Dodgers Hall-of-Famer Don Sutton passes away at 75

Dodgers legend Don Sutton has unfortunately died at 75.

The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off 2021 with some unfortunate news, as baseball ambassador and Hall-of-Fame manager Tommy Lasorda died at the age of 93. Yet another Dodgers Hall-of-Famer has left us, as the family of legendary right-hander Don Sutton also confirmed that he has passed away.

Per his son, Daron, Sutton passed in his sleep Monday night at the age of 75. He leaves behind a legacy as one of the most consistently excellent pitchers of the ’60s and ’70s.

Don Sutton remains one of the greatest players in the history of the Dodgers

Sutton broke into the league in 1966 by amassing a 2.99 ERA in 35 starts, showing the kind of consistency that he would maintain for nearly two decades as a member of the Dodgers.

While he never won a championship, Sutton won 233 games and posted a 3.09 ERA in 16 seasons as a Dodger, numbers that exceed what even mighty pitchers like Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and Clayton Kershaw did in Dodger blue.

Sutton is tied with Nolan Ryan for 14th all time in wins, but his 324 victories are tied for sixth among players who started their careers in the live-ball era. After leaving the Dodgers, Sutton would pitch for seven years with the Astros, Brewers, A’s and Angels before ending his career as a Dodger, posting 3.92 ERA in 16 starts at the age of 43. His No. 20 was retired in 1998, the same year he was elected to the Hall of Fame.

After baseball, Sutton served as a broadcaster both nationally and with teams like the Nationals, Dodgers and Braves. Normally a radio analyst, he missed the 2019 and 2020 seasons due to poor health.

Sutton might not have been the flashiest pitcher ever, but he was a consistent winner for an uncommonly long period of time, a feat that is worthy of induction into Cooperstown and a place in Dodger lore.