Books and articles about Rick Sutcliffe

Change of scenery always seemed to help Rick Sutcliffe. The 6'7" 215-lb native of Independence, Missouri followed in a long line of star Dodger rookies, but by 1980 he was exiled to the Los Angeles bullpen. Rescued by Cleveland, he led the AL in ERA in 1982. By 1984, unhappy playing with a noncontender, Sutcliffe was ready to become a free agent when he was dealt to the Cubs. After 4-5 start in Cleveland, he went 16-1 for Chicago to earn a unanimous vote as NL Cy Young Award winner, the first winner ever to split a season between the AL and NL. He won Chicago's pennant-clinching game and Game One of the 1984 LCS, but lost the decisive fifth game. Injuries and control problems hampered Sutcliffe following his great 1984 campaign. He rebounded in 1987 to lead the NL in wins (18-10) and, healthy again, was the club's workhorse starter that year and the next two seasons. (ME)