Gary Sutherland

Gary Lynn Sutherland (September 27, 1944 – December 16, 2024), nicknamed "Sudsy", was an American professional baseball middle infielder. He player 13 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1966 to 1978 for the Philadelphia Phillies, Montreal Expos, Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, and St. Louis Cardinals. He played college baseball at the University of Southern California.

During Sutherland’s major league career, he played 717 games as a second baseman and 164 games as a shortstop. Sutherland compiled a .243 batting average, but became known for his finesse in turning the double play. Sutherland led all National League (NL) second basemen with 110 double plays turned during the 1969 season. In 1969, he also scored the first run in franchise history for the Montreal Expos and recorded the first putout in a regular season MLB game ever played in Canada. Sutherland's career included stints with the Philadelphia Phillies (1966–68), Montreal Expos (1969–71), Houston Astros (1972–73), Detroit Tigers (1974–76), Milwaukee Brewers (1976), San Diego Padres (1977), and St. Louis Cardinals (1978).

Early life Sutherland was born in Glendale, California on September 27, 1944. and 1940s. His older brother, Darrell Sutherland, was a right-handed pitcher for the New York Mets from 1964 to 1966.

Sutherland attended Glendale High School and the University of Southern California. He played college baseball and was selected as an All-American while playing for the USC Trojans baseball team under head coach Rod Dedeaux. Sutherland represented the United States in baseball at the 1964 Summer Olympics as a demonstration sport in Tokyo.

Professional baseball

Minor leagues In November 1964, after completing his sophomore year at the University of Southern California, Sutherland was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies to a bonus contract as an amateur free agent.

Philadelphia Phillies Sutherland made his major league debut with the Phillies on September 17, 1966, at age 21. He appeared in three games for the Phillies at the end of the 1966 season and had no hits in three at bats. On April 30, 1967, he had a pinch-hit double in the ninth inning to drive in the game-winning runs against the Atlanta Braves. Sutherland remained with the Phillies throughout the 1967 season, but moved to shortstop, playing 66 games at the position as a substitute for the Phillies' regular shortstop, Bobby Wine. Sutherland's compiled a .247 batting average in 231 at bats during his rookie season.

In 1968, Sutherland appeared in 17 games at second base, 10 at shortstop, 10 at third base, five in right field and two in left field. He did not appear in any games at the catcher position.

Montreal Expos In October 1968, Sutherland was drafted by the Montreal Expos as the eighth pick in the 1968 expansion draft.

In 1971, Ron Hunt took over as the Expos' starting second baseman with Sutherland splitting his time between second base (56 games) and shortstop (46 games). At the time of the trade, Detroit scout Jack Tighe opined, "Sutherland makes the double play as good as anyone who ever played. And that includes Bill Mazeroski and Frankie Frisch and all the rest."

Sutherland became the Tigers' starting second baseman in 1974 and began the season with a renewed strength at the plate, batting .417 early in the season. Sutherland finished the 1974 season with a .254 batting average and recorded career highs with 149 games played, 337 putouts, 652 plate appearances, 619 at bats, 157 hits, and 49 RBIs.

Sutherland remained the Tigers' starting second baseman in 1975, appearing in 128 games at second base and ranking second in the American League with 21 errors at the position. He compiled a .258 batting average in 1975.

1976 to 1978 seasons Between April 1976 and May 1978, Sutherland played for four major league clubs. He began the 1976 season with the Tigers, appearing in 42 games at second base. In June 1976, he was traded by the Tigers to the Milwaukee Brewers for Pedro García. Sutherland appeared in 45 games at second base for the Brewers, compiling a .217 batting average.

In April 1977, Sutherland signed as a free agent with the San Diego Padres, appearing in 30 games at second base and 21 games at third base. He compiled a .243 batting average and was released by the Padres in December 1977.

Sutherland died in Monrovia, California, on December 16, 2024, at the age of 80.