Bruce Sutter

Howard Bruce Sutter (January 8, 1953 – October 13, 2022) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) between 1976 and 1988.

He was one of the sport's dominant relievers in the late 1970s and early 1980s, making effective use of the split-finger fastball.

After being selected by the Washington Senators in the 21st round of the 1970 MLB draft, Sutter instead attended Old Dominion University.

He dropped out of school and returned to Lancaster to play semi-professional baseball.

Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Sutter briefly attended Old Dominion University and was subsequently signed by the Chicago Cubs as an undrafted free agent in 1971.

He played five years for the Cubs, four for the St. Louis Cardinals, and three for the Atlanta Braves, serving as each team's closer during his tenure.

His usage in the eighth and ninth innings of games was partly responsible for ushering in a more specialized era for the closer role.

Ralph DiLullo, a scout for the Chicago Cubs, signed Sutter as a free agent in September 1971.

He pitched in two games for the Gulf Coast League Cubs in 1972.

When he was 19, Sutter had surgery on his arm to relieve a pinched nerve.

When he recovered from surgery and returned to the mound a year later, Sutter found that his previous pitches were no longer effective.

He learned the split-finger fastball from minor league pitching instructor Fred Martin.

Sutter's large hands helped him to use the pitch, which was a modification of the forkball.

Sutter had nearly been released by the Cubs, but found success with the new pitch.

Mike Krukow, who was also a Cubs minor league player at the time, said, "As soon as I saw him throw it, I knew he was going to the big leagues. Everyone wanted to throw it after he did."

He recorded a 3–3 win–loss record, a 4.13 earned run average (ERA), and five saves in 40 games in Class A baseball in 1973.

Sutter split the 1974 season between the Class A Key West Conchs and the Class AA Midland Cubs.

Though he finished the season with a combined 2–7 record, he recorded a 1.38 ERA in 65 innings.

He returned to Midland in 1975 and finished the year with a 5–7 record, a 2.15 ERA, and 13 saves.

Sutter led the team in ERA and saves as they won the Texas League West Division pennant.

He started the 1976 season with the Class AAA Wichita Aeros, but he pitched only seven games with the team before being promoted to the major leagues.

Sutter joined the Cubs in May 1976.

He pitched in 52 games and finished with a 6–3 win–loss record and 10 saves.

In 1977 he had a 1.34 ERA, earned an All-Star Game selection, and finished sixth and seventh in NL Cy Young Award and Most Valuable Player Award voting, respectively.

On September 8, 1977, Sutter struck out all three batters on nine total pitches in the ninth inning of a 10-inning 3–2 win over the Montreal Expos, becoming the 12th NL pitcher and the 19th pitcher in major-league history to achieve an immaculate inning.

Sutter had also struck out the side (although not on nine pitches) upon entering the game in the eighth inning, giving him six consecutive strikeouts, tying the NL record for a reliever.

Sutter's ERA increased to 3.19 in 1978, but he earned 27 saves.

Sutter won the National League's (NL) Cy Young Award in 1979 as its top pitcher, and won the NL Rolaids Relief Man Award four times.

He became the only pitcher to lead the NL in saves five times (1979–1982, 1984).

In the mid-1980s, Sutter began to experience shoulder problems, undergoing three surgeries before retiring in 1989.

A six-time All-Star and 1982 World Series champion, Sutter recorded a 2.83 career earned run average and 300 saves, the third-most in MLB history at the time of his retirement.

Sutter was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006, his 13th year of eligibility.

He was also honored by the Cardinals with the retirement of his uniform number 42 in 2006 and induction into the Cardinals Hall of Fame in 2014.

Sutter also served as a minor league consultant for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Sutter was born to Howard and Thelma Sutter in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

His father managed a Farm Bureau warehouse in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania.

Bruce was the fifth child of six.

Sutter graduated from Donegal High School in Mount Joy, where he played baseball, football, and basketball.

He was quarterback and captain of the football team and also served as captain for the basketball squad, which won a district championship in his senior season.

His baseball team also won the county championship.