Gary Sutherland played more than 1,000 big league games from 1966-1978. Notably he scored the first run in Montreal Expos franchise history. He also recorded the first putout in a regular-season game played in Canada.
Upon his retirement, Sutherland became a scout for the Padres and Dodgers and later an assistant to the general manager with the Angels. Here he writes about an exchange with future Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn.
It’s a long road from college to the Major Leagues. Tony Gwynn’s started after the Padres drafted him in the 3rd round of the 1981 draft. Present the whole way was San Diego scout Gary Sutherland.
Here “Sudsy” recounts the earliest days of Gwynn’s road the greatness. In this letter the scout writes about contentious contract negotiations with Gwynn and his father.
When asked what he felt was a fair signing bonus for his son the older Gwynn suggested $40,000. The Padres countered with $12,500. Sutherland goes on to reveal that the 15-time All Star eventually signed for $25,000.
Sudsy was among Gwynn’s first professional coaches, guiding the young buck at Walla Walla, Washington. Sutherland writes of Gwynn thanking him more than a dozen years later.
Sutherland himself spent 13 years in the big leagues as a player before embarking on a career as a scout and front office executive.