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Don Gullett, a hometown hero in Greenup County, Kentucky, and a baseball legend, left an unforgettable legacy. From winning championships to earning a spot in the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, Gullett's life was a tale of triumph. He passed away on February 14, 2024, at 73, but his impact lives on.
Born in Lynn, Kentucky, Gullett grew up on a tobacco farm, instilling in him a work ethic that fueled his athletic prowess. His sports journey started in eighth grade when he began practicing his pitches. His athletic career started to take off once he attended McKell High School. He joined three different sports teams: baseball, football, and basketball, and he found success in all three sports. As a pitcher, Gullett was known for one game where he tossed perfectly and striked out all but one hitter. As a football player, he is remembered to have scored 72 points in a single game. During his senior year, he earned all-state recognition in every sport.
Gullett began to be scouted before he even graduated high school. 1969 was a big year for 18-year-old Don. Not only did he marry his wife, but he was also selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the first round of the Major League Draft. He was picked number 14 overall. That season, he pitched for the Sioux Falls Packers of the Northern League. Don spent most of 1970 relieving, while only starting twice. However, he impressed the Reds in his spring training. Gullett debuted his skills on April 10, 1970, against the San Francisco Giants. The Cincinnati Reds ended up making it to the World Series that year where Gullett pitched 6 innings and allowed one earned run. Don became known as “Smokin’ Don” for his fiery fastball and his love for smoking cigarettes. Don became a starter in 1971. 1972 is when things began to go south for Don. He was diagnosed with hepatitis and lost his status of starter. However, that season was the only one in which Don had a losing record. In August of 1973, he surrendered the final career home run hit by Willie Mays. In July of ’74, Don won the National League Player of the Month Award. By Gullett’s 25th birthday, he had already won 91 games. Because of that fact, he was predicted to one day enter the Hall of Fame by the Hall of Fame manager, Sparky Anderson. In 1977, Gullett signed with the New York Yankees. On his fourth start with the team, he slipped and fell due to the rainy conditions. He suffered a sprained ankle and strained a muscle in his neck. While he had to wear a neck brace and miss a few starts, this injury did not hold him back. During his May 7th return game, he struck out 10 hitters and threw 154 pitches in one memorable game.
Gullett’s professional career ended at age 27 due to a rotator cuff tear. He ended his stellar career with 109 wins ad six World Series appearances. Despite retiring from professional baseball, baseball did not leave his life altogether. He played for the Saint Lucie Legends of the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989, when he was 38 years old. In 1993, he found his way back to the Reds, this time as a pitching coach. He held that position until he was fired in 2005. In 2002, he was finally inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, just as Sparky Anderson predicted.
There is a lot more to Gullett than just his phenomenal baseball career and athleticism. Gullett’s life was filled with love and success in every way. Him and his wife created a loving family and had 3 kids together: a son and two daughters. His son’s 11-year-old boy shows promise of being a talented player, just as his grandfather was.
On Kentucky Sports Memories, we celebrate legends like Don Gullett. Join us in our latest episode as we explore his roots, hear stories from high school teammates, and relive the timeless legacy of Gullett.
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