Gary Sutherland

Gary Sutherland
Birthdate 09/27/1944
Death Date
Debut Year 1966
Year of Induction
Teams Astros, Cardinals, Expos, Padres, Phillies, Tigers
Positions Executive, Second Base, Shortstop

Gary Sutherland scored the first-ever run for the Montreal Expos franchise. He also recorded the first putout in a regular-season game in Canada.

Leave a comment

In the collection:

Gary Sutherland writes a less-than-glowing scouting report on Pedro Martinez before his MLB debut

Gary Sutherland writes a less-than-glowing scouting report on Pedro Martinez before his MLB debut

After retiring as a player, Gary Sutherland served the game for decades as a scout. It was in that capacity with the Dodgers that Sutherland wrote this report about a 20-year old pitcher named Pedro Martinez. Dated four months before Pedro’s debut, the report gives him a prospect key rank of 5
Gary Sutherland recounts his role in Tony Gwynn signing with the Padres

Gary Sutherland recounts his role in Tony Gwynn signing with the Padres

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 late
Tony Gwynn was an 8-time batting champ; he finished with 3,141 career hits

Tony Gwynn was an 8-time batting champ; he finished with 3,141 career hits

After the contract negotiations with Tony Gwynn and his father, young Tony reported to Walla Walla, Washington where Gary Sutherland was an instructor. Gwynn went on to lead the National League in batting eight times on his way to 3,141 hits and a Hall of Fame career. Shown here is his Topps rookie
Gary Sutherland scouts future Hall of Famer Mike Piazza before the catcher's debut

Gary Sutherland scouts future Hall of Famer Mike Piazza before the catcher's debut

The Dodgers sent scout Gary Sutherland to watch Mike Piazza and assess his readiness for the Major Leagues. Sutherland writes what he saw in this scouting report. “Making great progress – will develop into a good ML hitter w/above average power”. Sutherland praises the catcher but ends his r
Mike Piazza is one of the greatest offensive catchers in the history of the game

Mike Piazza is one of the greatest offensive catchers in the history of the game

Gary Sutherland foresaw Mike Piazza’s greatness before the catcher even played a big league game. Piazza’s career was elite. Only nine other MLB players hit 400 home runs with a .300 lifetime average while never strikeout out more than 110 times in a season. Mike Piazza’s name is on th
Gary Sutherland enjoyed a 13-year big league playing career

Gary Sutherland enjoyed a 13-year big league playing career

The Major League Baseball Players Association sent out questionnaires like this one to its players to determine what endorsements each man had. Today’s players compliment their baseball salary with off field endorsement. That wasn’t always the case. This document filled out by Gary Sutherland on May 23, 1974 shows him to have no endorsements whatsoever.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball…"

~Jacques Barzun, 1954