Former MLB pitcher Scott Sauerbeck’s sudden death in February shocked many fans and the baseball community. He was only 53 years old. Sauerbeck had played for several teams during his career, including the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, Oakland Athletics, and Cleveland Indians.
According to a report from TMZ, which cited the District 12 Medical Examiner’s Office in Florida, Sauerbeck died due to complications from acute influenza A and streptococcal pharyngitis, with hypertensive heart disease also contributing. The autopsy confirmed his death was natural and that his toxicology report was clear of substances.
Sauerbeck left a lasting mark in MLB history, especially with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he still holds the record for most games pitched in a season by a left-handed pitcher. Before his professional career, he was a standout at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, leading to his selection in the 23rd round of the 1994 MLB Draft by the New York Mets.
The Pirates acquired him in the Rule 5 Draft in December 1998, and he made his MLB debut in 1999. He impressed in his rookie season, posting a 4-1 record and 2.00 ERA over 65 appearances out of the bullpen. Over the next few years, Sauerbeck became a reliable left-handed relief pitcher in the National League.
In July 2003, Pittsburgh traded him to the Red Sox, where he struggled with a 6.48 ERA in 26 games. That year, Boston reached the playoffs but fell to the Yankees in the AL Championship Series. Sauerbeck pitched in one playoff game, allowing a two-run double to Jorge Posada.
His career was derailed in 2004 due to shoulder surgery for a torn labrum and rotator cuff damage. Though he returned to the majors, appearing for Cleveland and Oakland between 2005 and 2006, these were his final seasons before retirement. Despite the ups and downs, Sauerbeck remained a respected figure in baseball for his contributions as a dependable bullpen arm.
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