R-R. University of Connecticut grad burned up Class D New York-Penn League with 15-1 and 2.88 in 18 games, of which 15 were complete.
Single. Born in Putnam, Conn., resides in Woodstock, Conn.
Scouting Report: "One of best-looking prospects in league. Regardless of youth, still a player to watch. Has poise and know-how beyond his years."
-Baseball Digest, March 1961
"Rookies with less than three months of professional experience seldom make the major leagues in one jump, but that may be just what Rollie Sheldon will be doing this season. The 24-year-old from Woodstock, Connecticut, was signed by the Yankee organization last June after impressing as a pitcher at the University of Connecticut.
Sheldon, who spent two and a half years overseas in military service after high school graduation, entered Texas A & M, then transferred to Connecticut. When he was eligible in February 1960, he became a basketball standout, scoring 135 points in 10 games and sparking the Huskies to the Yankee Conference title. Signed by the Yanks, Sheldon became a standout at Auburn in the New York-Pennsylvania League, winding up with a 15-1 record and winning the Topps Player of the Month Award. This spring, the 6' 4" youngster gained further honors, being selected as the outstanding rookie in the Yankee camp.
Rollie appears to have a fine major league future which just might blossom in Yankee pinstripes this year."
-The New York Yankees Official 1961 Yearbook
"Rookies with less than three months of professional experience seldom make the major leagues in one jump. So when it happens on a championship club, it's news. Thus Roland Sheldon made news last spring.
A rookie with just 18 games of experience in Class D (Auburn, NY in the New York-Pennsylvania League), Rollie went to spring training for a 'look.' Manager Houk liked what he saw and decided on additional 'looks.' Now a full-fledged regular on Houk's youthful staff, the newest 'Connecticut Yankee' is working in regular rotation and had one of the lowest earned run averages in the American League at mid-season.
Sheldon was a baseball and basketball standout at the University of Connecticut. He scored 135 points in 10 games for the Huskies in the cage sport late last season. In his first pro season at Auburn, he posted a remarkable 15-1 record which earned him his shot with the Yankee varsity this year. He made the most of it."
-The New York Yankees Official 1961 Yearbook
Roland Frank Sheldon (P) #45
Born December 17, 1936 in Putnam, Connecticut, resides in Woodstock, Connecticut. Height: 6-4, weight: 185. Bats right, throws right.
-The New York Yankees Official 1961 Yearbook
"Roland Sheldon was signed off the campus of the University of Connecticut last year and compiled a fantastic 15-1 record with Auburn of the New York-Pennsylvania League. The 6'4" righty posted a 2.88 earned run average in 150 innings and fanned 127 batters while allowing only 56 batters to work him for free passes.
A bonus baby (reported signed for $50,000), Sheldon is still attending college and is presently a junior. The 185-pounder hails from the Nutmeg State and now resides in Woodstock.
Although he is probably two years away, the Yankees have one of the finest prospects in the game in Roland. The young hurler, who reached voting age last December, is a bachelor."
-New York Yankees 1961 Yearbook (Jay Publishing Co.)
"Probably the biggest surprise of the entire season was the quick 'arrival' of Roland Sheldon. Rookies with less than three months of professional experience seldom make the major leagues in one jump. So when it happens on a championship club, it's news. Thus Rollie made news last spring.
A rookie with just 18 games in Class D (Auburn, N.Y., in the New York-Pennsylvania League), Rollie went to spring training for a 'look.' Manager Houk liked what he saw and decided on additional 'looks.' He's now a full-fledged regular on Houk's youthful staff. His 11 victories this year were big ones.
The 24-year-old right-hander was signed by the Yankee organization last June after impressing as a pitcher at the University of Connecticut. Sheldon, who spent two and a half years overseas in military service after high school, became a baseball and basketball standout at the University of Connecticut. In his first pro season at Auburn, he posted a remarkable 15-1 record, earning him his shot with the Yankee varsity this year.
Sheldon is 6-4, 185-pounds and makes his home in Woodstock, Connecticut."
-1961 World Series Official Souvenir Program
