Former MLB relief pitcher Scott Sauerbeck died this week at the age of 53.
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.
One of Sauerbeck’s Pirates teammates said he died of a heart attack.
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.
Sauerbeck had been living in Palmetto, Fla., with his wife and children prior to his death.
