Bruce Sutter
Encyclopedia
Howard Bruce Sutter is a former Major League Baseball
right-handed relief pitcher
. He was arguably the first pitcher to make effective use of the splitter
.
One of the sport's dominant relievers in the late 1970s and early 1980s, he became the only pitcher to lead the National League
in saves
five times (1979–1982, 1984), and retired with 300 saves – at the time, the third highest total in history, behind Rollie Fingers
(341) and Rich "Goose" Gossage
(302), and an NL record until broken by Lee Smith in ; Sutter had set the NL record in with his 194th save, surpassing the mark held by Roy Face
. In his first nine seasons, only Kent Tekulve
made more appearances, and he saved 133 of the Chicago Cubs
' 379 wins between 1976 and 1980. In , Sutter won the NL's Cy Young Award
as the league's top pitcher. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 2006.
in the 21st round of the June draft, Sutter instead attended Old Dominion University
, and later signed with the Cubs as a free agent in September . He spent slightly over four seasons in the Cubs' farm system, and played on the 1975 Texas League
(AA) champion Midland Cubs. It was in the Cubs' farm system that Sutter was taught the split-finger fastball by minor league pitching instructor Fred Martin
. He joined the Chicago Cubs in May 1976, and after five seasons was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals
for Leon Durham
and Ken Reitz
in December , and then joined the Atlanta Braves
in December as a free agent
.
In 1979, Sutter saved 37 games for the Cubs, tying the NL record held by Clay Carroll
and Rollie Fingers . In addition to the Cy Young Award, Sutter also won both the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award and The Sporting News Fireman of the Year Award
in 1979, , 1982 and . He was a member of the Cardinals team which won the 1982 World Series
and is credited with two saves in that Series, including the Series-clinching save in Game 7 which ended with a strikeout
of Gorman Thomas and a leaping hug by catcher World Series MVP
Darrell Porter
; Sutter also earned the save in the pennant-clinching victory in the NLCS
.
In 1984, he tied Dan Quisenberry
's major league record, set the previous year, for most saves in a season (45), a record broken by Dave Righetti
(46) in ; Sutter's NL record was broken by Lee Smith (47) in .
Sutter was named to the NL's All-Star
team six times (1977–1981, 1984), appearing in the games of 1978 through 1981. He played a major role in all four contests, earning the win
in 1978 and 1979, and saves in 1980 and 1981.
On September 8, 1977, Sutter struck out three batters on nine pitches — Ellis Valentine
, Gary Carter
and Larry Parrish
— in the ninth inning of a 10-inning 3-2 win over the Montreal Expos. Sutter became the 12th National League pitcher and the 19th pitcher in Major League history to accomplish the nine-strike/three-strikeout half-inning
. Sutter had also struck out the side (though not on nine pitches) upon entering the game in the eighth inning, giving him six consecutive strikeouts, tying the NL record for a reliever.
He was momentarily the highest paid player in baseball, although he agreed to have his Atlanta contract configured so that he was paid $750,000 for six years with the rest going into an insurance fund that was to be structured to pay him $1,000,000 for 30 years.
Upon retirement, Sutter stayed near Atlanta with his wife and three sons. He has had three shoulder surgeries, three knee surgeries, an elbow operation, and two back operations.
His son Chad was a catcher who played for Tulane University
and was selected by the New York Yankees
in the 23rd round (711st overall) of the 1999 amateur draft.
On January 10, , Sutter was elected
to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his 13th year of eligibility by receiving 400 votes out of a possible 520, or 76.9%. He is the first pitcher who never started a game to be elected to the Hall, and with 1042 1/3 career innings pitched
he is also the first inductee to end his career with fewer than 1700 innings. Sutter's Hall of Fame plaque depicts him wearing a Cardinals cap and his trademark beard http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060730&content_id=1583812&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.
Not since Ralph Kiner
in had a player been elected to the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA so late in their eligibility period; Kiner was elected in his 15th and final opportunity.
