Rollie Sheldon, a two-time World Series champion pitcher with the New York Yankees, has died at the age of 89. The Yankees organization announced his passing on Wednesday.
Sheldon died on Aug. 31 in Lee’s Summit, Mo. A cause of death was not provided. The Yankees issued a statement on social media expressing condolences to his family and loved ones.
Born in Putnam, Conn., Sheldon served in the United States Air Force before attending Texas A&M and UConn, where he played both baseball and basketball. He signed with the Yankees before the 1960 season. At the time of his signing, a scout believed Sheldon was 20, but he was actually 23. According to the Society for American Baseball Research, Sheldon did not correct the scout, fearing he would miss the opportunity to play professionally. He recalled asking his parents to sign for him, despite his childhood preference for the Boston Red Sox.
Sheldon made his major league debut with the Yankees in 1961, appearing in 35 games with an 11-5 record and a 3.60 ERA. That season, he recorded two shutouts, a career high.
He was a member of the Yankees teams that won consecutive World Series titles in 1961 and 1962. Although he did not pitch in either of those series, Sheldon did appear in the 1964 World Series, pitching 2 2/3 scoreless innings in a game where the Yankees lost to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Over his three-plus seasons with the Yankees, Sheldon compiled a 23-15 record with a 4.14 ERA and 202 strikeouts in 389 1/3 innings pitched.
Sheldon was traded to the Kansas City Athletics during the 1965 season and later ended his MLB career with the Red Sox in 1966. He continued to pitch in affiliated baseball through 1970.
An obituary noted that Sheldon held a special place in his heart for the Yankees and was grateful to manager Ralph Houk for fulfilling his dream of becoming a professional baseball player.