Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael Griffin
Bruce Sutter was one of the new guard of relievers. He wasn’t seen as someone to just hold off the other team if the starter faltered. No, he would come in and pitch to nail down the save, a stat that became official in 1969. He racked up quite a few of them with his legendary split-finger. Here are 12 times when he showed why he deserved the Cooperstown plaque.
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300 Career Saves Before It Was Cool
Baseball was still starting to figure out how valuable this relatively new stat would help. Sutter was more than happy to continue building his collection, sometimes going three innings. He was the new wave and the game would never be the same.
The 1979 Cy Young: When Closers Ruled the World
Did we say that relievers were in a new era? Sutter proved that by bringing home the NL Cy Young in 1979. It was a time when starters owned the award and this was highly unusual. He made the end of games must-watch entertainment while also dominating.
Six All-Star Nods, and One Unhittable Splitter
How impressive was Sutter’s splitter? All-Star teams wanted him, and he made six trips to the Midsummer Classic. Here we see him in 1979 about to strike out Jim Rice, who was the reigning American League MVP at the time. He was capable of making the best hitters look foolish.
NL Saves Leader Five Times, the King of the Ninth
Sutter led the National League in saves not once, not twice, but five times. When the bullpen door swung open in the ninth, you knew whose face would appear, beard or not.
That Ridiculous 1.34 ERA Season
In 1977, Sutter’s ERA shrank to a mind-bending 1.34. That’s not a typo. It’s the kind of number you’d expect from a summer league ace, not a big-league closer facing the best bats in the game. He hadn’t even grown his intimidating beard yet.
The 1982 World Series: Clutch Saves, Champagne Showers
Cardinals fans still get goosebumps remembering Game 7, Sutter shutting the door, arms raised, Busch Stadium roaring. The only thing missing was his getting to compare stats with Rollie Fingers, the Brewers closer that Sutter had replaced in St. Louis.
Fastest to 200 Saves Back When Relievers Were Unicorns
Before closers became every team’s secret weapon, Sutter set the standard, becoming the fastest pitcher to notch 200 saves at the time. He made closing look effortless even though hitters racked their brains to figure out his splitter.
40+ Saves in a Season, Sutter Sets the Bar
In 1984, Sutter’s 45 saves set a National League record. Suddenly, every kid with a glove wanted to throw a splitter, though a good Little League coach would make them wait until they were at least 18 before trying. Otherwise, they risked arm injuries.
He Could Mow Down Hitters
Sutter’s strikeout totals were once the stuff of legend for a reliever. In 1977, he struck out 129 batters. He followed that with two more seasons of 100+ strikeouts.
The Split-Finger: Sutter’s Secret Weapon Becomes a Legend
How dominant was his splitter? It became a legend unto itself. Pitching coaches everywhere tried to teach it, but few could replicate the ball’s late, jaw-dropping dive into the dirt.
Cubs, Cardinals, Braves, Triple Threat, Triple Digits
Sutter didn’t just shine in one uniform. He racked up saves for the Cubs, Cardinals, and Braves. Fans of each team were always glad that he signed with them or was traded there.
Hall of Fame First: The Splitter Gets Immortalized in Cooperstown
In 2006, Bruce Sutter became the first pitcher inducted into the Hall of Fame for mastering the split-finger fastball and being one of the pioneering relievers. No, the people next to him aren’t from ZZ Top. It’s Johnny Bench and Ozzie Smith poking fun at Sutter’s beard, which was long at the time. Now, it pales in comparison to someone like Brian Wilson or Dallas Keuchel, who had BEARDS. Still, it was impressive, almost as good as his heartfelt speech.