Sutter's number 42, which he wore throughout his career, was retired by the St. Louis Cardinals
during a ceremony at Busch Stadium
on September 17, . He shares his retired number with Jackie Robinson
, whose number 42 had previously been retired by "all" Major League teams in 1997.http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060917&content_id=1668100&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl It is highly likely that the New York Yankees
will also retire the number 42 after their longtime closer Mariano Rivera
.
On August 23, 2010 it was announced that he would be a consultant for the Philadelphia Phillies minor league teams.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
right-handed relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
. He was arguably the first pitcher to make effective use of the splitter
Split-finger fastball
A split-finger fastball or splitter is a pitch in baseball. It is named after the technique of putting the index and middle finger on different sides of the ball, or "splitting" them. When thrown hard, it appears to be a fastball to the batter, but suddenly "drops off the table" towards home...
.
One of the sport's dominant relievers in the late 1970s and early 1980s, he became the only pitcher to lead the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
in saves
Save (sport)
In baseball, a save is credited to a pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team under certain prescribed circumstances. The number of saves, or percentage of save opportunities successfully converted, is an oft-cited statistic of relief pitchers...
five times (1979–1982, 1984), and retired with 300 saves – at the time, the third highest total in history, behind Rollie Fingers
Rollie Fingers
Roland Glen Fingers is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. During his 18-year baseball career, he pitched for the Oakland Athletics , San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers . He became only the second reliever to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992...
(341) and Rich "Goose" Gossage
Rich Gossage
Richard Michael "Goose" Gossage is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During a 22-year baseball career, he pitched from 1972-1994 for nine different teams, spending his best years with the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres. The nickname "Goose" is a play on his surname...
(302), and an NL record until broken by Lee Smith in ; Sutter had set the NL record in with his 194th save, surpassing the mark held by Roy Face
Roy Face
Elroy Leon Face is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During a 17-year baseball career, he pitched from 1953–1969, pitching primarily for the Pittsburgh Pirates...
. In his first nine seasons, only Kent Tekulve
Kent Tekulve
Kenton Charles Tekulve is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. During a 16-year baseball career, he pitched for three different teams, but spent most of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
made more appearances, and he saved 133 of the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
' 379 wins between 1976 and 1980. In , Sutter won the NL's Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
as the league's top pitcher. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown in 2006.
Career
Sutter graduated from Donegal High School. Sutter was a member of three different teams during his career from to . After being selected by the Washington SenatorsTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
in the 21st round of the June draft, Sutter instead attended Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University is a state university located in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
, and later signed with the Cubs as a free agent in September . He spent slightly over four seasons in the Cubs' farm system, and played on the 1975 Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
(AA) champion Midland Cubs. It was in the Cubs' farm system that Sutter was taught the split-finger fastball by minor league pitching instructor Fred Martin
Fred Martin (baseball)
Fred Turner Martin was an American pitcher, coach and scout in Major League Baseball. Born in Williams, Oklahoma, Martin threw and batted right-handed, stood 6'1" tall and weighed 185 pounds during his active playing career.Martin was one of a handful American Major League players who "jumped"...
. He joined the Chicago Cubs in May 1976, and after five seasons was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for Leon Durham
Leon Durham
Leon "Bull" Durham is a former first baseman and outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for 10 seasons. Durham played with the St. Louis Cardinals , Chicago Cubs , and Cincinnati Reds...
and Ken Reitz
Ken Reitz
Kenneth John Reitz is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball. A right-handed hitter, Reitz played for the St...
in December , and then joined the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
in December as a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
.
In 1979, Sutter saved 37 games for the Cubs, tying the NL record held by Clay Carroll
Clay Carroll
Clay Palmer Carroll is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball with a 15-year career from 1964 to 1978. He pitched for the Milwaukee Braves & Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, St...
and Rollie Fingers . In addition to the Cy Young Award, Sutter also won both the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award and The Sporting News Fireman of the Year Award
The Sporting News Reliever of the Year Award
The Sporting News Reliever of the Year Award was established in 1960 by The Sporting News as TSN Fireman of the Year Award. The award originally recognized the best closer from each league, but in 2001 the award was broadened to include all relievers...
