Sam McDowell, a Cleveland Guardians Hall of Famer who pitched 15 seasons in the Majors, has died. He was 84.
McDowell began his big-league career at 18 years old and quickly became one of the premier pitchers of the 1960s.
The talented southpaw led the American League with a stellar 2.18 ERA in 1965, four years after his MLB debut. He earned six All-Star appearances throughout his storied career. He led the American League in strikeouts five times.
The Pittsburgh native played for Cleveland for 11 years before having stints with the Giants (1972 and '73), Yankees (1973 and '74) and Pirates (1975).
Major League Baseball Remembers Sam McDowell
Tributes from across the MLB community have begun pouring in for the Guardians legend.
Major League Baseball wrote a
"Nicknamed "Sudden Sam", McDowell spent his first 11 seasons with Cleveland from 1961-71. The 6-foot-5 lefty led the league in strikeouts five times, including 1965 when he racked up a career-high 325 Ks to go along with a league-leading 2.18 ERA. In 1970, McDowell won a career-high 20 games and struck out 304 batters in a career-high 305 innings and finished third in Cy Young Award voting.
"A Pittsburgh native, McDowell finished his career with the Pirates in 1975 after stints with the Giants and Yankees. During his post-playing career, McDowell worked as a Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Consultant. He served on the Board of Directors for the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T). He was 84 years old."
The Yankees, who McDowell played two seasons for, also released a statement.
"The Yankees mourn the passing of Sam McDowell and extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones," the team
