Hall of Famer and legendary Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Don Sutton died at the age of 75 on Monday, according to an announcement from his son, Daron, on social media.
“Saddened to share that my dad passed away in his sleep last night” the statement said. “He worked as hard as anyone I’ve ever known and he treated those he encountered with great respect…and he took me to work a lot. For all these things, I am very grateful. Rest In Peace.”
Sutton died of cancer at his home in Rancho Mirage, California.
“Today we lost a great ballplayer, a great broadcaster and, most importantly, a great person,” Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten said in a statement. “Don left an indelible mark on the Dodger franchise during his 16 seasons in Los Angeles and many of his records continue to stand to this day. I was privileged to have worked with Don in both Atlanta and Washington, and will always cherish our time spent together.”
“Don Sutton was one of our game’s most consistent winning pitchers across his decorated 23-year career,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement, calling Sutton “a model of durability on the mound.”
“Throughout his career, Don represented our game with great class, and many will remember his excitement during his trips to Cooperstown,” Manfred continued. “On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Don’s family, friends and the many fans he earned throughout a memorable life in our National Pastime.”
Sutton ranks third all-time in games started and seventh in innings pitched (5,282⅓), spending 16 of his 23 seasons with the Dodgers. Sutton was a four-time All-Star, posting a career 324-256 mark and a 3.26 ERA, winning over 300 games along the way.
Following his playing career Sutton served as an analyst for the Atlanta Braves in a career that spanned 28 seasons, both on television and in radio.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend, Don Sutton,” the Braves said in a statement. “A generation of Braves fans came to know his voice. … Don was as feared on the mound as he was beloved in the booth. A 300-game winner who was a four-time All-Star, Don brought an unmatched knowledge of the game and his sharp wit to his calls. But despite all the success, Don never lost his generous character or humble personality.”
“Don Sutton’s brilliance on the field, and his lasting commitment to the game that he so loved, carried through to his time as a member of the Hall of Fame,” Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, said in a statement. “I know how much he treasured his moments in Cooperstown, just as we treasured our special moments with him. We share our deepest condolences with his wife, Mary, and his family.”
