View source for Bruce Sutter

{{short description|American baseball player (1953–2022)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|image=Screenshot-(25)-transformed.png
|image_size=250
|caption=Sutter with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1984
|name=Bruce Sutter
|position=[[Pitcher]]
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{birth date|1953|1|8}}
|birth_place=[[Lancaster, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
|death_date={{death date and age|2022|10|13|1953|1|8}}
|death_place=[[Cartersville, Georgia]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=May 9
|debutyear=1976
|debutteam=Chicago Cubs
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=September 9
|finalyear=1988
|finalteam=Atlanta Braves
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
|stat1value=68–71
|stat2label=[[Earned run average]]
|stat2value=2.83
|stat3label=[[Strikeout]]s
|stat3value=861
|stat4label=[[Save (baseball)|Saves]]
|stat4value=300
|teams=
* [[Chicago Cubs]] ({{mlby|1976}}–{{mlby|1980}})
* [[St. Louis Cardinals]] ({{mlby|1981}}–{{mlby|1984}})
* [[Atlanta Braves]] ({{mlby|1985}}–{{mlby|1986}}, {{mlby|1988}})
|highlights=
* 6× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1977 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1977]]–[[1981 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1981]], [[1984 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1984]])
* [[World Series champion]] ({{wsy|1982}})
* [[NL Cy Young Award]] (1979)
* 4× [[NL Rolaids Relief Man Award]] (1979, 1981, 1982, 1984)
* 5× [[List of Major League Baseball annual saves leaders|NL saves leader]] (1979–1982, 1984)
* [[St. Louis Cardinals#Retired numbers|St. Louis Cardinals No. 42]] retired
* [[Chicago Cubs#Cubs Hall of Fame|Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame]]
* [[St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum|St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame]]
|hoflink = National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
|hoftype = National
|hofdate = [[2006 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|2006]]
|hofvote = 76.9% (13th ballot)
}}

'''Howard Bruce Sutter''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|uː|t|ər}}; January 8, 1953 – October 13, 2022) was an American professional [[baseball]] [[pitcher]] who played 12 seasons in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) between 1976 and 1988. He was one of the sport's dominant [[Relief pitcher|relievers]] in the late 1970s and early 1980s, making effective use of the [[split-finger fastball]]. A six-time [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] and [[1982 World Series]] champion, Sutter recorded a 2.83 career [[earned run average]] and 300 [[save (baseball)|saves]], the [[300 save club|third-most in MLB history]] at the time of his retirement. Sutter won the [[National League (baseball)|National League]]'s (NL) [[Cy Young Award]] in 1979 as its top pitcher, and won the NL [[Rolaids Relief Man Award]] four times. He became the only pitcher to [[List of Major League Baseball annual saves leaders|lead the NL in saves]] five times (1979–1982, 1984).

Born in [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania]], Sutter briefly attended [[Old Dominion University]] and was subsequently signed by the [[Chicago Cubs]] as an undrafted free agent in 1971. He played five years for the Cubs, four for the [[St. Louis Cardinals]], and three for the [[Atlanta Braves]], serving as each team's [[closer (baseball)|closer]] during his tenure. His usage in the eighth and ninth [[inning]]s of games was partly responsible for ushering in a more specialized era for the closer role. In the mid-1980s, Sutter began to experience shoulder problems, undergoing three surgeries before retiring in 1989.

In [[2006 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|2006]], Sutter was inducted into the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Baseball Hall of Fame]]. He was also honored by the Cardinals with the [[St. Louis Cardinals#Retired numbers|retirement of his uniform number 42]] in 2006 and induction into the [[St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum|Cardinals Hall of Fame]] in 2014. Sutter also served as a minor league consultant for the [[Philadelphia Phillies]].

