Don Sutton, the right-handed veteran of the Los Angeles Dodgers who won more than 300 games in his career in the Hall of Fame, died on Monday night, his son Daron announced on social networks.
The Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, said Don Sutton died of cancer at his home in Rancho Mirage, California. He was 75 years old.
“I’m sad to share that my father died in his sleep last night,” wrote Daron Sutton on Twitter. “He worked as hard as anyone I have ever met and treated those he met with great respect … and he took me to work hard. For all these things, I am very grateful. Rest in peace.”
Sad to share that my father died in his sleep last night. He worked as hard as anyone I have ever met and he treated those he met with great respect … and he took me to work hard. For all these things, I am very grateful. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/cvlDRRdVXa
– Daron Sutton (@lifeisgreatsut) January 19, 2021
Sutton’s career began and ended with the Dodgers, with whom he spent 16 of his 23 seasons – from 1966 to 1980 and including a final tour in 1988. He was four times an All-Star, and his 324 victories were ranked 14th major league history.
He also launched for Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Angels. After his playing career, Sutton served as an analyst for the Atlanta Braves for 28 seasons, calling games on television and radio.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend, Don Sutton,” Braves said in a statement. “A generation of Braves fans came to know his voice … Don was as feared on the mound as he was loved at the booth. Winner of 300 games that was four-time All-Star, Don brought unparalleled knowledge of the game and his wit to But in spite of all the success, Don never lost his generous character or humble personality. “
Sutton was included in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998.
“Don Sutton’s brilliance on the field and his enduring commitment to the game he loved so much were maintained in his time as a member of the Hall of Fame,” Jane Forbes Clark, president of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, said in a statement . “I know how much he valued his moments in Cooperstown, just as we value our special moments with him. We share our deepest condolences with his wife, Mary, and his family.”
Sutton’s death followed the death of seven members of the Hall of Fame in 2020, the Cooperstown members who died the most in a year. They were Lou Brock, Whitey Ford, Bob Gibson, Al Kaline, Joe Morgan, Phil Niekro and Tom Seaver.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.