Frank Sullivan – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Frank Sullivan wrapped up his baseball career in 1963 when the Minnesota Twins let him go after eleven seasons in Major League Baseball. The tall right-handed pitcher, known as “The Boston Skyscraper,” finished up with a 97-100 record and 959 strikeouts in 351 games for the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and Minnesota Twins.

At 6 feet 7 inches, Sullivan stood out as one of the tallest pitchers of his time. He became a key figure in Red Sox history during the 1950s.

His career ran from 1953 to 1963. He picked up two All-Star selections and snagged 90 wins for Boston alone.

Sullivan started out as a homesick minor leaguer and grew into a respected major league pitcher. He served in the Korean War and even landed on a Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post cover.

If you look at Sullivan’s story, you’ll see his climb from the California minors to Fenway Park, his best years with the Red Sox, and his last seasons with Philadelphia and Minnesota. He went from combat as a staff sergeant to post-retirement adventures in Hawaii.

Sullivan’s journey goes far beyond the baseball field and gives you a glimpse into the sport during the 1950s and early 1960s.

Early Life and Background

Frank Sullivan grew up in Depression-era California. His dad encouraged his love for sports, which eventually led to a basketball scholarship offer from Stanford.

His baseball career only began after he finished his military service in Korea, where he served as a combat infantryman and earned the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Childhood in California

Franklin Leal Sullivan was born on January 23, 1930, in Hollywood, California. He grew up in Burbank during the Great Depression.

His father, Leal Earl Sullivan, worked as a machine operator and ran his own contracting business for a cannery in Glendale. Even during tough times, his dad kept working and really pushed Frank toward athletics.

Frank’s mother, Olive L. Franklin, was born in Albuquerque back when it was still the New Mexico Territory. Frank also had an older sister, Carol.

His dad had some athletic chops himself and wanted Frank to get involved in sports. “I remember one time I got a job at a service station and he showed up there and said, ‘Go play ball,'” Sullivan said. “He didn’t want me working.”

Frank called himself “a big kid, but I was coordinated, so I did well.” His dad’s encouragement made a huge difference in his athletic life.

Military Service and Impact

Sullivan put his professional baseball career on hold after the 1950 season to serve in the Korean War. He spent two years in the Army from 1950 to 1952.

He spent about four and a half months on the front lines in combat. That experience stuck with him for the rest of his life.

He earned the Combat Infantryman Badge for his service. The Army discharged him in 1952 with the rank of staff sergeant.

Military service delayed his baseball progress, but it gave him some serious life experience. He came back to pro baseball in 1953, carrying a new sense of maturity that helped him in the big leagues.

Early Athletic Pursuits

As a teen, Frank played both baseball and basketball—and, as he admitted, “chased pretty girls.” Basketball was actually his first love, while baseball was more of a side thing.

He landed a basketball scholarship offer from Stanford University. Frank almost took it, but baseball got in the way.

Red Sox scout Jack Corbett spotted Sullivan while he was pitching American Legion ball. Funny enough, Corbett had shown up to scout another left-handed pitcher named Frank Sullivan.

In 1948, Sullivan flew out to Boston for a tryout at Fenway Park. He stayed at the Somerset Hotel in Kenmore Square and met Red Sox pitchers Mickey McDermott and Chuck Stobbs.

One moment stuck with him—McDermott took him to an Arrow shirt store downtown, bought a dozen shirts, put on a new one, and just left his old shirt behind. “That’s when I made the decision to sign a pro baseball contract if it was offered,” Sullivan said.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Frank Sullivan pitched in the majors for eleven seasons from 1953 to 1963. He became a reliable starter, mostly with the Boston Red Sox.

He played for three American League teams and racked up 97 wins and 100 losses with a 3.60 ERA.

Debut and Early Years

Sullivan made his big league debut on July 31, 1953, against the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park. He came into the game in the fifth inning as a reliever.

He threw two scoreless innings, didn’t allow a hit, walked one, and struck out one batter.

