About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . 1. Bruce Sutter's Legendary Splitter and Grip. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top [class$='button-menu--icon'] span{background-color:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ When Bruce would get a little off kilter mechanically, hed bring in Mike to help him and hed get it back.\n\nSutter failed to convert a save in his final outing of the 1984 season, leaving him tied with Royals closer Dan Quisenberry for the then-MLB record of 45 saves. When throwing this pitch, throw the palm-side wrist of the throwing-hand directly at the target while keeping your index and middle fingers extended upward. He saved just three games in 1986 before undergoing shoulder surgery to repair an injured rotator cuff, the third arm surgery of his career. It's important for pitchers, parents and coaches to learn a proper slider grip and to learn correct throwing technique of a slider to ensure and promote arm-health. It helps to develop a good "feel" for the pitch, which is important since the changeup is a finesse pitch. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu--icon{background:none;padding:0px;width:24px;height:18px;position:relative;margin:0px auto;-webkit-transform:rotate(0deg);-ms-transform:rotate(0deg);transform:rotate(0deg);-webkit-transition:0.5s ease-in-out;transition:0.5s ease-in-out;cursor:pointer;}/*!sc*/ How To Grip And Throw A Four Seam Fastball. Mike Roarke, a Cubs coach from 1978-80 and a Cardinals coach from 1984-90, became something of a personal pitching coach for Sutter and his split-fingered fastball. /*-->*/ .mHQYb .mlb-header__login-menu{background:#ffffff;border-top:solid 4px #002867;box-shadow:0 2px 4px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.2);box-shadow:6px 6px 15px -3px rgba(0,0,0,0.25);left:-99em;opacity:0;padding:10px;position:absolute;right:0;-webkit-transition:opacity 1ms ease 1ms;transition:opacity 1ms ease 1ms;width:160px;z-index:99992;}/*!sc*/ body{margin:0;}/*!sc*/ b,strong{font-weight:bolder;}/*!sc*/ In the mid-1980s, former MLB pitcher Roger . .hHLkAw input::-webkit-input-placeholder{color:#aaaaaa;}/*!sc*/ Bruce Sutter, one of the best splitter pitchers in the history of the game, says that it is very important to put your thumb on the back seam, not the front seam. A six-time All-Star, Sutter led the National League in saves for five years and won the 1979 Cy Young Award. @media (min-width:768px){h1.Styles__HeadlineContainer-sc-19rm04l-0{font-size:2.488rem;}h2.Styles__HeadlineContainer-sc-19rm04l-0{font-size:1.44rem;}}/*!sc*/ It was made popular by future Hall of Fame relief pitcher Bruce Sutter, who dumbfounded hitters with a brutal splitter as a closer in the late '70s through the 1980s. This enables a pitcher to apply pressure to the outer-half of the ball with the index finger. (Think about this as giving someone standing directly in front of you a "thumbs down" sign with your throwing hand.) .blUWSx .share-button__link--message-icon{width:10px;margin-right:5px;}/*!sc*/ Its more for a guy thats less-defined at the higher levels that hasnt had as much success and we think that maybe has some intangibles to pitch in the big leagues and its a good addition pitch to maybe get them over the hump to be a big league pitcher. One way to develop "fastball mechanics" but changeup speed is to practice throwing your changeup as you long toss (throwing beyond 90 feet). .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu--icon span:nth-child(2){-webkit-transform:rotate(45deg);-ms-transform:rotate(45deg);transform:rotate(45deg);}/*!sc*/ This is the curveball grip that I used. Watching Sutter use his 86-m.p.h. I wanted to be with my boys.. @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-medium.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-medium.woff') format('woff');font-weight:500;font-style:normal;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ As a group, these 16 pitchers missed a total of 300 days, with only a quarter of them missing any time at all (though Morrow was subjected to an innings limit). We are saddened over the passing of Bruce Sutter.Sutter was a dominant pitcher and a member of the '82 World Series Championship team.He is a member of both the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the Cardinals Hall of Fame.Our thoughts are with Bruce's family and friends. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu--icon span:nth-child(2),.