Nov. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Herb Score, the Cleveland Indians pitcher who was American League Rookie of the Year in 1955 and went on to a career in broadcasting with the Major League Baseball club, died today. He was 75.

Score died at his home in Rocky River, Ohio, after a lengthy illness, the Indians said in a statement. He had been in failing health since an automobile accident in 1998, the team said in a news release.

Score, a left-hander from Rosedale, New York, struck out 245 batters in his rookie year, a record that stood until it was eclipsed by Dwight Gooden in 1984. He was a two-time All-Star selection, making the team in 1955 and 1956.

He was struck in the face by a line drive off the bat of the New York Yankees' Gil McDougald in May 1957, and didn't return to the Cleveland lineup until late 1958. He was traded to the Chicago White Sox for the 1960 season and pitched three years before his last game in May 1962.

``He would have been probably one of the greatest, if not the greatest, left-handed pitchers that ever lived,'' Bob Feller, whose Hall of Fame career was winding down as Score arrived in Cleveland in 1955, said in the statement. ``He'd probably have been better than (Sandy) Koufax.''

In 1964, Score rejoined the Indians as a television announcer, switching to radio in 1968. Score's last game in the broadcast booth was Game 7 of the 1997 World Series, which the Indians lost to the Florida Marlins.

Score is survived by his wife, the team said. Funeral arrangements have not been completed.

To contact the reporter on this story: Gene Laverty in Charlotte, North Carolina, at glaverty@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: November 11, 2008 12:08 EST