A six-time All-Star and 1982 World Series champion, Sutter recorded a 2.83 career earned run average and 300 saves, the third-most in MLB history at the time of his retirement.

Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Sutter briefly attended Old Dominion University and was subsequently signed by the Chicago Cubs as an undrafted free agent in 1971.

He played five years for the Cubs, four for the St. Louis Cardinals, and three for the Atlanta Braves, serving as each team's closer during his tenure.

His usage in the eighth and ninth innings of games was partly responsible for ushering in a more specialized era for the closer role.

[2] Sutter graduated from Donegal High School in Mount Joy, where he played baseball, football, and basketball.

[2] After being selected by the Washington Senators in the 21st round of the 1970 MLB draft, Sutter instead attended Old Dominion University.

Ralph DiLullo, a scout for the Chicago Cubs, signed Sutter as a free agent in September 1971.

[5] When he recovered from surgery and returned to the mound a year later, Sutter found that his previous pitches were no longer effective.

[4] Sutter led the team in ERA and saves as they won the Texas League West Division pennant.

[7] He started the 1976 season with the Class AAA Wichita Aeros, but he pitched only seven games with the team before being promoted to the major leagues.

Sutter had also struck out the side (although not on nine pitches) upon entering the game in the eighth inning, giving him six consecutive strikeouts, tying the NL record for a reliever.

[8] Sutter was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for Leon Durham, Ken Reitz, and a player to be named later in December 1980.

[8] In April of that year, Sutter executed a rare unassisted pickoff play: as Bill Madlock of the Pittsburgh Pirates took a long lead off first base, he became distracted by Cardinals first baseman Keith Hernandez.

Sutter said that he was attracted to the Braves because of Atlanta's scenery and his respect for Ted Turner and Dale Murphy.

[21] He underwent surgery on the shoulder after the season, and recovered in time to appear in spring training in mid-March 1986.

[22] Near the end of March 1986, Sutter commented on his recovery, saying, "I'm throwing the ball as hard as I ever have, but it's just not getting there as fast.

[24] Sutter underwent shoulder surgery in February 1987, the third procedure performed on his arm, in an attempt to remove scar tissue and to promote nerve healing.

[27] By March 1989, Sutter was dealing with a severely torn rotator cuff and he admitted that he would be unlikely to return to baseball.

[29] Sutter retired with exactly 300 saves — at the time, the third-highest total in history, behind Rollie Fingers (341) and Goose Gossage (302).

[31] On January 10, 2006, Sutter was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his 13th year of eligibility by receiving 400 votes out of a possible 520 (76.9%).

[32][33] MLB.com columnist Mike Bauman attributed the delay in Sutter's Hall of Fame election to several factors.

"[35] Johnny Bench and Ozzie Smith wore decorative beards to the induction speech in honor of Sutter.

[36] Sutter's number 42, which he wore throughout his career, was retired by the St. Louis Cardinals during a ceremony at Busch Stadium on September 17, 2006.

A few months later, Whitey Herzog accepted the honor in place of Sutter, whose wife was hospitalized with cancer.

His son Chad was a catcher who played for Tulane University and was selected by the New York Yankees in the 23rd round (711th overall) of the 1999 amateur draft.

Chad played one season in the minor leagues and later joined the coaching staff of the Tulane baseball team.

[42] Sutter died at the age of 69 while in hospice in Cartersville, Georgia, on October 13, 2022, after a recent diagnosis of cancer.

[43][44] Upon the news of his death, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said, "Bruce Sutter was the first pitcher to reach the Hall of Fame without starting a game, and he was one of the key figures who foreshadowed how the use of relievers would evolve.