The St. Louis Cardinals announced on Friday that Hall of Fame closer Bruce Sutter had passed away at the age of 69. From 1976 through 1988, Sutter spent 12 seasons in the major leagues, including four with St. Louis, before becoming the first pitcher to be inducted into the Hall of Fame without ever having started a game.
“On behalf of the Cardinals organization and baseball fans everywhere, I would like to express our deepest condolences to the Sutter family,” Cardinals principal owner and CEO Bill DeWitt Jr. said in a statement. “Bruce was a fan-favorite during his years in St. Louis and in the years to follow, and he will always be remembered for his 1982 World Series clinching save and signature split-fingered pitch. He was a true pioneer in the game, changing the role of the late inning reliever.”
Before he perfected the split-finger fastball, Sutter was a pioneer who contributed to its widespread use. He was also the first genuine “modern” closer whose duties were restricted to saving circumstances. Herman Franks, the manager of the Chicago Cubs, began using Sutter in this manner very early in his career, and other clubs soon followed suit with their top relievers.
Sutter was initially selected by the Senators in the 21st round of the 1970 draft; however, he declined to sign with Washington and instead joined the Cubs as an undrafted free agent in September 1971. He made his Major League Baseball debut in May 1976 and quickly rose to the top of the relief ranks. The following year, Sutter was an All-Star, and in 1979, he and Chicago won the NL Cy Young.
In December 1980, the Cubs dealt Sutter to the rival Cardinals in exchange for three players. In his four years with the Cardinals, he closed out the 1982 World Series in St. Louis and three times in the Cy Young voting.
After agreeing to a four-year deal with 30 years of deferred compensation with the Atlanta Braves, he spent the final years of his career with them.
Sutter went to six All-Star Games, five Cy Young voting seasons, and five times led the league in saves. Additionally, he got MVP votes six times. Sutter’s 300 career saves were a National League record and the third-most all-time at the time of his retirement.
“I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Bruce Sutter, whose career was an incredible baseball success story,” commissioner Rob Manfred added in a statement. “Bruce ascended from being a nondrafted free agent to the heights of Baseball by pioneering the split-fingered fastball.
That pitch not only led him to the Major Leagues, but also made him a Cy Young Award winner with the Cubs and a World Series Champion with the 1982 Cardinals. Bruce was the first pitcher to reach the Hall of Fame without starting a game, and he was one of the key figures who foreshadowed how the use of relievers would evolve.”
“Bruce will be remembered as one of the best pitchers in the histories of two of our most historic franchises,” Manfred added. “On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my condolences to Bruce’s family, his friends and his fans in Chicago, St. Louis, Atlanta and throughout our game.”
Sutter was elected to the Hall of Fame after thirteen years on the ballot. He was the fourth reliever inducted and his plaque included a Cardinals cap, despite the fact that he spent more time and had more career appearances with the Cubs.
The 42nd jersey worn by Sutter with the Cardinals was retired in his honor in 2006. In honor of Jackie Robinson, the number was formally retired in 1997.
The six grandchildren of Sutter and Jayme, along with their three children, are all still living.