His first major league win came on September 13, 1953, in relief against the Chicago White Sox. Sullivan lost the lead in the eighth, but Boston rallied for two runs in the bottom half, making him the winning pitcher.

In 1954, Sullivan broke through as a starter. He went 15-12 for a Red Sox team that only won 69 games all year. His .556 winning percentage stood out on a team that finished at .448.

He got his first All-Star nod in 1955. That year, he led the American League in games started and innings pitched.

His 18 wins tied for the league lead and topped the Red Sox staff for the second year in a row.

Teams Played For

Sullivan spent most of his career with the Boston Red Sox from 1953 to 1960. He won 90 games in Boston and earned two All-Star selections.

He still ranks among the top 20 Red Sox pitchers in eight key career categories.

The Red Sox put Sullivan in their Hall of Fame in November 2008. By 2009, his win total with Boston was 15th in club history.

In 1961, Sullivan landed with the Philadelphia Phillies for two seasons. He witnessed one of baseball’s worst losing streaks in 1961, as the Phillies dropped 23 straight games.

He wrapped up his career with the Minnesota Twins in 1963. After joining the Twins in 1962, he went 4-1 in 20 appearances.

The Twins released him on June 19, 1963, and that was the end of his pro baseball run.

Transition to Retirement

Sullivan had a short stint with the Twins in 1963. The team released him in June, which closed out his eleven-year major league run.

He had to figure out life after baseball at age 33. “It’s a big adjustment for a player when his career ends,” Sullivan admitted.

After retiring, he moved to Kauai in Hawaii with former Red Sox teammate Sammy White.

He finished with 97 wins, 100 losses, and 959 strikeouts in 351 games. His 3.60 ERA showed he was a solid performer in an era when pitchers finished more games and threw more innings than they do now.

He’d never even visited Kauai before making it home. That move was a big leap from his baseball days and really showed the adventurous side he brought to both his career and life after baseball.

Career Highlights with the Boston Red Sox

Frank Sullivan spent eight years with the Boston Red Sox and became one of the club’s most dependable pitchers in the 1950s.

His 90 wins with the Red Sox put him 15th in franchise history as of 2009. He picked up two All-Star selections and delivered steady work as a starter.

Notable Seasons

Sullivan’s breakout 1954 season was a turning point for him and the team. The Red Sox only won 69 games, but Sullivan went 15-12.

His .556 winning percentage really stood out on a team that finished at .448.

That year, he led the Red Sox staff in ERA, innings pitched, complete games, and strikeouts, plus he had the most wins.

His best season came in 1955, when he tied for the American League lead with 18 wins. He led the AL in games started and innings pitched, too.

His 2.91 ERA ranked fifth-best in the league and led the Red Sox for the second year running.

In 1956, Sullivan showed his consistency with a .667 winning percentage. He notched 14 wins and a 3.42 ERA, again leading Boston pitchers. He also started 33 games, more than anyone else on the staff.

All-Star Selections

Sullivan made the American League All-Star team in both 1955 and 1956. He earned his first All-Star spot thanks to a strong start in 1955.

The 1955 All-Star Game in Milwaukee stands out—Sullivan came in during the eighth inning to stop a National League rally and pitched four innings, covering the eighth through the eleventh.

He faced some of the game’s biggest names, like Stan Musial, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron. “I was pitching to guys like Musial, Mays, and Aaron, but I managed to hold them,” Sullivan said.

The game finally ended when Musial homered off Sullivan in the twelfth.

He got his second All-Star nod in 1956, though he didn’t pitch in that one.

Role in the Starting Rotation

After Mel Parnell’s injury in April 1954, Sullivan moved from reliever to starter. Mickey McDermott broke Parnell’s wrist with a wild pitch, and Sullivan stepped up.

The 6-foot-7 pitcher, “The Boston Skyscraper,” became a workhorse for the Red Sox. His height helped, especially with his signature sidearm delivery.

Sullivan always credited catcher Sammy White for much of his success. “Sam was my first roommate with the Red Sox and we were so attuned that Sam would only give me signs for the first three innings of a game,” Sullivan said.