==Early life==
Sutter was born to Howard and Thelma Sutter in [[Lancaster, Pennsylvania]]. His father managed a [[Farm Bureau]] warehouse in [[Mount Joy, Pennsylvania]].<ref name=Porter>{{cite book|last1=Porter|first1=David|title=Biographical Dictionary of American Sports: Q-Z|date=2000|publisher=[[Greenwood Publishing Group]]|isbn=0313311765|page=1503|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HXAxPvFtwqIC&pg=PA1503|access-date=July 19, 2014}}</ref> Bruce was the fifth child of six.<ref name=PSU/>

Sutter graduated from [[Donegal High School]] in Mount Joy, where he played baseball, football, and basketball. He was quarterback and captain of the football team and also served as captain for the basketball squad, which won a district championship in his senior season. His baseball team also won the county championship.<ref name=PSU/>

==Career==

===Early career===
After being selected by the [[Washington Senators (1961–71)|Washington Senators]] in the 21st round of the [[1970 MLB draft]], Sutter instead attended [[Old Dominion University]]. He dropped out of school and returned to Lancaster to play [[semi-professional sports|semi-professional]] baseball. [[Ralph DiLullo]], a [[scout (sport)|scout]] for the [[Chicago Cubs]], signed Sutter as a free agent in September 1971.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Bruce |last=King |url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/bruce-sutter/|title=Bruce Sutter |website=Society for American Baseball Research |access-date=October 14, 2022}}</ref> He pitched in two games for the [[Gulf Coast League Cubs]] in 1972.<ref name=BRMinors/> When he was 19, Sutter had surgery on his arm to relieve a [[pinched nerve]].<ref name=Philly>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Claire|title=A reliever's long road trip|url=http://articles.philly.com/2006-07-30/sports/25405539_1_bruce-sutter-national-baseball-hall-split-fingered-fastball|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105035603/http://articles.philly.com/2006-07-30/sports/25405539_1_bruce-sutter-national-baseball-hall-split-fingered-fastball|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2013|access-date=November 1, 2013|newspaper=[[Philly.com]]|date=July 30, 2006}}</ref> When he recovered from surgery and returned to the mound a year later, Sutter found that his previous pitches were no longer effective. He learned the [[split-finger fastball]] from minor league pitching instructor [[Fred Martin (baseball)|Fred Martin]]. Sutter's large hands helped him to use the pitch, which was a modification of the [[forkball]].<ref name=Philly/>

Sutter had nearly been released by the Cubs, but found success with the new pitch. [[Mike Krukow]], who was also a Cubs minor league player at the time, said, "As soon as I saw him throw it, I knew he was going to the big leagues. Everyone wanted to throw it after he did."<ref name=ESPN>{{cite web|last=Kurkjian|first=Tim|title=Mastery of splitter led to Sutter's success|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/columns/story?id=2531648|work=[[ESPN.com]]|access-date=April 7, 2014|date=July 28, 2006}}</ref> He recorded a 3–3 [[win–loss record]], a 4.13 [[earned run average]] (ERA), and five [[save (baseball)|saves]] in 40 games for the [[Quincy Cubs]] in Class A baseball in 1973.<ref name=BRMinors>{{cite web|title=Bruce Sutter Minor League Statistics & History|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=sutter001how|website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=July 5, 2014}}</ref>

Sutter split the 1974 season between the Class A [[Key West Conchs]] and the Class AA [[Midland Cubs]]. Though he finished the season with a combined 2–7 record, he recorded a 1.38 ERA in 65 innings. He returned to Midland in 1975 and finished the year with a 5–7 record, a 2.15 ERA, and 13 saves.<ref name=BRMinors/> Sutter led the team in ERA and saves as they won the [[Texas League]] West Division pennant.<ref name=Midland>{{cite web|title=1975 Midland Cubs|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/team.cgi?id=f394c475|website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=July 5, 2014}}</ref> He started the 1976 season with the Class AAA [[Wichita Aeros]], but he pitched only seven games with the team before being promoted to the major leagues.<ref name=BRMinors/>

===Chicago Cubs (1976–1980)===
Sutter joined the Cubs in May 1976. He pitched in 52 games and finished with a 6–3 [[win–loss record]] and 10 saves. In 1977 he had a 1.34 ERA, earned an [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] selection, and finished sixth and seventh in NL [[Cy Young Award]] and [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player Award]] voting, respectively.<ref name=BR/> On September 8, 1977, Sutter struck out all three batters on nine total pitches in the ninth inning of a 10-inning 3–2 win over the [[Montreal Expos]], becoming the 12th NL pitcher and the 19th pitcher in major-league history to achieve an [[immaculate inning]]. Sutter had also struck out the side (although not on nine pitches) upon entering the game in the eighth inning, giving him six consecutive strikeouts, tying the NL record for a reliever.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Madden |first=Bill |date=1977-09-09 |title=Bruce Sutter Ties Strike Out Record |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/latrobe-bulletin-bruce-sutter-ties-strik/157962311/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |work=Latrobe Bulletin |page=15 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