in 1979, , 1982 and . He was a member of the Cardinals team which won the 1982 World Series
1982 World Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 12, 1982 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, MissouriThe Brewers' left-hander Mike Caldwell pitched a complete game shutout, allowing only three hits. The Brewers' offense was led by Paul Molitor, who had a World Series-record five hits and two RBIs...
and is credited with two saves in that Series, including the Series-clinching save in Game 7 which ended with a strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
of Gorman Thomas and a leaping hug by catcher World Series MVP
World Series MVP Award
The World Series Most Valuable Player Award is given to the player deemed to have the most impact on his team's performance in the World Series, which is the final round of the Major League Baseball postseason...
Darrell Porter
Darrell Porter
Darrell Ray Porter was a former American professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Milwaukee Brewers, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers. He was known for his excellent defensive skills and power hitting...
; Sutter also earned the save in the pennant-clinching victory in the NLCS
1982 National League Championship Series
The National League Championship Series was played between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Braves from October 6 to October 10.-Background:...
.
In 1984, he tied Dan Quisenberry
Dan Quisenberry
Dan Raymond "Quiz" Quisenberry was an American right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the Kansas City Royals...
's major league record, set the previous year, for most saves in a season (45), a record broken by Dave Righetti
Dave Righetti
David Allan Righetti is a former left-handed pitcher for various Major League Baseball teams, primarily the New York Yankees. He is currently the pitching coach for the San Francisco Giants and was the first player in history to both pitch a no-hitter and also lead the league in saves in his career...
(46) in ; Sutter's NL record was broken by Lee Smith (47) in .
Sutter was named to the NL's All-Star
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
team six times (1977–1981, 1984), appearing in the games of 1978 through 1981. He played a major role in all four contests, earning the win
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
in 1978 and 1979, and saves in 1980 and 1981.
On September 8, 1977, Sutter struck out three batters on nine pitches — Ellis Valentine
Ellis Valentine
Ellis Clarence Valentine is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball. He was drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1972; playing for the Expos, he was elected a National League All-Star in 1977 and received a Gold Glove Award in 1978...
, Gary Carter
Gary Carter
Gary Edmund Carter , nicknamed "Kid" and "Kid Carter", is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 19-year baseball career, mostly with the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets, Carter established himself as one of the premier catchers in the National League, winning three Gold...
and Larry Parrish
Larry Parrish
Larry Alton Parrish is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and right-handed batter who played with the Montreal Expos , Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox...
— in the ninth inning of a 10-inning 3-2 win over the Montreal Expos. Sutter became the 12th National League pitcher and the 19th pitcher in Major League history to accomplish the nine-strike/three-strikeout half-inning
Pitchers who struck out three batters on nine pitches
In Major League Baseball, 43 pitchers have thrown a nine-pitch, three-strikeout half-inning, throwing nothing but strikes...
. Sutter had also struck out the side (though not on nine pitches) upon entering the game in the eighth inning, giving him six consecutive strikeouts, tying the NL record for a reliever.
He was momentarily the highest paid player in baseball, although he agreed to have his Atlanta contract configured so that he was paid $750,000 for six years with the rest going into an insurance fund that was to be structured to pay him $1,000,000 for 30 years.
Upon retirement, Sutter stayed near Atlanta with his wife and three sons. He has had three shoulder surgeries, three knee surgeries, an elbow operation, and two back operations.
His son Chad was a catcher who played for Tulane University
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
and was selected by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in the 23rd round (711st overall) of the 1999 amateur draft.
On January 10, , Sutter was elected
Baseball Hall of Fame balloting, 2006
Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 2006 proceeded in keeping with rules enacted in 2001, augmented by a special election; the result was the largest class of inductees in the Hall's history, including the first woman elected. The Baseball Writers Association of America held an election to...
to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his 13th year of eligibility by receiving 400 votes out of a possible 520, or 76.9%. He is the first pitcher who never started a game to be elected to the Hall, and with 1042 1/3 career innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
he is also the first inductee to end his career with fewer than 1700 innings. Sutter's Hall of Fame plaque depicts him wearing a Cardinals cap and his trademark beard http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060730&content_id=1583812&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb.
