Bruce Sutter (2006)


Date of Birth: 1/8/1953
Date of Death: 10/13/2022
Birthplace: Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Bruce Sutter was originally drafted in 1970 by the Washington Senators but he opted instead to go to college. A year later, in September, 1971, he signed with the Chicago Cubs.

Chicago Cubs

Sutter spent four seasons in the minor leagues before being called up in May, 1976. That season he pitched in 52 games for the Cubs, primarily as a reliever, and he had a 6-3 record with 10 saves, 73 strikeouts to 26 walks, and an ERA of 2.70 in 83.1 innings. He had a career low ERA of 1.34 in 1977. He finished the season with 7 wins and 3 losses, 31 saves, and a career high 129 strikeouts to 23 walks in 107.1 innings in 62 games.

In 1979, Sutter won the National League Cy Young award and the Rolaids Relief Man award, and he led the NL in saves. He pitched in 62 games and he had 6 wins and 6 losses, 37 saves, 110 strikeouts to 32 walks, and a 2.22 ERA in 101.1 innings. He led the National League in saves again in 1980. That year, he had 5 wins and 8 losses, 28 saves, 76 strikeouts to 34 walks, and a 2.64 ERA in 102.1 innings in 60 games.

St. Louis Cardinals

In December, 1980, Sutter was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. In his first season with the Cardinals, he won the Rolaids Relief Man award and he again led the NL in saves. He finished the strike shortened 1981 season with a 3-5 record, 25 saves, 57 strikeouts to 24 walks, and a 2.62 ERA in 82.1 innings in 48 games.

Sutter repeated his 1981 season in 1982, again winning the Rolaids Relief Man award and leading the NL in saves. He had 9 wins and 8 losses, 36 saves, 61 strikeouts to 34 walks, and a 2.90 ERA in 102.1 innings in 70 games. He also had a good postseason in 1982, and he won the Babe Ruth award. In 11.0 innings in 6 games, he gave up 6 hits and 4 earned runs. He had 2 wins and no losses, 3 saves, and an ERA of 3.27. He struck out 7 batters and walked 3.

Although Sutter had 21 saves in 1983, his ERA went up to 4.23. He came back strong the following season. He again won the Rolaids Relief Man award and he led the NL in saves in 1984. He had career highs in games played (71), innings pitched (122.2), and saves (45). He had a 1.54 ERA in 1984.

Atlanta Braves

Sutter became a free agent after the 1984 season and in December, he signed with the Atlanta Braves. He played with them in 1985, 1986, and 1988. In 1986, he played in just 16 games and he didn't play at all in 1987. He had a 4.48 ERA with 23 saves in 58 games in 1985, and in 1988, he had a 4.76 ERA with just 14 saves in 38 games.

Awards and MLB Records

  • NL Cy Young award
  • NL Rolaids Relief Man award (4 times)
  • Babe Ruth award
  • Led the NL in saves (5 times)

Career Statistics

Statistics for Sutter in 12 seasons (1976-1986, 1988) in the major leagues include:

  • 9 seasons with over 20 saves, with a high of 45 in 1984
  • 7 seasons with an ERA under 3.00, with a low of 1.34 in 1977

Career pitching statistics for Sutter include:

  • 661 games played
  • 1,042.1 innings pitched
  • 300 saves
  • 861 strikeouts to 309 walks
  • 2.83 ERA

Post Playing Career

Sutter retired in 1989. He remained out of professional baseball until August, 2010, when he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as a minor league consultant. His duties in that position included evaluating pitching prospects.

Sutter was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2006 on the thirteenth ballot with 76.9% of the vote.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Bruce Sutter
ESPN - Bruce Sutter
Baseball Reference - Bruce Sutter

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