Bruce Sutter, baseball Hall of Fame closer and pioneer of split-finger fastball, dead at age 69

Baseball Hall of Fame reliever Bruce Sutter, who saved his career while popularizing the split-finger fastball, has died at the age of 69, Major League Baseball announced Friday.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred called Sutter’s 12-year career in which he led the National League five times in saves an “incredible baseball success story.”

“Bruce ascended from being a non-drafted 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,” Manfred said. “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.”

According to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Sutter was a “struggling minor league pitcher with an injured arm” when Cubs minor league pitching coach Fred Martin taught him the split-finger fastball – in which the thumb pushes the ball out from between wide-spread fingers – in the spring of 1973.

“Fortunately for me, it clicked right away,” Sutter said at his National Baseball Hall of Fame induction in 2006.

** ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS, SEPT. 26-27 -- FILE -- ** In this Feb. 26, 2003 file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers bunting and base running coordinator Maury Wills adjusts his cap during spring training at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Fla. Wills remembered back 43 years ago to that April night when he became the first batter to hit on artificial turf in a major league game. Even when the green rug was novel, he didn't like it.(AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

Related article Dodgers great and stolen-base champ Maury Wills dead at age 89

The deceiving pitch looks like a fastball before quickly diving as it arrives at home plate.

Sutter made his major league debut with the Chicago Cubs in 1976. He would win the 1979 National League Cy Young Award when he saved a league-record-tying 37 games.

He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals before the 1981 season, where he featured as the team’s closer and notably recorded the final out in Game 7 of the 1982 World Series to clinch the title for the Cardinals.

Between 1979 and 1984, Sutter led the league in saves each year except 1983, and he recorded 300 career saves, which ranked third at the time of his 1989 retirement. He ended his career with the Atlanta Braves where he battled arm injuries.

“He had the best makeup of any closer I’ve ever seen,” St. Louis manager Whitey Herzog said of Sutter, according to the Hall of Fame. “He just cut the percentages down for me from 27 outs a game to 21.”

When Sutter was inducted into the Hall of Fame, he was the fourth reliever to be enshrined.

“When I played, I never needed the spotlight, nor did I want it,” he said during his induction speech. “I simply wanted to play baseball and be respected by my teammates and the opposing players.

Bruce Sutter waves to the crowd during the 2018 home opener game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 05, 2018 at Bush Stadium.

“So today my name (Howard Bruce Sutter) goes on this plaque. This day is not about me. It’s about the many people who have helped me along the way.”

Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt Jr. sent his condolences to the Sutter family on behalf of the organization.

“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,” DeWitt said. “He was a true pioneer in the game, changing the role of the late-inning reliever.”

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Adelia "Dede" Robertson, wife of televangelist Pat Robertson and founding board member of the Christian Broadcasting Network, died April 19 at the age of 94.

DJ Kay Slay, an influential member of the New York hip-hop scene whose raucous mixtapes became legendary, died from Covid-19 complications, his family confirmed in a statement on April 18. He was 55. Kay Slay, whose real name was Keith Grayson, had been a star since the early 1990s, when mixtapes he produced featured up-and-comers and superstar rappers like Jay-Z and, later, Eminem.

Arthur Rupe, a record producer and 2011 inductee to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, died on April 15, according to a statement from the Arthur N. Rupe Foundation. He was 104. Rupe is credited with launching the career of Little Richard and helped make R&B a mainstream genre of music, according to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Liz Sheridan, a veteran stage and screen actress who played Jerry Seinfeld's mother, Helen, on "Seinfeld," died on April 15, her manager and friend Amanda Hendon confirmed to CNN. She was 93.

Hockey Hall of Famer Mike Bossy died at the age of 65, the New York Islanders announced on April 15. Bossy, a four-time Stanley Cup champion with the Islanders, is the franchise's all-time leading scorer with 573 goals.

Former Colombia soccer captain Freddy Rincón died on April 14 after being involved in a car crash in Cali, Colombia, the hospital treating him said in a statement. Rincón, 55, played in three World Cups and scored 17 goals in 84 games for Colombia.