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu--icon span:nth-child(3){top:8px;}/*!sc*/ @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold.woff2') format('woff2'), url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-bold.woff') format('woff');font-weight:700;font-style:normal;}/*!sc*/ .fuMUTu{pointer-events:none;width:16px;height:16px;display:inline-block;overflow:visible;fill:#ffffff;stroke:#ffffff;}/*!sc*/ The Cubs offered Sutter $350,000, about a 50 percent increase from his $225,000 salary in 1979. Splitter pioneer Sutter dead at 69 - PressReader How To Grip And Throw A Beginner's Curveball. ","type":"markdown"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2022-10-14T18:45:46.055Z","description":"MLB Tonight reflects on the life and career of Bruce Sutter after he passed away at the age of 69","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:02:49","mp4AvcPlayback":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2022/2022-10/14/5fd2ae3c-3b06190f-19f3684e-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","slug":"sutter-s-mlb-career-remembered","tags":[{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"teamid-138","title":"St. Louis Cardinals"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"teamid-112","title":"Chicago Cubs"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"teamid-144","title":"Atlanta Braves"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"playerid-123004","title":"Bruce Sutter"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"mlb-network","title":"MLB Network"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"mlbn-mlb-tonight","title":"MLB Tonight"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"no-pre-roll","title":"no pre-roll"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"tribute","title":"tribute"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"classic","title":"classic"}],"templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/ayogwo55gknjmpu3unc2","title":"Sutter's MLB career remembered ","type":"video","url":"/video/sutter-s-mlb-career-remembered"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"I think he was sort of a precursor to what Mariano Rivera did with the cutter -- Bruce did it with one pitch and that was the split-fingered fastball, Hall of Famer and 1982 teammate Jim Kaat told MLB.com on Friday. One thing you can do is apply a thin coat ofnail polishorfingernail strengthener. Its one of the greatest stretches by an individual player and Cubs team in franchise history. After his retirement, he focused on raising his family. He agreed to receive $750,000 a year in salary with Atlanta and defer the remainder of his money, with the Braves paying him $1.12 million over a 30-year period. The grip causes the ball to tumble quickly down in the strike zone, tempting hitters to chase it in the dirt. Origin The splitter evolved from the forkball. READ THIS NEXT: Pitching Grips (Cheat Sheet): How To Throw 8 Different Baseball Pitches, TOPICS COVERED IN THIS ARTICLE pitch counts, check out my conditioning and throwing programs for baseball pitchers of all ages, Pitching Grips (Cheat Sheet): How To Throw 8 Different Baseball Pitches. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button.locale,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__button.search{display:none;}/*!sc*/ Odds & lines subject to change. How do you throw your pitches? Rest in peace. .hHLkAw input.right{padding-right:32px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item--inner::after{display:none;content:'';width:0;height:0;position:absolute;left:auto;right:-1px;top:33%;z-index:calc(99992 + 1);border-color:transparent #ffffff transparent transparent;border-style:solid;border-width:8px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav--teams__team--logo{height:24px;width:24px;padding:2px 2px 2px 0;margin-right:2px;display:inline-block;}/*!sc*/ If you think about it, every five days, throwing it 25 times isnt too bad not abusing it.. data-styled.g118[id="sc-global-iSmFBW1"]{content:"sc-global-iSmFBW1,"}/*!sc*/ 2010 was a good year health-wise for splitter-throwing pitchers. Bruce Sutter, Hall of Fame Splitters (and Grip). - twitter.com The average speed of all splitters in the majors is 84-85 mph. .drUhS path{fill:#000000;}/*!sc*/ #react-header{width:100%;}/*!sc*/ By spreading his index and middle fingers farther apart on the ball when he pitched, the right-hander developed a split-fingered fastball that stunned opposing batters and gave him a second chance at the game he loved before his Major League career even began. ESPN.com: MLB - Staying back is key to hitting splitter The Washington Senators selected Sutter in the 21st round of the 1970 draft, but because he was not yet 18 years old he was unable to sign a contract. The Hall of Fame family will forever celebrate his achievements on the field and remember his passion for his family and friends. As a pioneer of the pitch, Sutter