Don Bessent
From BR Bullpen
Fred Donald Bessent (The Weasel)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 175 lb.
- Debut July 17, 1955
- Final Game September 27, 1958
- Born March 13, 1931 in Jacksonville, FL USA
- Died July 7, 1990 in Jacksonville, FL USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Don Bessent Was signed as a free agent before the 1950 season by the New York Yankees and proceeded to go 22-7 with a 2.23 ERA for the class D LaGrange Troupers. In 1951 Don was with the class B Norfolk Tars and went 11-2 with a 2.04 ERA.
The following season he was unable to pitch because of a spinal condition and the Yankees gave up on him. The condition was corrected by bone graft surgery and the Brooklyn Dodgers drafted him on December 2, 1952 in the minor league draft.
The right-hander proved to be an integral member of the Dodgers 1955 World Series Champions following his recall from St. Paul in July of that year. Used exclusively in relief he won three games in his first week in the majors and finished 8-1 in 24 games overall. In the World Series against the Yankees he didn't allow a run in three appearances out of the bullpen.
Don, whose ERA was the best on the Brooklyn staff in both 1955 and 1956 was the winning pitcher in game two of the Series. He entered the game in the third inning with the score tied 6-6 and held the Yankees to just two runs in the 13-8 victory.
Overall he posted a 1.35 ERA in five series games against New York in the two years. But a shoulder injury cut short his promising 14-7 career after he pitched just briefly for the Dodgers in their first season in Los Angeles in 1958.
Bessent spent twelve active seasons in pro ball from 1950 through 1962. His minor league stat sheet shows that he won 91 contests and lost only 62 for a .663 percentage. He appeared in 258 games, pitching 1,245 innings, giving up 1,206 base hits and 548 base on balls for a .397 ERA. His last tour of duty was in 1962 where he finished up with the IL Rochester Red Wings.
He returned to his native Jacksonville, FL, where he was a sales representative for the 7-Up Bottling Company. He died July 7, 1990, unexpectedly, at the age of 59 in Jacksonville.
[edit] Notable Achievement
- Won a World Series with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1955
[edit] Sources
Baseball-Reference.com
Baseball Players of the 1950s
SABR MILB Database:page