Star bodybuilder Cedric McMillan, seen here being interviewed by Arnold Schwarzenegger, died at the age of 44, his sponsor confirmed on April 12. McMillan won multiple titles during his career, including the 2017 Arnold Classic. No further details were released about his death.

Shirley Spork, a trailblazing figure for women's golf who was one of the founders of the Ladies Professional Golf Association, died at the age of 94, the organization said on April 12.

Gilbert Gottfried, a comedian and actor with a distinctly memorable voice, died after a long illness, his family announced on April 12. He was 67.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins was struck and killed by a dump truck on April 9 while trying to cross a highway on foot in South Florida, police said. Haskins, 24, had played for Ohio State and was a Heisman Trophy finalist.

Bobby Rydell, a teen idol from the '60s known for songs like "Wild One" and his role as Hugo Peabody in the 1963 film "Bye Bye Birdie," died on April 5, according to a statement released by his representatives. He was 79.

Estelle Harris, the actress known for playing George Costanza's mother on "Seinfeld," died on April 2, her agent told CNN. She was 93.

Tom Parker, a member of the British boy band The Wanted, died at the age of 33, his wife and bandmates shared on March 30. In October 2020, Parker announced that he'd been diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive type of brain tumor.

Paul Herman, an actor known for his roles in "The Sopranos," "Goodfellas" and "The Irishman," died March 29 at the age of 76.

Taylor Hawkins, the golden-locked musician who for more than two decades was the drummer for Foo Fighters, died at the age of 50, the band said on March 25. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Madeleine Albright, the first woman to serve as US secretary of state, died of cancer at age 84, her family announced in a statement on March 23. Albright was a central figure in President Bill Clinton's administration and helped steer Western foreign policy in the aftermath of the Cold War.

Longtime NFL reporter John Clayton, who was known as "The Professor" because of his encyclopedic knowledge of the game, died March 18, according to ESPN, where he was an analyst, and Seattle Sports, where he hosted a radio show. Clayton was 67.

US Rep. Don Young, an Alaska Republican and the longest-serving member of the current Congress, died March 18, according to a statement from his office. He was 88.

Former pro wrestler Scott Hall, a WWE Hall of Famer who reached stardom as "Razor Ramon" during the heyday of his career in the 1990s, died at the age of 63, the WWE said on March 14.

Stephen Wilhite, the developer who created GIFs in the late '80s and transformed the way we communicate on the internet, died on March 14. His wife, Kathaleen, told CNN that he died from complications of Covid-19. He was 74.

William Hurt, the Oscar-winning star of "Kiss of the Spider Woman," "The Big Chill" and "Broadcast News," died on March 13, his son Will told The Hollywood Reporter. He was 71. Hurt played a variety of roles in classic 1980s films, including "Body Heat" and "Children of a Lesser God."

Singer Traci Braxton, who also starred on the reality series "Braxton Family Values," died of esophageal cancer on March 12. She was 50.

Emilio Delgado, who played the Fix-It Shop owner Luis on "Sesame Street," died on March 10, according to his manager. He had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, in 2020, according to a report from TMZ, citing his wife. Delgado was 81.

Australian cricketer Shane Warne, widely considered one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, died March 4 at the age of 52, his management company confirmed to CNN. Warne was one of cricket's most lethal bowlers, with 708 Test wickets to his name. That's the most ever for an Australian and the second-most of all time.

Elsa Klensch, who was among the first to bring fashion to TV screens with CNN's "Style with Elsa Klensch" in the 1980s, died on March 4. She was 92. For two decades, Klensch gave CNN viewers a front-row seat to runways all over the world, including New York, London, Milan and Paris.

Actor Johnny Brown, who played building superintendent Nathan Bookman on the 1970s sitcom "Good Times," died on March 2, according to his daughter, Sharon Brown. He was 84.

