Why is Bruce Sutter in the Hall of Fame?
Bruce Sutter was a famous pitcher. Bruce was born on January 8, 1953. On September 9, 1971, precisely 47 years ago today, a scout for the Chicago Cubs saw him pitch in the Lebanon Valley League and signed him. At the time, he was playing baseball in that league on a semi-professional level. On Thursday…
Bruce Sutter was a famous pitcher. Bruce was born on January 8, 1953. On September 9, 1971, precisely 47 years ago today, a scout for the Chicago Cubs saw him pitch in the Lebanon Valley League and signed him. At the time, he was playing baseball in that league on a semi-professional level.
On Thursday night, Bruce Sutter, a Hall of Fame closer and the pioneer of the split-fingered fastball, passed away at the age of 69. Recent tests revealed that Sutter had cancer, and he ultimately passed away while receiving hospice care in Cartersville, Georgia. Sutter had a 12-year career in which he pitched for the Chicago Cubs, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Atlanta Braves. He was named an All-Star six times and saved 300 games over the course of his career.
Why is Bruce Sutter in the Hall of Fame?
The Atlanta Braves were Sutter’s final team in the major leagues. In his career, he made 661 bullpen appearances with the Cubs, Cardinals, and Braves and finished with a record of 68-71 with a 2.83 earned run average and 300 saves. Bruce was in the hall of fame because:
- In an age when bullpen stoppers were highly regarded, Bruce was a dominant closer.
- Bruce accomplished the milestone of 300 career saves at a period when that figure was significant.
- Bruce Sutter was known to be a trailblazer, the most notable pitcher to employ the split-fingered fastball.
