Sutter gets Hall nod

[Big Tall]

Sutter punches ticket for Cooperstown

COOPERSTOWN, New York (Ticker) - Closer Bruce Sutter has been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Results of the ballots cast by qualified members of the Baseball Writers Association of America were announced on Tuesday.

Sutter excelled in the days before the save was devalued by managers who now use their stopper only for one inning and every time his club had a lead of three runs or less.

In Sutter's top save season - 45 in 1984 - he pitched more than one inning in 51 of his 71 outings, including three innings six times. He topped 100 innings five times during his career, which spanned from 1976-1988.

The closer on the St. Louis Cardinals' 1982 world championship squad, Sutter broke in with the Chicago Cubs and introduced baseball to the split-finger fastball. He won the National League Cy Young Award in 1979, finished in the top 10 four other times and led the NL in saves five straight seasons.


The story on MLB.com which also has the vote tally

I'm disappointed Sutter is the only one. Rice, Gossage and Dawson were as close as they'll likely ever get

 

[hockeytown]

I think it is great for the relievers they will get another one in the hall, there are several out there that should be considered if not in already. I am guessing closers are viewed along the lines as place kickers and punters are in football. I am happy for Bruce.

 

[He-Man]

Only took 13 years.

 

[dherm360]

now there are 5 guys that are absolute shoe ins

 

[G.I. Joby]

where are the rest?? there should have been more--what a shame--kj

 

[dherm360]

None of these guys will get in next year either, the class is too strong with Ripken and Gwynn and what to do about McGwire

Player Votes %

Bruce Sutter 400 76.9%

Jim Rice 337 64.8%

Rich Gossage 336 64.6%
Andre Dawson 317 61.0%
Bert Blyleven 277 53.3%
Lee Smith 234 45.0%
Jack Morris 214 41.2%
Tommy John 154 29.6%
Steve Garvey 135 26.0%
Alan Trammell 92 17.7%
Dave Parker 75 14.4%
Dave Concepcion 65 12.5%
Don Mattingly 64 12.3%

 

[Chad]

Blyleven's climbing. I hope to see him in at some point.

 

[G.I. Joby]

Sutter, was 19th on the saves list 19, come on..All he had was a split figure and a average ERA--wasted day next year in cooperstwon--kj