Sally Kellerman, the prolific Oscar-nominated actress who played Maj. Margaret "Hot Lips" O'Houlihan in the 1970 film "M*A*S*H," died on February 24, according to The Hollywood Reporter, which cited her son. She was 84.

Mark Lanegan, a leader within Seattle's grunge music scene and frontman of the influential group Screaming Trees, died February 22 at the age of 57, his family and friends confirmed on his verified Twitter account. Though he often downplayed his contributions to indie rock, the gravelly voiced Lanegan helped usher in a new era for the genre that saw many of his collaborators soar to international fame.

Jamal Edwards, a music entrepreneur best known for founding media platform SBTV, died February 20 at the age of 31. His mother confirmed that her son died from a "sudden illness." Edwards got into the music scene at the age of 15 and was a pioneering figure in British rap and grime music.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Charley Taylor died at the age of 80, the Washington Commanders announced on February 19. Taylor retired in 1977 as the NFL's all-time leading receiver. His record of 649 receptions for 9,110 yards and 79 touchdowns would stand until 1984.

Indian singer and composer Bappi Lahiri, who lent his talent to Indian cinema for nearly 50 years, died February 15 at the age of 69, according to a statement from his doctor. Lahiri, who was fondly referred to as "India's Disco King," was known for his love of 1970s-inspired dance beats. His signature hits, including the 1982 smash "Disco Dancer" from the Bollywood movie of the same name, helped to infuse Indian cinema with a lively, more contemporary sound.

Ivan Reitman, a storied producer and director behind some of Hollywood's biggest comedies, died on February 13, according to the CEO of Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group. He was 75. Reitman created some of the most enduring comedic films of the '80s and '90s, including 1984's "Ghostbusters," which he produced and directed.

Former Major League Baseball player Jeremy Giambi died at the age of 47, a few of his former teams announced on February 9. The cause of death was not released.

Singer Lata Mangeshkar, the "nightingale of India" who gave her voice to Indian movies for more than 70 years, died on February 6, according to her doctor. She was 92.

Bill Fitch, a Hall of Fame basketball coach who won the NBA Finals with the Boston Celtics in 1981, died February 2 at the age of 89.

Italian cinema star Monica Vitti died February 2 at the age of 90, according to Italian politician and family friend Walter Veltroni. Vitti was well-known for her work with some of Italy and Europe's most influential filmmakers throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

Former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst died on January 30, said her family and the New York Police Department, which is investigating her death. She was 30. Kryst was an attorney who sought to help reform America's justice system, and she was a fashion blogger and entertainment news correspondent. She was crowned Miss USA in 2019.

Actor Howard Hesseman, best known as the hard-rocking disc jockey Dr. Johnny Fever on the sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati," died on January 29, according to his manager, Robbie Kass. Hesseman died from complications related to colon surgery, Kass told CNN. He was 81.

Legendary Mexican-Argentinian singer Diego Verdaguer died at the age of 70, his family announced in a statement on January 28. Verdaguer first achieved international success in 1975, when his song "Volveré" ("I'll Be Back") became a hit in Mexico and went on to sell more than 5 million copies.

Actor Vachik Mangassarian, a character actor who appeared on "NCIS: Los Angeles" and "The Mentalist," died of Covid-19 complications, his manager told CNN on January 27. He was 78.

Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen, died on January 23, according to a family spokesman. He was 102. McGee successfully completed 409 air combat missions across three wars — World War II, Korea, and Vietnam — and he received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007.

French fashion designer Thierry Mugler, whose flamboyant creations transformed haute couture, died January 23 at the age of 73, according to a message posted to his official Instagram account.

Clark Gillies, a Hall of Fame hockey player and four-time Stanley Cup winner with the New York Islanders, died on January 21, according to the National Hockey League. He was 67.

Louie Anderson, an Emmy Award-winning actor who also spent part of his career as a stand-up comic and game-show host, died January 21 from complications related to cancer, his publicist Glenn Schwartz confirmed to CNN. Anderson was 68.