Sutter's ERA increased to 3.19 in 1978, but he earned 27 saves.<ref name=BR/> In May 1979, the Cubs acquired relief pitcher [[Dick Tidrow]]. Tidrow would enter the game and pitch a couple of innings before Sutter came in for the save. Sutter credited Tidrow for much of his success.<ref name=Fimaite>{{cite magazine|last1=Fimrite|first1=Ron|title=This pitch in time saves nine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1979/09/17/this-pitch-in-time-saves-nine-when-chicago-requires-late-inning-help-out-of-the-bullpen-comes-bruce-sutter-whose-unique-quotsplit-fingered-fastballquot-has-made-him-the-most-effective-relief-pitcher-in-the-game|access-date=2024-07-02|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=September 17, 1979}}<!-- In 2014, this URL was at https://www.si.com/vault/1979/09/17/823981/this-pitch-in-time-saves-nine-when-chicago-requires-late-inning-help-out-of-the-bullpen-comes-bruce-sutter-whose-unique-quotsplit-fingered-fastballquot-has-made-him-the-most-effective-relief-pitcher-in-the-game--></ref> Sutter saved 37 games for the club, tying the NL record held by [[Clay Carroll]] ({{baseball year|1972}}) and [[Rollie Fingers]] ({{baseball year|1978}}), and won the NL [[Cy Young Award]]. This year also marked the first of five seasons (four consecutive) in which he led the league in saves. Sutter also won the [[Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award]] and [[The Sporting News Reliever of the Year Award|''The Sporting News'' Fireman of the Year Award]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Fireman of the Year Award / Reliever of the Year Award by The Sporting News |url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snfi.shtml |access-date=2024-10-20 |website=Baseball Almanac}}</ref> In addition to a league-leading 28 saves in 1980, Sutter recorded a 2.64 ERA and finished with a 5–8 win–loss record in 60 games. His strikeout total, which had been over 100 the previous three seasons, fell to 76 that year and he never finished with more than 77 strikeouts in any of his remaining seasons.<ref name=BR/>

===St. Louis Cardinals (1981–1984) ===
Sutter was traded to the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] for [[Leon Durham]], [[Ken Reitz]], and a player to be named later in December 1980.<ref>{{cite news |title=Relief pitcher Bruce Sutter, traded by Chicago to St.... |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1980/12/16/Relief-pitcher-Bruce-Sutter-traded-by-Chicago-to-St/7034345790800/ |access-date=December 9, 2024 |work=United Press International |date=December 18, 1980}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Tuesday's Sports Transactions |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1980/12/09/Tuesdays-Sports-Transactions/7783345186000/ |access-date=December 9, 2024 |work=United Press International |date=December 9, 1980}}</ref> He made his fifth consecutive All-Star Game in 1981.<ref name=BR>{{cite web|title=Bruce Sutter Statistics and History|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/suttebr01.shtml|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|access-date=April 7, 2014}}</ref> He recorded 25 saves, registered a 2.62 ERA, and finished fifth in the NL Cy Young Award voting.<ref name=BR/>

Sutter registered 36 saves in 1982, finishing third in the Cy Young Award voting.<ref name=BR/> Sutter earned the save in the pennant-clinching victory in the [[1982 National League Championship Series|NLCS]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=1982-10-11 |title=Sutter, Herr In Series, Garber Out |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lancaster-new-era-sutter-herr-in-series/157971888/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |work=Lancaster New Era |page=13 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> The Cardinals won the [[1982 World Series]] and Sutter is credited with two saves in that Series, including the Series-clinching save in Game 7 which ended with a strikeout of [[Gorman Thomas]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reeves |first=Jim |date=1982-10-21 |title=St. Louis' Porter gets MVP |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/fort-worth-star-telegram-st-louis-port/157971971/ |access-date=2024-10-28 |work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram |page=31 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>

