Don Gullett, two-time World Series winner with Yankees, dies at 73: 'Best athlete and competitor I ever saw'

Former MLB pitcher Don Gullett, who won four consecutive World Series titles, including two with the Yankees, died at age 73.

Don Gullett, a former pitcher who achieved the rare feat of winning four consecutive World Series titles, including two with the Yankees, passed away at the age of 73. The National Baseball Hall of Fame announced his death, and the Yankees, with whom Gullett spent his final two seasons, mourned his loss. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Gullett, a left-handed pitcher, had a nine-season career in the MLB, primarily with the Cincinnati Reds during the "Big Red Machine" era. He finished with a 109-50 record, a 3.11 ERA, 11 saves, and 921 strikeouts in 1,390 innings.

Debuting with the Reds in 1970 at the age of 19, Gullett initially pitched out of the bullpen as a rookie before becoming a starter. He spent seven seasons with Cincinnati, finishing within the top seven of NL Cy Young voting twice and winning at least 15 games four times. Gullett pitched in four World Series with the Reds, winning titles in 1975 and 1976.

In the 1976 championship against the Yankees, Gullett allowed only one run over 7.1 innings to secure a win in his lone start in that World Series.

Johnny Bench, the Reds' Hall of Fame catcher, praised Gullett after his passing as the "best athlete and competitor I ever saw or played with." He will be missed," Bench wrote on social media.

Gullett joined the Yankees as a free agent before the 1977 season, pitching to a 14-4 record and a 3.58 ERA over 158.1 innings in his first season with the team. His .778 winning percentage led the American League. However, he struggled during the postseason, going 0-2 in his three starts, two of which came in the World Series against the Dodgers. Despite this, the Yankees won the title behind a strong pitching staff and a loaded lineup.

The Yankees repeated in 1978, but shoulder issues limited Gullett to only eight appearances in the regular season and prevented him from pitching in the playoffs. Gullett never pitched in another MLB game, and the Yankees officially released him in 1980.

The Reds inducted Gullett into their Hall of Fame in 2002. The Yankees expressed their condolences to Gullett's family, friends, and loved ones.

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