Hall of Fame pitcher Bruce Sutter, who is been known for having been the closer on the St. Louis Cardinals’ 1982 World Series Championship team, passed away on Thursday night at the age of 69.
Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on January 8, 1953, Sutter made his MLB debut for the Chicago Cubs in 1976 and won the NL Cy Young Award in 1979.
Prior to the 1981 season, Sutter was traded to St. Louis, where he would stay through the 1984 season.
In 1982, Sutter recorded the final out of the World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, prompting Cardinals broadcaster Jack Buck’s “That’s a winner” call.
On Twitter, several fans paid their respects to the late Hall of Famer.
RIP Bruce Sutter pic.twitter.com/3iGFLniGge
— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) October 14, 2022
Sutter’s Legendary Career
Sutter posted a 24 WAR, a 68-71 record, and a 2.83 ERA over his 12 seasons in the Major Leagues.
He was the first pitcher to never start a game during his career to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter has died at the age of 69. pic.twitter.com/ilgB7nJLgf
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) October 14, 2022
Sutter’s No. 42 is one of 14 numbers retired by the Cardinals.
He was often seen on the field during the ceremonies for Opening Day in St. Louis, where Cardinals Hall-of-Famers gather to meet the current players as they’re introduced before a raucous crowd at Busch Stadium.
He was also on hand for the Cards’ 40-year reunion of their 1982 World Series team back in August.
That team went 92-70 and won the NL East division.
Sutter saved 36 games during that season and racked up 300 saves over his storied 12-year career.
Hail and farewell, Bruce Sutter.
— John Thorn (@thorn_john) October 14, 2022
Sutter finished his career with the Atlanta Braves in 1988 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame back in 2006.
In addition to winning a championship in 1982 and a Cy Young in 1979, Sutter was a six-time All-Star and four-time Reliever of the Year Award winner.
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