paved the way for the many pitchers who throw splitters today. Bruce Sutter, split-finger ace and Hall of Famer, dies at 69 But we stayed in touch and considered each other great friends. .drUhS rect{fill:#000000;stroke:#000000;}/*!sc*/ During the prime of his career, Sutter led the NL in saves for four straight seasons and five times in six years before joining the Braves as a free agent after the 1984 season. The splitter comes in with tight rotation and good velocity and dives But Sutters performance declined in 1985 and after the season he had shoulder surgery. Learn about my workout programs for pitchers The split finger was a dominant pitch for Ron Darling on the 1986 World Champion New York Mets staff. Even though hitters knew it was coming, they still werent able to hit it. But in a Roger Kahn / Bruce Sutter interview in Kahn's book,The Head Game: Baseball Seen from the Pitcher's Mound, he points out that this is not the case. ::-webkit-file-upload-button{-webkit-appearance:button;font:inherit;}/*!sc*/ Bruce Sutter pitched for the Cardinals from 1981-1984 and saved Game 7 of the 1982 World Series. .hUHmCp > article > header,.hUHmCp > article > section{grid-column:1 / span 12;}/*!sc*/ button,input,optgroup,select,textarea{font-family:inherit;font-size:100%;line-height:1.15;margin:0;}/*!sc*/ When throwing a two-seam fastball, your index and middle fingers are placed directly on top of the narrow seams of the baseball (as shown in the picture on the left). A six-time All-Star, Sutter led the National League in saves for five years and won the 1979 Cy Young Award. 20 than he did early on in his career, and Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer thinks more pitchers are going to cutters and sinkers instead. They both had that same calm demeanor and could handle ninth innings. He would win both awards again in 1981, 1982 and 1984. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__subnav__item:focus{outline:1px dotted #041E42;}/*!sc*/ I have placed the long seam of the baseball in between my index- and middle-fingers, and I have put my thumb on the opposite seam underneath the baseball (as shown in the first picture above). Its not necessarily the pitch. He added, Im for anything thats going to make a guy successful and give him a chance to play in the big leagues.. A three-finger changeup is a good off-speed pitch for younger baseball pitchers and for those who do not have big hands. @font-face{font-family:'proxima-nova';src:url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-semibold.woff2') format('woff2'),url('https://www.mlbstatic.com/mlb.com/fonts/proxima-nova-semibold.woff') format('woff');font-weight:600;font-style:normal;font-display:fallback;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top .header__nav-top__button-menu{cursor:pointer;}/*!sc*/ St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Bruce Sutter delivers the ball to the plate en route to his record setting 38th save of the season against the New York Mets in this Sept. 4, 1984 file photo. @media (min-width:500px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__secondary-logos{-webkit-flex-basis:60%;-ms-flex-preferred-size:60%;flex-basis:60%;}}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g159[id="newsletterOptinstyle__Input-sc-d7sh2p-4"]{content:"kwDmpG,"}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:768px){body.article .ad-top-container{min-height:106px;}}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__nav-item:last-child{border:none;}/*!sc*/ He was a true pioneer in the game, changing the role of the late inning reliever.","type":"markdown"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2022-10-14T17:35:07.146Z","description":"Alanna Rizzo and Chris Russo break the news of Bruce Sutter's passing and reflect on his historic career on this edition of High Heat","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:06:22","mp4AvcPlayback":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2022/2022-10/14/c0a35e9e-a62d0b71-27fd3826-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","slug":"remembering-the-late-bruce-sutter","tags":[{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"teamid-112","title":"Chicago Cubs"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"teamid-138","title":"St. Louis Cardinals"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"teamid-144","title":"Atlanta Braves"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"mlb-network","title":"MLB Network"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"mlbn-high-heat","title":"MLBN High Heat"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"tribute","title":"tribute"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"no-pre-roll","title":"no