In 1983, Sutter recorded a 9–10 win–loss record and a 4.23 ERA; while his save total declined to 21.<ref name=BR/> In April of that year, Sutter executed a rare unassisted [[pickoff]] play: as [[Bill Madlock]] of the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] took a long lead off first base, he became distracted by Cardinals first baseman [[Keith Hernandez]]. Sutter ran off the mound to tag Madlock out.<ref name=Mulligan>{{cite book|last1=Mulligan|first1=Stephen|title=Were You There?: Over 300 Wonderful, Weird, and Wacky Moments from Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Stadium|date=2013|publisher=[[Dorrance Publishing Co.]]|isbn=978-1480905023|page=131|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rzP9vlQFkIkC|access-date=July 20, 2014}}</ref>

Sutter, who won both the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award and The Sporting News Reliever of the Year Award again in 1981, 1982, and 1984,<ref name=":0" /> tied [[Dan Quisenberry]]'s major league record for most saves in a season (45) in 1984. (His MLB record was broken by [[Dave Righetti]] (46) in 1986 and his NL record was broken by [[Lee Smith (baseball)|Lee Smith]] (47) in 1991.) During Sutter's record-breaking season, he pitched a career-high {{fract|122|2|3}} innings. It was one of five seasons in which Sutter threw more than 100 innings.<ref name=Kurkjian>{{cite web|last1=Kurkjian|first1=Tim|title=Mastery of splitter led to Sutter's success|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/columns/story?id=2531648|website=[[ESPN.com]]|date=July 28, 2006 |access-date=July 20, 2014}}</ref>

===Atlanta Braves (1985–1988)===
Sutter joined the [[Atlanta Braves]] in December 1984 as a [[free agent]]. ''[[The New York Times]]'' reported that Sutter's six-year contract paid him $4.8 million and placed another $4.8 million into a deferred payment account at 13 percent interest. The newspaper estimated that the account would pay Sutter $1.3 million per year for 30 years after the initial six seasons of the contract. Sutter said that he was attracted to the Braves because of [[Atlanta]]'s scenery and his respect for [[Ted Turner]] and [[Dale Murphy]].<ref name=NYBrave>{{cite news|title=Sutter becomes a Brave|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/12/08/sports/sutter-becomes-a-brave-atlanta-dec-7-ap-bruce-sutter-a-free-agent-relief-pitcher.html|access-date=July 4, 2014|agency=[[The New York Times]]|date=December 8, 1984}}</ref>

Before the start of the 1985 season, Cardinals manager [[Whitey Herzog]] commented on facing the season without Sutter. "To me, Bruce is the best there ever was," Herzog said. "Losing him is like Kansas City losing Dan Quisenberry...I told Bruce, 'Look, you've taken care of your children and your grandchildren and your great-grandchildren. Now, if I get fired in July, will you take care of me and Mary Lou?'"<ref name=Durso>{{cite news|last1=Durso|first1=Joseph|title=Sutter-less Cards optimistic|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/03/04/sports/sutter-less-cards-optimistic.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Aw|access-date=July 5, 2014|agency=[[The New York Times]]|date=March 4, 1985}}</ref>

When Sutter arrived in Atlanta, only two Braves pitchers had ever earned 25 or more saves in a season; the Braves in 1984 had recorded 49 saves as a team, just four more than Sutter's own total.<ref name=Marriage>{{cite news|last1=Martinez|first1=Michael|title=Sutter and Braves: A happy marriage|newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/03/31/sports/sutter-and-braves-a-happy-marriage.html|access-date=July 5, 2014|agency=[[The New York Times]]|date=March 31, 1985}}</ref> In 1985, Sutter's ERA rose to 4.48 and his saves total decreased to 23.<ref name=BR/> By the end of the season, he was bothered by nerve impingement in the right shoulder.<ref name=Tribune87>{{cite news|title=Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Bruce Sutter plans to...|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1987-01-23/sports/8701060551_1_contract-al-pitcher-outfielder-max-venable|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714201814/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1987-01-23/sports/8701060551_1_contract-al-pitcher-outfielder-max-venable|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 14, 2014|access-date=July 5, 2014|agency=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=January 23, 1987}}</ref> He underwent surgery on the shoulder after the season, and recovered in time to appear in [[spring training]] in mid-March 1986.<ref name=Robb>{{cite news|last1=Robb|first1=Sharon|title=Atlanta's fireman off to a hot start: Braves relieved after Sutter's first outing|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1986-03-12/sports/8601150396_1_first-pitch-braves-bruce-sutter|access-date=July 5, 2014|work=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|date=March 12, 1986|archive-date=July 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714224603/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1986-03-12/sports/8601150396_1_first-pitch-braves-bruce-sutter|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Near the end of March 1986, Sutter commented on his recovery, saying, "I'm throwing the ball as hard as I ever have, but it's just not getting there as fast. I don't know what's going to happen. I just have to keep throwing and see. So far, there have been no setbacks. Today I felt great, no problems."<ref name=Slow>{{cite news|last1=Verrell|first1=Gordon|title=Sutter's comeback goes slow: Braves relief ace's velocity in question|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1986/03/30/sutters-comeback-goes-slow-braves-relief-aces-velocity-in-question/|access-date=July 5, 2014|agency=[[Orlando Sentinel]]|date=March 30, 1986}}</ref> Sutter started the season with a 2–0 record and a 4.34 ERA in 16 games.<ref name=BR/> He was placed on the [[disabled list]] in May due to arm problems. On July 31, manager [[Chuck Tanner]] announced that Sutter would probably not return to pitching in that season.<ref name=Notebook>{{cite news|title=Wednesday's Notebook|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1986/07/31/wednesdays-notebook-60/|access-date=July 5, 2014|agency=[[Orlando Sentinel]]|date=July 31, 1986}}</ref>

