Tom Sturdivant

Born in Gordon in 1930 but raised in Oklahoma City, Tom Sturdivant made the conversion from minor league third baseman to World Series pitcher.

After 1948-50 in the low minors for the New York Yankees, Sturdivant spent two years in the U.S. Army.  During his time in the military, Sturdivant decided to focus on pitching.

Upon his discharge, Sturdivant returned to the Yankee organization, which supported his decision.  He progressed each year from AA Beaumont (TX) to AA Birmingham to AAA Kansas City.

In 1955, Sturdivant made his debut with the Yankees and appeared in relief in the World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers.

In 1956, he was 16-8 with a 3.30 earned run average and won Game 4 of the World Series against the Dodgers.  Game 5 would be won on Don Larson’s perfect game, as the Yankees went on to win the World Series.

In 1957, Sturdivant and the Yankees again won the World Series.  Sturdivant went 16-6 with a 2.54 ERA.

During the 1959 season, the Yankees traded Sturdivant to the Kansas City Athletics.  He pitched five more seasons with five teams, winning 59 games in his ten-year career.

Sturdivant died in 2009 at the age of 78.

For more, read Tom Sturdivant’s Society for American Baseball Research bio.