ST. LOUIS–The St. Louis Cardinals on Friday morning announced the death of Major League Baseball Hall of Famer pitcher Bruce Sutter at the age of 69.
Sutter only pitched for the team from 1981 to 1984 but as a dominant closer, played a critical role in the turnaround of the club after he was acquired from the Cubs in a December 1980 trade by the Cardinals for Leon Durham, Ken Reitz and Ty Waller.
Sutter saved 36 games in 1982 and struck out Gorman Thomas of the Milwaukee Brewers for the final out of the World Series as the Cardinals won their first championship since 1967.
Sutter signed with the Atlanta Braves as a free agent after the saving a career-high 45 games in 1984 with St. Louis. He finished his career with 300 saves.
“On behalf of the Cardinals organization and baseball fans everywhere, I would like to express our deepest condolences to the Sutter family,” said Cardinals’ Principal Owner & Chief Executive Officer 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.”
Sutter was inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame in 2006. His uniform number 42, was retired by the club.
Sutter is survived by by his wife, Jamye, sons Josh, Chad and Ben; daughter-in-law Amanda Sutter, and his six grandchildren, the team said.
In a statement released on behalf of the family, Chad Sutter wrote:
Cardinal Nation,
All our father ever wanted to be remembered as was being a great teammate, but he was so much more than that. He was also a great husband to our mother for 50 yrs, he was a great father and grandfather and he was a great friend. His love and passion for the game of baseball can only be surpassed by his love and passion for his family.
Being a St Louis Cardinal was an honor he cherished deeply. To the Cardinals, his teammates and most importantly to the greatest fans in all of sports, we thank you for all of the love and support over the years. He will be greatly missed but his legacy will live on through his family and through Cardinal Nation!
The Sutter Family