pre-roll"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"playerid-123004","title":"Bruce Sutter"}],"templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/upload/{formatInstructions}/mlb/ir7bfexera2vdoihtg6a","title":"Remembering the late Bruce Sutter","type":"video","url":"/video/remembering-the-late-bruce-sutter"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Kaat said he and Sutter talked often during their two-year stint together in St. Louis about the split-fingered fastball, and how it saved the latters career. He was a six-time All-Star and a four-time winner of the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award. .cHcHkC{font-size:1.2rem;line-height:1.2;margin-top:0;max-height:48px;overflow:hidden;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;width:100%;-webkit-line-clamp:2;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;}/*!sc*/ Thirty-three years after his budding career appeared to be over before it had barely begun, Bruce Sutter will . The Baseball Hall of Fame said Bruce Sutter died in Cartersville, Georgia. The beginners curveball is a great pitch for younger pitchers. .hHLkAw input::-ms-clear{display:none;}/*!sc*/ Sutter was killing everybody with the splitter because hitters had never seen anything like it . Splitter (FS) | Glossary | MLB.com Bruce Sutter, Hall of Fame Splitters (and Grip). data-styled.g155[id="newsletterOptinstyle__Form-sc-d7sh2p-0"]{content:"fAmXvR,"}/*!sc*/ Im a believer that its not pitches that hurt people, its poor deliveries, Cooper said. Sutter and the split-fingered fastball -- a pitch he learned from Cubs Minor League instructor Fred Martin following an arm surgery in 1973 -- became forever linked in the history of the game. Sutter recorded 23 saves in 1985 before injuries began to curtail his career. The two pitches are gripped in almost the same way, except a splitter is generally held with more ease and placed toward the top of the fingers. Bruce Sutter, a split-finger ace and Hall of Famer, dies at 69 Im not even saying theres proven data that a split-finger hurts somebody, but its always in the back of your mind or in the back of their mind that this might not be a good idea and lets work on a changeup instead.. While his induction proved that he did indeed belong among baseballs greats, Sutter also found he belonged outside of baseball. Do you know how to throw a split-finger fastball? The modern splitter is often credited to baseball coach Fred Martin who threw the pitch in the minor leagues as a changeup of sorts. .mHQYb .p-search__list--multiple-type .p-search-item--team + .p-search-item--player:before{border-top:1px solid #ddd;content:'Players';left:10px;right:10px;}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb .p-search-item__container:hover{background-color:#e6f2ff75;color:#333333;}/*!sc*/ Sutter rarely threw his splitter for a strike, but it was difficult for hitters to lay off. The Baseball Hall of Fame said Bruce Sutter died in Cartersville, Georgia. Notice that Penny cut his splitter usage in half upon returning from injury and Morrow scrapped the pitch for the 2011 season. This A six-time All-Star, Sutter led the National League in saves for five years and won the 1979 Cy Young Award. Sutter recently was diagnosed with cancer and died in hospice. Once I was done playing, I walked away, Sutter said. Theres a fairly strong feeling that were not going to teach anybody the split-finger at the early stage, the Reds pitching coach Bryan Price said. Still, it doesn't appear that pitchers who are throwing a splitter are at a higher risk of injury than pitchers who do not. To throw a circle changeup make - quite literally - a circle or an "OK" gesture with your throwing hand (using your thumb and index fingers). a{background-color:transparent;}/*!sc*/ forbid young players from learning the splitter, average starting pitcher has a 39 percent chance of going on the DL, The Royals are on the verge of returning to relevancy, Morning Mound Visit: Reds sign Tommy Pham to one-year deal, Morning Mound Visit: Ghost runner rule reinstated, Offensive woes will hold back elite pitching in Guardians maiden voyage, Morning Mound Visit: Rockies extend Ryan McMahon. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__nav-item--spotlight{background-color:#333333;}/*!sc*/ @media (min-width:768px){.