Their partnership became almost legendary within the organization.

He used his slider as his main out pitch, surprising hitters who expected fastballs. Sullivan’s knack for throwing strikes made him valuable to Red Sox managers throughout his time in Boston.

Key Statistics and Performance Metrics

Frank Sullivan’s 11-year career gave him a record of 97 wins and 100 losses, a 3.60 ERA, and 959 strikeouts across 1,732 innings. His advanced stats show a WAR of 23.0, which means he brought solid value during his time in the majors.

Wins and Losses

Sullivan finished with 97 wins and 100 losses, for a .492 winning percentage. His top season was 1955, when he led the American League with 18 wins for Boston.

He hit a rough patch in 1960, posting a 6-16 record and a 5.10 ERA in his last year with the Red Sox.

His win-loss record really reflects how tough his era was. He pitched for teams that didn’t always give him much run support, especially later on with Philadelphia and Minnesota.

Strikeouts and Innings Pitched

Sullivan racked up 959 strikeouts over 1,732 innings in his 11-year career. His strikeout rate averaged 5.0 per nine innings, which was decent for the 1950s and early ‘60s.

He was at his busiest in 1955, when he threw 260 innings. That year, he started 35 games and completed 16, showing the kind of durability teams expected from starters back then.

His innings total shows just how much of a workhorse he was, especially during his Boston years. He topped 200 innings in four seasons between 1954 and 1957.

Earned Run Average and WHIP

Sullivan kept a career ERA of 3.60 with a WHIP of 1.305 during his time in the majors. His best ERA came in 1957, when he posted a 2.73 mark over 240.2 innings.

His WHIP hit its lowest at 1.055 in 1957—his most dominant statistical year. That season, he walked just 48 batters in 240.2 innings, showing off his control.

His ERA+ of 116 means he was 16% better than the average pitcher of his era. That stat takes ballpark factors and league offense into account.

WAR and Other Advanced Stats

Sullivan put together a career WAR of 23.0, which puts him firmly among the solid major league contributors of his generation.

He hit his peak in 1957, posting a 6.4 WAR that year.

His FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) sat at 3.53, almost the same as his ERA. That suggests Sullivan’s results matched his underlying performance.

So, he didn’t really benefit from great or terrible defensive support—he just pitched to his numbers.

Sullivan’s strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1.72 shows he had decent control for that era.

Modern sabermetrics show he consistently gave value as a middle-of-the-rotation starter for most of his career.

Later Career with the Phillies and Twins

After seven seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Frank Sullivan moved on to two struggling franchises. He experienced both the lowest point in baseball history and the final chapter of his major league journey.

Transition to the Philadelphia Phillies

Sullivan joined the Philadelphia Phillies in 1961. He landed right in the middle of one of baseball’s most infamous losing streaks.

That team struggled all season, scraping together only 47 wins while losing 107 games.

“I shudder whenever I think of that team,” Sullivan said from his home in Hawaii.

The Phillies had already dropped 11 straight games when Sullivan arrived.

Then came the collapse. After winning one game to stop the streak, the Phillies lost 22 in a row, setting a record for futility.

Sullivan saw the whole thing up close.

“That one win broke up an amazing losing streak,” he remembered. The 1961 Phillies finished with a .329 winning percentage, one of the lowest in modern baseball.

Sullivan pitched in 32 games for Philadelphia that year. He returned in 1962, making 20 appearances before the team traded him mid-season.

Final Years with the Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins picked up Sullivan during the 1962 season, which gave the veteran pitcher a fresh start.

The change of scenery helped the 32-year-old right-hander.

Sullivan bounced back with his new team, putting together a 4-1 record in 20 appearances for the rest of 1962.

The Twins offered a much more stable environment than the chaotic Phillies.

“He was one of the best managers I ever had,” Sullivan said, reflecting on his time with Minnesota’s leadership.

That supportive atmosphere probably helped him squeeze out another season.