Sutter underwent shoulder surgery in February 1987, the third procedure performed on his arm, in an attempt to remove scar tissue and to promote nerve healing. To recover from the surgery, he was required to miss the entire 1987 season.<ref name=Rome>{{cite news|title=Bruce Sutter recovering from surgery|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=348&dat=19870212&id=siBNAAAAIBAJ&pg=3097,2121973|access-date=April 7, 2014|newspaper=[[Rome News-Tribune]]|date=February 12, 1987}}</ref> He returned to limited action with the Braves in 1988.<ref name=PSU>{{cite web|last=Groff|first=Tyler|title=Bruce Sutter|url=http://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/palitmap/bios/Sutter__Bruce.html|publisher=Pennsylvania Center for the Book|access-date=November 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515225200/http://pabook.libraries.psu.edu/palitmap/bios/Sutter__Bruce.html|archive-date=May 15, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> In late May, Sutter earned saves on consecutive nights and sportswriter [[Jerome Holtzman]] characterized his pitching as "vintage Sutter".<ref name=Touch>{{cite news|last1=Holtzman|first1=Jerome|title=Sutter finds touch again after not losing heart|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1988/05/26/sutter-finds-touch-again-after-not-losing-heart/|access-date=July 19, 2014|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=May 26, 1988}}</ref> He finished the year with a 1–4 record, a 4.76 ERA and 14 saves in 38 games pitched.<ref name=BR/> In late September, he had [[arthroscopic surgery]] on his right knee.<ref name=Knee>{{cite news|title=Sutter has surgery|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1988-09-27/sports/8802250647_1_padres-name-president-padres-game-dick-freeman|access-date=July 19, 2014|work=Sun-Sentinel|date=September 27, 1988|archive-date=July 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729195433/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1988-09-27/sports/8802250647_1_padres-name-president-padres-game-dick-freeman|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Retirement==
By March 1989, Sutter was dealing with a severely torn [[rotator cuff]] and he admitted that he would be unlikely to return to baseball. "There's probably a 99.9 percent chance I won't be able to pitch again," he said.<ref name=Hopes/> General Manager [[Bobby Cox]] said that "Bruce is not going to retire. We're not going to release him. We'll put him on the 21-day [[disabled list]], then probably move him to the 60-day disabled list later on."<ref name=Hopes/> Sutter planned to reevaluate his condition after resting his arm for three to four months.<ref name=Hopes>{{cite news|title=Sports People: Baseball; Sutter's Hopes Are Dim|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/29/sports/sports-people-baseball-sutter-s-hopes-are-dim.html|access-date=October 31, 2013|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=March 29, 1989}}</ref> The Braves released him that November.<ref name=Bangor>{{cite news|title=Bruce Sutter Career Ends|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=v6tJAAAAIBAJ&pg=3532,198856|access-date=November 1, 2013|newspaper=[[Bangor Daily News]]|date=November 16, 1989}}</ref>

