Former New York Yankees and Cleveland pitcher Sam McDowell has died at the age of 84, according to a report.
McDowell, who debuted on the mound in the major leagues at just 18 years old, passed away on Monday, according to KDKA. No cause of death was announced.
‘Sorry to hear the news of the passing of Pittsburgh native and former 6x MLB All-Star ‘Sudden Sam’ McDowell, who died tonight at age 84, according to his son,’ KDKA Sports TV anchor Bob Pompeani reported.
He added: ‘According to his son Tim, Sam’s impact on baseball went well beyond his playing career. He spent many years helping other players dealing with addiction and became an important source of support for people throughout the baseball community.
‘Prayers and condolences to the McDowell family during this difficult time.’
The southpaw, who was nicknamed ‘Sudden,’ began his career with the Cleveland Indians in 1961, spending the first 11 seasons of his 15-year MLB tenure with the team.
Former New York Yankees and Cleveland pitcher Sam McDowell has died at the age of 84
The southpaw began his career in Cleveland (left) before playing for the San Francisco Giants, Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates
He established himself as one of the most accomplished pitchers in the franchise’s history, becoming one of the American League’s most intimidating pitchers during the 1960s.
In his career, the left-handed pitcher retired with a 3.17 ERA with 2,453 strikeouts, 103 complete games and 23 shutouts over 425 games.
He led the American League in strikeouts four times in a five-year span. He also twice surpassed 300 strikeouts in a season and reached at least 200 strikeouts six times.
He was inducted into Cleveland’s Hall of Fame in 2006.
He earned six All-Star nods, the first of which came in 1965 when he led the AL with a 2.18 ERA and struck out a career-high 325 batters.
His success eventually saw him play for the San Francisco Giants, the Yankees and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
A Pittsburgh native, McDowell only pitched for the Pirates in the final season of his career in 1975.
The left-handed pitcher was inducted into Cleveland’s Hall of Fame in 2006
McDowell’s career on the mound came to an early end due to his struggles with alcohol addiction.
Following his retirement from baseball, McDowell’s battle with alcoholism only worsened, leading him to eventually enter rehab.
He later went on to earn degrees in sports psychology and addiction from the University of Pittsburgh.
He returned to baseball as an addiction counselor, working with the Toronto Blue Jays and winning a World Series ring with the team in 1993. He also mentored athletes throughout MLB, the NFL and the NHL.
From 1987 to 2016, McDowell also served as a recovery consultant for the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.). In 2022 he was recognized with the B.A.T. Lifetime Achievement Award.
McDowell also served as the inspiration for the Ted Danson’s character in the TV sitcom Cheers.
Danson played Sam Malone, an alcoholic ex-Red Sox pitcher who was based on the baseball life of McDowell.
