm and later served the Cincinnati Reds in various roles as a coach and instructor. He even held the position of the big-league pitching coach for over a decade, from 1993 to 2005.
Reds CEO Bob Castellini paid tribute to Gullett, saying, “Don dedicated 24 years to this franchise as a player, coach, and minor league instructor. An anchor on the pitching staff of one of the greatest baseball teams in history, his contributions to our rich tradition, our city, and his community will never be forgotten.”
In recognition of his achievements, Gullett was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 2002.
While the cause of Gullett’s death has not been disclosed, his legacy as a talented pitcher and dedicated member of the baseball community will live on. He leaves behind a lasting impact on the game and will be remembered fondly by fans and colleagues alike.
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1. Don Gullett, World Series champion with Reds and Yankees, dies at 73
2. Don Gullett, Reds and Yankees World Series champion, passes away at 73.