Sutter retired with exactly 300 saves — at the time, the third-highest total in history, behind [[Rollie Fingers]] (341) and [[Goose Gossage]] (302). His career saves total was an NL record until broken by [[Lee Smith (baseball)|Lee Smith]] in 1993.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://baseballhall.org/discover/inside-pitch/smith-reaches-top-of-saves-list-with-no-358|title=Smith reaches top of saves list with No. 358|website=Baseball Hall of Fame}}</ref>

==Hall of Fame==
[[File:Newbrucesutter.jpg|thumb|upright|Sutter during the [[2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game]] Red Carpet Parade]]
Sutter appeared on his thirteenth [[Baseball Hall of Fame]] ballot in [[2006 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|2006]]. Sportswriter Matthew Leach of [[MLB.com]] referred to this ballot as Sutter's best chance for induction; he pointed out that Sutter would only be eligible for two more Hall of Fame ballots. Nearing the end of his eligibility, Sutter said he did not think about induction very often. "It's just an honor to be on the ballot, but it's not something I think that much about. I have no control over it. ... It's out of my hands. It's the voters, it's in the voters' hands. There's nothing I can do about it. I can't pitch anymore... There's a lot of guys that I think should be in that aren't in. It's for the special few people to get into the Hall of Fame. It shouldn't be easy to get in", he said.<ref name=Leach>{{cite web|last=Leach|first=Matthew|title=Sutter braces for latest Hall chance|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20051220&content_id=1284771&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnered=rss_mlb|work=[[MLB.com]]|access-date=November 1, 2013}}</ref> On January 10, 2006, Sutter was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his 13th year of eligibility by receiving 400 votes out of a possible 520 (76.9%). He was the fourth relief pitcher inducted, and the first pitcher inducted without starting a game.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2286997|title=Sutter elected to baseball Hall of Fame|date=January 10, 2006|website=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref name=WaPo>{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Brian |title=Bruce Sutter, ace relief pitcher who pioneered role of closer, dies at 69 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2022/10/15/bruce-sutter-reliever-cardinals-dies/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=6 November 2022}}</ref>

MLB.com columnist Mike Bauman attributed the delay in Sutter's Hall of Fame election to several factors. He pointed out that Sutter's first five strong seasons were with the Cubs, a team that did not receive much attention during those years. He also noted that the closer role was relatively new in baseball history. Finally, he wrote that Sutter's candidacy was hurt because his career was cut short by injuries.<ref name=Bauman>{{cite web|last1=Bauman|first1=Mike|title=No need to be split: Sutter deserves it|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060110&content_id=1293460&vkey=perspectives&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|website=[[MLB.com]]|access-date=July 5, 2014}}</ref>

At his Hall of Fame induction that July, Sutter was the only former MLB player inducted. However, he was joined by 17 [[Negro league baseball]] players. During his induction speech, Sutter said, "I haven't played baseball for 18 years now and I'm getting more sentimental as I get older. You start losing family members and you start losing friends. There are teammates who have passed on. You start thinking of them as you put together a speech. I'm not usually an emotional guy. My kids said the first time they ever saw me cry was when I got that phone call [telling him that he was elected]. Now today. I guess a lot of people have seen me crying now."<ref name=Bloom>{{cite web|last1=Bloom|first1=Barry|title=History for Sutter, Negro Leaguers|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060730&content_id=1583812&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|website=[[MLB.com]]|access-date=July 5, 2014|date=July 30, 2006}}</ref> [[Johnny Bench]] and [[Ozzie Smith]] wore decorative beards to the induction speech in honor of Sutter.<ref name=Bloom/> Sutter's Hall of Fame plaque depicts him wearing a Cardinals cap.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bloom |first=Barry M. |date=March 27, 2014 |title=History for Sutter, Negro Leaguers |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060730&content_id=1583812&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714223212/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060730&content_id=1583812&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |archive-date=2014-07-14 |website=MLB.com}}</ref>

