Don Gullett
Born: January 6, 1951 in Lynn, Kentucky
| Drafted by Reds - June 5, 1969 |
Debut Game - April 10, 1970 |
Big Red Machine | Becomes Free Agent - November 1, 1976 | Signs with Yankees - |
| Final Game - July 9, 1978 |
Information taken from www.baseball-reference.com/g/gulledo01.shtml and www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/G/Gullett_Don.shtml
Hailed by Sparky Anderson as a sure Hal of Famer and the next Sandy Koufax, this Kentucky farm boy was a vital part of the the Big Red Machine in the early 1970's. The 19 year-old rookie flamethrower struck out six Mets in a row on August 23, 1970 (2nd game), tying a relief record, and Willie Stargell said Gullett "throws nothing but wall-to-wall heat." Moved into the rotation in 1971, Gullet went 16-6 (2.64) and led the NL in winning percentage (.727). He usually had a high winning percentage; from 1973 through 1976 he was 61-26. He was named to TSN's postseason all-star team in 1974.
Gullet signed with the Yankee's as a free agent for 1977 and went 14-4 to help New York to a World Championship, but it would be his last good season. Persistent shoulder problems, perhaps caused by his pitching motion, led to rotator cuff damage that ended his career.