Bruce Sutter, great reliever of the 1980s, dies

Major League Baseball has lost one of the greatest relief pitchers in its history, as Hall of Famer Bruce Sutter died Friday at the age of 69.

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The Pennsylvania native marked the end of the 1970s and the beginning of the following decade. He had his moment of glory when he won the National League Cy-Young Trophy with the Chicago Cubs in 1979. He then continued his good years by leading the majors in saves three times in one season.

He won the World Series in 1982 with the St. Louis Cardinals. Sutter was a big part of the win, finishing four games in the final series against the Milwaukee Brewers and recording two saves.

The right-hander concluded his career with a three-year stint with the Atlanta Braves in 1988. He went 68-71 with a 2.83 points-against average. His 300 saves, a National record until 1993, rank him 30th in major league history.

Sutter was inducted into Cooperstown in 2006, in his 13th year of eligibility. His number 42 was retired by the Cardinals the same year.