Meat Loaf, the larger-than-life singer whose 1977 record "Bat Out of Hell" is one of the best-selling albums of all time, died January 20 at the age of 74, according to a statement from his family on his verified Facebook page. In pictures: Rock 'n' roll legend Meat Loaf

André Leon Talley, the former longtime creative director for Vogue and a fashion icon in his own right, died January 18 at the age of 73, according to a statement on his official Instagram account. Talley was a pioneer in the fashion industry, a Black man in an often insular world dominated by White men and women.

French actor Gaspard Ulliel, best known for playing Hannibal Lecter in "Hannibal Rising," died after a skiing accident on January 18. He was 37.

Lusia "Lucy" Harris, a college basketball star during the 1970s and the first and only woman ever to be officially drafted by an NBA team, died on January 18, according to a statement from her family and Delta State University. She was 66. Harris led Delta State to three national championships from 1975-1977.

Steve Schapiro, an acclaimed photojournalist perhaps best known for his work documenting the civil rights movement, died January 15 at the age of 87. Schapiro was also known for his portraits of some of the world's biggest celebrities, including Muhammad Ali, David Bowie and Barbra Streisand.

Ralph Emery, a legendary radio and television personality in the world of country music, died January 15 at the age of 88, according to the Country Music Association.

Ronnie Spector, the leader of pop group The Ronettes and the powerful central voice of hits like "Be My Baby" and "Baby I love You," died on January 12, her family announced in a statement on her website. She was 78.

Clyde Bellecourt, a leader in the Native American struggle for civil rights and a founder of the American Indian Movement, died on January 11, his wife Peggy Bellecourt told the Star Tribune. He was 85.

Deon Lendore, an Olympic and world championship medalist from Trinidad and Tobago, died in a car accident in Texas on January 10. He was 29.

Don Maynard, a Hall of Fame football player known for helping the New York Jets win Super Bowl III, died January 10 at the age of 86. At the time of his retirement in 1973, Maynard's career receptions (633) and yards receiving (11,834) were league records. He also amassed 10,000 yards receiving before any other pro player.

Bob Saget, the comedian and actor who played wholesome patriarch Danny Tanner on the sitcom "Full House," was found dead in an Orlando hotel room on January 9, his family confirmed in a statement to CNN. He was 65.

Michael Lang, co-creator of the Woodstock music festival, died January 8 at the age of 77.

Award-winning lyricist Marilyn Bergman died January 8 at the age of 93. Along with Alan Bergman, her husband and longtime collaborator, Bergman was nominated for 16 Academy Awards over the course of her career and won three. One was for the song "The Way We Were," from the 1973 film that starred Barbra Streisand.

Sidney Poitier, whose elegant bearing and principled onscreen characters made him Hollywood's first Black movie star, died at the age of 94, it was reported on January 7. In pictures: Hollywood legend Sidney Poitier

Lani Guinier, a legal scholar and champion for voting rights who was once nominated to be assistant attorney general by then-President Bill Clinton, died on January 7, her cousin, Sherrie Russell-Brown, confirmed to CNN. She was 71.

Peter Bogdanovich, the Oscar-nominated director of movies such as "The Last Picture Show" and "Paper Moon," died on January 6. He was 82.

College Football Hall of Famer Ross Browner, a two-time All-American at Notre Dame and a 10-year NFL veteran, died January 6 at the age of 67. Browner, a defensive lineman, started all four seasons at Notre Dame, winning national championships in 1973 and 1977 and setting several school records.

South Korean actress Kim Mi-soo died at the age of 29, her agency, Landscape Entertainment, announced on January 5. The budding TV star and model appeared in the Disney+ series "Snowdrop" and Netflix's "Hellbound."

Kenyan paleoanthropologist and conservationist Richard Leakey, who unearthed evidence that helped prove humankind evolved in Africa, died January 2 at the age of 77.

Dan Reeves, a former NFL running back and head coach, died January 1 at the age of 77. Reeves coached 23 seasons in the NFL and was twice named Coach of the Year.

People we've lost in 2022

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