Former MLB Pitcher Don Gullett Dies at Age 73, Won 3 World Series with Reds, Yankees

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Don Gullett, who played for both the Cincinnati Reds and New York Yankees, died Wednesday. He was 73.

"Don dedicated 24 years to this franchise as a player, coach and minor league instructor," Reds CEO Bob Castellini said in a statement. "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."

Gullett was selected by the Reds in the first round of the 1969 draft out of McKell High School in South Shore, Kentucky.

The left-hander debuted in 1970 and spent seven seasons in Cincinnati from 1970 to 1976. In 236 games (156 starts) for the Reds, he posted a 91-44 record, 3.03 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 777 strikeouts in 1,187 innings.

Gullett signed with the Yankees ahead of the 1977 season and made only eight starts during the 1978 campaign before a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder put an end to his career.

In 30 starts for the Yankees between 1977 and 1978, Gullett posted an 18-6 record, 3.59 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 144 strikeouts in 203 innings.

Between the Reds and Yankees, Gullett pitched in six league championship series and four World Series. He won three straight World Series titles from 1975 to '77, two of which came with Cincinnati.

After his playing career ended, Gullett returned to the Reds as a coach in 1990. He was the franchise's pitching coach from 1993 to 2005.

Gullett was elected to the Reds Hall of Fame in 2002.