Former MLB relief pitcher Scott Sauerbeck died earlier this year at the age of 53, and some new details surrounding his death have surfaced.
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Feb. 20 that Sauerbeck had died, but no official cause of death was given. According to an autopsy report from a medical examiner’s office in Sarasota, Fla., that was obtained by TMZ, Sauberbeck died following complications from the flu.
The official report lists Sauerbeck’s cause of death as “sequela of acute influenza A, including streptococcal pharyngitis.” Hypertensive heart disease was also listed as a contributory factor, which may explain why one of Sauerbeck’s former teammates said in February that Sauerbeck had a heart attack.
Sauerbeck pitched seven seasons in MLB from 1999-2006 and was best known for his five seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1999-2003. In 2002, he pitched in 78 games for the Pirates, which set the franchise’s record for most games pitched in a season by a left-handed pitcher. In 2014, Tony Watson tied Sauerbeck’s franchise record for a southpaw.
Sauerbeck was a Rule 5 draft pick by the Pirates and blossomed with the team. In his rookie season in 1999, Sauerbeck went 4-1 with a 2.00 ERA and two saves. In 2002, he went 5-4 with a 2.30 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 62.2 innings.
Sauerbeck was traded by the Pirates to the Red Sox in 2003 and missed the 2004 season due to an injury. He played for Cleveland in 2005 and with the Indians and Oakland in 2006.
