Bruce Sutter Forum

Mr. Sutter passed yesterday. He was the first great reliever I followed as a Cubs fan. His stats might not wow certain people, but he helped change the game with the split-fingered fastball. And he and a few others raised the profile and use of relievers. He was dominant for years, finishing his career third on the save list (obviously much lower now). On the flip side, he was the featured pitcher in the "Sandberg game." 
Thanks for the memories, Sir. 
Rest In Peace. 
v3

When I first started really getting into baseball, it was Sutter and Tekulve as the "closers" that I saw a lot (especially watching Phillies games). Sutter is a HOFer, and deservedly so. RIP.

I think he got the final out of the 82 ws with the Cardinals if I remember correctly. 

Mark 

I just read that Jason Motte, Cardinals closer in 2011, named his son Sutter in honor of his mentor. 

Mark

Yup.

One of my favorite "dumb sports radio host opinion" of all-time was a NYC based host saying he'd want a highly touted pitcher about to make his debut in the majors to be a starter right away.  

Reasoning was that at that point NO relievers in the Hall, including future HOFers like Mariano Rivera, were pure relievers.  Yes.  The point was that it was "harder to make the Hall of Fame if you aren't a starter right away."

And no, I'd imagine the guy did not sort through the stats of every HOF pitcher to make sure they started their MLB debut.  

But the point is that a year after the opinion was made moot after Sutter, who never started a game, was finally elected!

I knew he missed the Cardinals 40th anniversary celebration for the '82 Champs, but they didn't give details of why.  Makes sense now.  Definitely a key part of that championship team, and it turned out '82 was the only time he would play in the postseason. RIP.

One of my favorites because it was the peak for me as far as collecting cards and baseball being important to me. I grew up with the Twins and Brewers so I didn't see him a lot but he was always intimidating dominating the mound with that big beard.

He was so dominant throughout almost all of his career. R.I.P. to a legend.