Not since Ralph Kiner
Ralph Kiner
Ralph McPherran Kiner is an American former Major League Baseball player and has been an announcer for the New York Mets since the team's inception. Though injuries forced his retirement from active play after 10 seasons, Kiner's tremendous slugging outpaced nearly all of his National League...
in had a player been elected to the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA so late in their eligibility period; Kiner was elected in his 15th and final opportunity.
Sutter's number 42, which he wore throughout his career, was retired by the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
during a ceremony at Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium is the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, of MLB...
on September 17, . He shares his retired number with Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson
Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947...
, whose number 42 had previously been retired by "all" Major League teams in 1997.http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060917&content_id=1668100&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl It is highly likely that the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
will also retire the number 42 after their longtime closer Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera
Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian right-handed baseball pitcher who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. Nicknamed "Mo", Rivera has served as a relief pitcher for most of his career, and since 1997, he has been the Yankees' closer...
.
On August 23, 2010 it was announced that he would be a consultant for the Philadelphia Phillies minor league teams.
Quotes
- "What a pitcher! What a pitcher!" - Chicago Cubs TV broadcaster Jack BrickhouseJack BrickhouseJohn Beasley "Jack" Brickhouse was an American sportscaster. Known primarily for his play-by-play coverage of Chicago Cubs games on WGN-TV from 1948 to 1981, he received the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983...
, at the close of one of many Sutter saves as a Cub - "Three more saves and he ties John the Baptist." - Hank Greenwald
- "He was the Sandy KoufaxSandy KoufaxSanford "Sandy" Koufax is a former left-handed baseball pitcher who played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers...
of relievers." - former manager Whitey HerzogWhitey HerzogDorrel Norman Elvert "Whitey" Herzog is a former Major League Baseball manager. Born in New Athens, Illinois, he made his debut as a player in 1956 with the Washington Senators. After his playing career ended in 1963, Herzog went on to perform a variety of roles in Major League Baseball, including... - "I don't think people grasp how impressive it was for him to go two or three innings for a save. When you have to get six, seven or eight outs, so many things can go wrong for a closer." -- former teammate Tom HerrTom HerrThomas Mitchell Herr is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1979 to 1991 for the St. Louis Cardinals, Minnesota Twins, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, and New York Mets...
- "Without (the split-finger fastball), I would've been, at best, a Double-A player. If they told me it would hurt my arm if I threw it, I'd do it all over again." - Sutter
- "I remember going through the minor leagues with Mike KrukowMike KrukowMichael Edward "Mike" Krukow is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. He is currently a television color commentator for the San Francisco Giants.-Early life:...
. All we wanted was to pitch one day in the major leagues. Once we both did that, we both wanted to give up 100 home runs. If we gave up 100 home runs, we figured that we would have stuck around a while." - Sutter (However, Sutter only gave up 77 home runs) - "You never think that giving up two home runs to the same guy helped you get in the Hall of Fame. But ... that's what might have happened." - Sutter commenting on how TV replays just prior to the 2005 Hall of Fame induction of Ryne SandbergRyne SandbergRyne Dee Sandberg , nicknamed "Ryno" is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. During a 16-year baseball career, he played from 1981–1994 and 1996–97, spending nearly his entire career with the Chicago Cubs. He was named after relief pitcher Ryne Duren, and is recognized as one of the best...
showed the two national-televised Wrigley FieldWrigley FieldWrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
home runs he gave up on June 23, 1984. That was the year that Sutter created a new single-season save record while Sandberg was voted National League MVPMLB Most Valuable Player AwardThe Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award is an annual Major League Baseball award, given to one outstanding player in the American League and one in the National League. Since 1931, it has been awarded by the Baseball Writers Association of America...
.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball saves champions
- Pitchers who have struck out three batters on nine pitches
- List of Major League Baseball all-time saves leaders
- Major League Baseball titles leadersMajor League Baseball titles leadersAt the end of each Major League Baseball season, the league leaders of various statistical categories are announced. Leading the league in a particular category is referred to as a title....