Frank Sullivan (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Franklin Leal Sullivan is a retired American
professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher
over parts of eleven seasons (1953–1963) with the Boston Red Sox
, Philadelphia Phillies
and Minnesota Twins
. He tied for the American League
lead in wins
in 1955 with Boston
. For his career, he compiled a 97-100 record in 351 appearances, with a 4.15 ERA and 959 strikeout
s.
Sullivan was named to the American League All-Star team in 1955 and 1956. He was elected to the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2008. Sullivan was one of the tallest pitchers of his time, at 6 in 6 in (1.98 m). After the season, the Red Sox traded him to the Phillies for another towering right-hander, 6 inch-Gene Conley
, enabling Conley to play Major League baseball and NBA basketball for two teams in the same city (as the backup to Bill Russell
of the Boston Celtics
).
In September 2008, Frank Sullivan published a memoir entitled "Life is More than 9 Innings."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
over parts of eleven seasons (1953–1963) with the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
and Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. He tied for the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
lead in wins
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
in 1955 with Boston
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. For his career, he compiled a 97-100 record in 351 appearances, with a 4.15 ERA and 959 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s.
Sullivan was named to the American League All-Star team in 1955 and 1956. He was elected to the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2008. Sullivan was one of the tallest pitchers of his time, at 6 in 6 in (1.98 m). After the season, the Red Sox traded him to the Phillies for another towering right-hander, 6 inch-Gene Conley
Gene Conley
Donald Eugene Conley is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played eleven seasons from to for four different teams. Conley also played forward in the 1952-1953 season and from 1958 to 1964 for two teams in the National Basketball Association...
, enabling Conley to play Major League baseball and NBA basketball for two teams in the same city (as the backup to Bill Russell
Bill Russell
William Felton "Bill" Russell is a retired American professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association...
of the Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
).
In September 2008, Frank Sullivan published a memoir entitled "Life is More than 9 Innings."