Roland Frank Sheldon

Roland was born on December 17, 1936, in Woodstock, CT to Frank and Elsie Sheldon. He was raised and educated in Woodstock. Following graduation, he and three classmates enlisted in the United States Air Force where a late maturation process resulted in an additional six inches of height and fifty pounds in weight. At a newly amassed stature of six-four, 185 pounds, he played at the Base level basketball and baseball while serving in Germany. Following an honorable discharge in the fall of 1958, he attended and played freshman basketball at Texas A&M. After a semester of studies, he transferred to the University of Connecticut. By transfer rule, he had to lay out (not eligible) for a year. In February 1960, he played 10 games of varsity basketball and then a schedule of baseball games for UConn. In June of that year, he signed a professional contract with the New York Yankees and was assign to Class D in Albany, where his record as a pitcher was 15 and 1. He was invited to early Spring Training in 1961 and was a member of the New York Yankees until 1965, helping them win 2 World Series in 1961 and 1962. He then played with the Kansas City Athletics and the Boston Red Sox. He joined Allstate Insurance Corporation in 1970 and retired in 1992. His first marriage to Wanda McConnell in 1962 brought into the world two daughters, Ronda Lynn and Lori Ann. They divorced after 18 years of marriage. He later met and married Shirley Ann Denton Brants. She brought two sons, Cliff and David Brants into the family. Roland enjoyed fishing and playing golf. Roland is preceded in death by his mother Elsie and her two brothers Ray and Stanley; his father Frank and his thirteen siblings, his first wife Wanda Holland (Van), and sister-in-law Jimmie Davis. Survivors include wife Shirley Ann Denton Brants, sister Carol Swanberg (Sigurd), daughter Ronda Sheldon, daughter Lori Setley (Scott), granddaughters Sierra and Savannah Setley, sons Cliff Brants (Patty), David Brants and grandson Drew Brants, niece Karen Swanberg, niece Donna Messier (Mike)and daughter Becky, niece Terry Randel, niece Angela Rank (Mike)and son Spencer. Roland has a special place in his heart and is so grateful to Manager Ralph Houk for believing in him and making his dream come true in 1961 of becoming a professional baseball player for the New York Yankees.