Sutton's career comes full circle with Dodgers

In each of his five big league stops, Don Sutton proved to be a winner.

And on Aug. 10, 1988, the future Hall of Famer’s career ended where it began.

The Dodgers released Sutton that day after a 23-year big league pitching career. The durable right-hander, who never missed a turn in the rotation, is the Los Angeles Dodgers all-time leader in wins (233), losses (181), appearances (550), starts (533), innings pitched (3,816 1/3), strikeouts (2,696) and shutouts (52).

Sutton spent the first 15 seasons of his career with the Dodgers. After becoming a free agent in 1980, he spent the next seven seasons with four different teams, the Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics and California Angels.

The Angels released Sutton after the 1987 season. At age 42, he signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers.

In 1988, Sutton had a season record of 3-6, and a 3.92 ERA. He also spent several weeks on the disabled list with a sprained elbow. His contributions that season, however, helped the Dodgers win the National League West title. Los Angeles went on to win the World Series against the Oakland A’s.

At the time of his release from the Dodgers, Sutton was the winningest active pitcher in Major League Baseball.

Sutton had all of his career-best seasons with the Dodgers: 21 wins (1976), 2.21 ERA (1980), 293 innings pitched (1969), 40 starts (1974), 41 games (1969), 217 strikeouts (1969) and 18 complete games (1972).

In 1998, Sutton was elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. He received 81.6 percent of BBWAA votes.

“When you gave him the ball, you knew one thing – your pitcher was going to give you everything he had,” former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda said.

Sutton retired with a career record of 324 wins and 256 losses. Following Sutton’s Hall of Fame induction in 1998, the Dodgers retired his No. 20.