MONTCLAIR, N.J. (AP) - Sam Dente, who played shortstop for five teams in nine major league seasons and was a member of Cleveland's 1954 American League championship squad, has died.

M.G. Denton, a spokeswoman for Mountainside Hospital, said Dente died there Sunday. He was 79. Dente broke into the majors with the Boston Red Sox in 1947, then spent a year with the St. Louis Browns. After three seasons with the Washington Senators and two with the Chicago White Sox, he moved to the Indians in 1954 and was a part-time player on the team that won 111 games.

His major league career ended with the Indians in 1955. He had a career batting average of .252.

Dente lived in West Caldwell, N.J., and is survived by his wife, Marie, a daughter, Patricia Porcello; a sister and three grandsons.

A funeral is scheduled for Thursday in Caldwell, N.J.