Former All-Star hurler O'Dell dies at 85

Former left-handed pitcher Billy O'Dell, a two-time All-Star, died Wednesday in Newberry, S.C. He was 85. Clemson announced O'Dell's death on Thursday. He was a pitcher at the university before beginning his 13-year stint in the majors. No cause of death was announced. O'Dell went 105-100 with a 3.29 ERA from 1954-67. He missed the 1955 season for military service. He went directly from Clemson to the majors with the Baltimore Orioles in 1954 and made the American League All-Star team in 1958 and 1959. O'Dell was named MVP of the 1958 All-Star Game after retiring all nine batters he faced to earn the save. O'Dell was traded to the San Francisco Giants following the 1959 season and spent five seasons with the team. In 1962, he set career highs for victories (19), strikeouts (195), complete games (20) and innings pitched (280 2/3). O'Dell was traded to the Milwaukee Braves after the 1964 season and spent 1 1/2 seasons with the club, the second campaign being the franchise's first in Atlanta. He was dealt midway through the 1966 season to Pittsburgh and finished his career with the Pirates in 1967. --Field Level Media