Sam McDowell, the hard-throwing left-hander known as “Sudden Sam,” died Monday night at 84, the Cleveland Guardians announced.
McDowell spent 15 seasons in the majors from 1961-75 and put together a 141-134 record while pitching for Cleveland, the Giants, the Yankees and the Pirates. He was a six-time All-Star and led MLB in strikeouts five times, doing it in 1965, 1966 and then three straight years from 1968-1970.
The Yankees paid tribute on social media, writing, “The Yankees mourn the passing of Sam McDowell and extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.”
Born Sept. 21, 1942, McDowell was one of six siblings and grew up in Pittsburgh. He was considered the top baseball prospect in the country coming out of high school, and the Indians beat out 14 other teams to sign him with a $75,000 bonus, according to his SABR biography.
Before heading to spring training with Cleveland in 1962, McDowell married his high school sweetheart, Carol Beisgen. The couple had two children, Debbie and Tim. Tim later pitched briefly in the minors for the Pittsburgh organization from 1988-91.
MLB also marked McDowell’s death on social media, noting, “Nicknamed ‘Sudden Sam,’ McDowell spent his first 11 seasons with Cleveland from 1961-71,“
At 6-foot-5, McDowell overwhelmed hitters with strikeouts. In 1965, he piled up a career-high 325 while also posting a league-best 2.18 ERA. Five years later, he won a career-high 20 games, struck out 304 batters in 305 innings and finished third in Cy Young Award voting.
McDowell wrapped up his playing career with the Pirates in 1975 after stops with the Giants and Yankees. His final numbers included 141 wins and 2,453 strikeouts.
After baseball, McDowell worked as a Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Consultant and served on the Board of Directors for the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T).
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