Former pitcher Sam McDowell, a six-time All-Star whose blazing fastball earned him the nickname “Sudden Sam” during his 15-year major league career, died on Monday, the Cleveland Guardians announced. He was 84.
McDowell, a 6-foot-5, 190-pound left-hander, led the major leagues in strikeouts three times and topped the American League five times. Known for his wildness in addition to his speed, McDowell led the majors in walks five times.
After his career, McDowell focused on helping pro athletes deal with addiction and depression, WKYC reported. He battled alcoholism and entered a rehab program. He would later earn an associate’s degree in psychology and addictions at the University of Pittsburgh, according to the television station.
He became certified as a counselor in 1982.
“The Cleveland Guardians family is deeply saddened by the loss of one of the great pitchers in baseball history, Sam McDowell,” Guardians spokesperson Bob DiBiasio said in a statement. “Sam spent 11 of his 15 seasons in a Cleveland uniform as one of the game’s most feared hurlers. A strikeout king.
“Most importantly, Sam’s life was a story of redemption. After extensive education and training, Sam was a counselor for athletes suffering from addiction and depression. We send our condolences to the entire McDowell family, as well as his many teammates and other organizations impacted by his career.”
McDowell spent the bulk of his career in Cleveland and is one of only two pitchers in franchise history to record 2,000 or more strikeouts, MLB.com reported. His 2,159 whiffs are second only to Cleveland Hall of Famer Bob Feller, who had 2,581 in 234 more games.
Overall, McDowell finished with 2,453 career strikeouts. He had a 141-134 career record and pitched for three teams after spending his first 11 seasons in Cleveland. He would pitch for the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees and finished his career in 1975 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
McDowell was born on Sept. 21, 1942, in Pittsburgh. He lettered in baseball, football, basketball and track at Pittsburgh’s Central Catholic High School, MLB.com reported. The school was two blocks from Forbes Field, and McDowell would pitch batting practice to the Pirates.
He joined Cleveland in 1961, and in 1965 led led the A.L. in strikeouts (325) and ERA (2.18).
McDowell led the league in strikeouts again in 1966 with 225 and led the majors three staight seasons from 1968 to 1970.
He would win 20 games in 1970.