We are saddened by the passing of 15-year Major League veteran and 6-time All-Star Sam McDowell.
Nicknamed “Sudden Sam”, McDowell spent his first 11 seasons with Cleveland from 1961-71. The 6’5” lefty led the league in strikeouts five times, including 1965 when he racked up a career-high 325 Ks to go along with a league-leading 2.18 ERA.
In 1970, McDowell won a career-high 20 games and struck out 304 batters in a career-high 305 innings and finished third in Cy Young Award voting.
A Pittsburgh native, McDowell finished his career with the Pirates in 1975 after stints with the Giants and Yankees. His career totals included 141 wins and 2,453 strikeouts.
During his post-playing career, McDowell worked as a Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Consultant and served on the Board of Directors for the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T).
He was 84 years old.
ALT Sam McDowell
1942-2026
Pictured: A photo of Sam McDowell in a red and white Cleveland uniform. He is posed in his pitching motion with his right shoulder turned towards the camera.