Sullivan stayed with the Twins into 1963, which turned out to be his final year in professional baseball.

But age and declining performance eventually caught up with him.

Retirement in 1963

On June 19, 1963, the Minnesota Twins released Frank Sullivan, ending his 11-year major league career.

That decision closed out a journey that started back in 1953 with the Boston Red Sox.

Sullivan wrapped up his career with a 97-100 record across 351 games.

He notched 959 strikeouts and kept a 3.60 ERA over his 11 seasons in the majors.

“It’s a big adjustment for a player when his career ends,” Sullivan reflected, thinking back on his transition from professional baseball.

At 33, he faced the challenge of figuring out life after baseball.

He eventually moved to Kauai, Hawaii, with his longtime Red Sox teammate Sammy White.

Sullivan had never even visited the island before making it his permanent home.

His last season’s stats showed the effects of time, but Sullivan’s contributions to three franchises over more than a decade secured his place in baseball history.

Legacy, Honors, and Post-Retirement Life

Frank Sullivan left behind a strong record with the Boston Red Sox and built a unique post-baseball life in Hawaii.

His 90 wins with Boston put him among the franchise’s notable pitchers, and his adventurous nature led him to some unexpected places after hanging up his cleats.

Recognition in Baseball History

Frank Sullivan’s baseball legacy really centers on his years with the Boston Red Sox from 1953 to 1960.

His 90 career wins with the team ranked 15th in Red Sox history as of 2009.

The towering 6-foot-7 pitcher earned two American League All-Star selections in 1955 and 1956.

His 1955 season was especially memorable—he led the American League in wins with 18.

Sullivan’s uniform number 18 became part of Red Sox history, later worn by pitchers like Jason Johnson and Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Writers called him the “Boston Skyscraper” because of his height.

Career Highlights:

• 90 wins with Boston Red Sox
• 2x All-Star (1955, 1956)
• Led AL in wins (18) in 1955
• 15th all-time in Red Sox wins (as of 2009)

One of Sullivan’s most famous moments outside the game came from a Norman Rockwell painting.

He, along with teammates Sammy White and Jackie Jensen, posed for what became a Saturday Evening Post cover called “The Rookie” in 1956.

Personal Life After Baseball

After the Twins released him in June 1963, Sullivan started a whole new chapter.

He moved to Kauai, Hawaii with former Red Sox catcher and close friend Sammy White, even though he’d never been to the island before.

Sullivan settled in Lihue, Kauai, where he lived for decades.

The move marked a complete break from his baseball life and East Coast roots.

He kept his adventurous streak going in retirement, traveling all over the globe and even playing golf at the famous Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland.

Sullivan stayed connected to baseball history by attending museum events.

He and his wife Marilyn traveled from Kauai to take part in celebrations of the Norman Rockwell painting that featured him.

In his later years, Sullivan finally watched his first major league game as a fan in over 40 years, showing just how much baseball still meant to him.

Influence on Future Generations

Sullivan left a real mark on baseball, not just with his stats but with those memorable quotes and stories that really captured the vibe of his era.

He loved talking about the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies’ infamous 23-game losing streak. Those recollections brought some real color to baseball history.

Sullivan and catcher Sammy White had a partnership that Red Sox fans still talk about. He always gave White a lot of credit for his success, saying their connection worked so well that they only needed signs for the first three innings.

When Sullivan talked about his All-Star Game experiences, you could tell he cherished those moments. Facing legends like Stan Musial, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron gave him stories that baseball fans have enjoyed for decades.

His story about Yogi Berra giving him some late advice—Musial being a “high fastball hitter”—almost feels like something out of a movie. That tale stuck around as a piece of baseball folklore.

Sullivan’s lasting contributions:

• Mentoring younger players through storytelling
• Offering a unique perspective on 1950s baseball
• Leaving a cultural mark through Norman Rockwell’s artwork
• Bridging the gap between different baseball generations

After retirement, Sullivan and Sammy White traveled around New England for speaking engagements. They brought Red Sox history to life for fans during those long offseasons.