==Other honors==
{{MLBBioRet
|Image  = CardsRetired42.PNG
|Name   = Bruce Sutter
|Number = 42
|Team   = St. Louis Cardinals
|Year   = 2006
|}}
Sutter's number 42, which he wore throughout his career, was retired by the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] during a ceremony at [[Busch Stadium]] on September 17, 2006. He shares his retired number with [[Jackie Robinson]], whose number 42 was retired by all MLB teams in 1997.<ref>{{cite web |last=Leach |first=Matthew |date=2006-09-17 |title=Cardinals pay tribute to Sutter |url=http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060917&content_id=1668100&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421154540/http://stlouis.cardinals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060917&content_id=1668100&vkey=news_stl&fext=.jsp&c_id=stl |archive-date=2008-04-21 |website=MLB.com}}</ref>

In November 2010, Sutter was inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame. A few months later, Whitey Herzog accepted the honor in place of Sutter, whose wife was hospitalized with cancer.<ref name=Subs>{{cite web|last1=Nelson|first1=Kathleen|title=Herzog subs for Sutter at Locker Room Luncheon|url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/other/herzog-subs-for-sutter-at-locker-room-luncheon/article_a483b694-1812-577e-a59c-0ef3af03b354.html|publisher=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]|access-date=July 5, 2014|date=February 11, 2011}}</ref> In January 2014, the Cardinals announced Sutter among 22 former players and personnel to be inducted into the [[St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum]] for the inaugural class of [[2014 St. Louis Cardinals season|2014]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Cardinals Press Release |url=https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/news/cardinals-establish-hall-of-fame--detail-induction-process/c-66822534 |title=Cardinals establish Hall of Fame & detail induction process |website=mlb.com |date=January 18, 2014 |access-date=January 29, 2014}}</ref>

==Personal life and death==
Sutter remained in Atlanta with his wife and three sons after retirement. His son Chad was a catcher who played for [[Tulane University]] and was selected by the [[New York Yankees]] in the 23rd round (711th overall) of the 1999 amateur draft. Chad played one season in the minor leagues and later joined the coaching staff of the Tulane baseball team.<ref name=Chad>{{cite web|title=Chad Sutter Bio|url=http://www.tulanegreenwave.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/sutter_chad00.html|publisher=[[Tulane University]]|access-date=April 7, 2014|archive-date=September 7, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907205942/http://www.tulanegreenwave.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/sutter_chad00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On August 23, 2010, Sutter was named a minor league consultant for the Philadelphia Phillies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100823&content_id=13826214&notebook_id=13827314&vkey=notebook_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100825183329/http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100823&content_id=13826214&notebook_id=13827314&vkey=notebook_phi&fext=.jsp&c_id=phi |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 25, 2010 |title=Phillies bring in Sutter to mentor young arms |publisher=Philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com |access-date=April 7, 2014}}</ref> He was hired to evaluate pitching prospects at the team's Double-A and Triple-A affiliates.<ref name=Stephens>{{cite web|last1=Stephens|first1=Bailey|title=Sutter to work with Phils' pitching prospects|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100823&content_id=13817022&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|website=[[MLB.com]]|access-date=July 20, 2014}}</ref>

Sutter died at the age of 69 while in [[hospice]] in [[Cartersville, Georgia]], on October 13, 2022, after a recent diagnosis of cancer.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bruce Sutter, split-finger ace and Hall of Famer, dies at 69|last=Walker|first=Ben|url=https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-georgia-chicago-cubs-st-louis-9fe6323a39b61a6f6e0e10a2108bcdd8|publisher=Associated Press|date=October 14, 2022|access-date=October 14, 2022}}</ref><ref name="k724">{{cite web | last=Denton | first=John | title=Hall of Fame pitcher Bruce Sutter dies at age 69 | website=MLB.com | date=2022-10-14 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/bruce-sutter-dies | access-date=2025-01-19}}</ref>

Upon the news of his death, MLB Commissioner [[Rob Manfred]] said, "Bruce Sutter 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. Bruce will be remembered as one of the best pitchers in the histories of two of our most historic franchises."<ref name=WaPo/>

==See also==
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual saves leaders]]
* [[List of St. Louis Cardinals team records]]
* [[Major League Baseball titles leaders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
*{{cite magazine|last=Fimrite|first=Ron|title=The Pitch of the '80s|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1986/06/09/the-pitch-of-the-80s|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=1986-06-09|access-date=2024-07-02}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{bbhof|sutter-bruce}}
*{{baseballstats |mlb= |espn= |br=s/suttebr01|fangraphs=1012743|brm=sutter001how}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sutter, Bruce}}
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