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top{padding:0 16px;}}/*!sc*/ data-styled.g160[id="newsletterOptinstyle__InputWrapper-sc-d7sh2p-5"]{content:"hYmwpY,"}/*!sc*/ WINNETKA Congratulations to Bruce Sutter on his Hall of Fame induction. fieldset{padding:0.35em 0.75em 0.625em;}/*!sc*/ He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on through his family and through Cardinal Nation!. How To Throw A Filthy Splitter (12 Pictures Of Grips) He was 69. But the beginners curveball is a good place to start. data-styled.g20[id="imagestyle__ImageWrapper-sc-xw1tzz-0"]{content:"evGxub,cWQXyp,"}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header.mlb-header--side-nav-open .header__nav-top__nav-items{display:none;}/*!sc*/ However, he was unable to attend the Cards' 40-year anniversary celebration of the 1982 championship team on Aug. 13 because of the lingering illness that ultimately led to his death while in hospice care. .kKeedG:hover{border-bottom:none;color:#0048AB;}/*!sc*/ The irony, of course, was that Sutter used a tailing fastball to strike out Thomas when it was the split-fingered fastball that helped him become one of the games most dynamic closers. .dLQAwR .contributor__text--twitter{font-size:0.8rem;font-weight:600;}/*!sc*/ [type="search"]::-webkit-search-decoration{-webkit-appearance:none;}/*!sc*/ The grip is similar to the two-seam fastball, but Now it is viewed as more of a pitch of last resort for the veteran trying to hang on for a few more years or for the prospect who desperately needs it to get to the next level. ","type":"markdown"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2006-07-30T16:11:00Z","description":"7/30/06: Bruce Sutter shares his acceptance speech as he is inducted to the Hall of Fame","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:17:26","mp4AvcPlayback":"https://mlb-cuts-diamond.mlb.com/FORGE/2020/2020-12/10/7356fbee-8d68ca6b-71eacfc4-csvm-diamondx64-asset_1280x720_59_4000K.mp4","slug":"sutter-inducted-into-hall-of-fame","tags":[{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"teamid-138","title":"St. Louis Cardinals"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"teamid-112","title":"Chicago Cubs"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"playerid-123004","title":"Bruce Sutter"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"classic","title":"classic"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"baseball-hall-of-fame","title":"Baseball Hall of Fame"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"baseball-hall-of-fame-induction","title":"Hall of Fame Induction"},{"__typename":"Tag","slug":"the-vault","title":"The Vault"}],"templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/nlaetwckxiizf1edacnw","title":"Sutter inducted into Hall of Fame","type":"video","url":"/video/sutter-inducted-into-hall-of-fame"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"Even though his time with the Braves was mostly marred by injuries -- he had just 40 saves and a 4.55 ERA -- he is still remembered throughout baseball as a selfless person and a strong teammate to those around him.\n\nBruce and I spent a lot of time together, and I was as close to him as any teammate I ever played with, said Kaat, who spent seven decades in and around Major League Baseball as a player, coach and broadcaster. .kwDmpG{display:block;font-weight:500;}/*!sc*/ A lot of his saves were 2 to 2 1/3 innings. To throw a splitter, split the middle and index fingers and grip the ball along the widest point of the ball. At its release point, try to turn the ball over a little to get more movement. He is a member of both teams Halls of Fame. A six-time All-Star, Sutter led the National League in saves for five years and won the 1979 Cy Young Award. .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-top__logo--mlb a{text-align:center;}/*!sc*/ During his career, he fought through devastating elbow and shoulder injuries and underwent three surgeries, yet retained his calm demeanor and ability to stay poised under pressure as he became the first pitcher to lead the National League in saves five times. bruce sutter splitter grip - kipceramika.com data-styled.g144[id="Styles__StickyHeaderContainer-sc-1wye7kw-0"]{content:"ggWmAj,"}/*!sc*/ Kevin Gausman's splitter is one of the filthiest pitches in baseball. However, as with all off-speed pitches, the arm speed and mechanics of your pitching delivery have to be the same as your fastball. Twelve years in the majors and 300 saves later, Sutter had become one of the most dominant relievers of the late 1970s and early 1980s, all because of a different grip on the ball. data-styled.g66[id="textInputstyle__styledTextInput-sc-q34wel-2"]{content:"hHLkAw,"}/*!sc*/ This TV sports report has the highlights scroll in to 1:00 to start watching. .kKeedG{color:#057AFF;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom:none;font-family:"proxima-nova","open Sans","Helvetica","Arial",sans-serif;}/*!sc*/ We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Jamye, and his children.. Bruce Sutter introduced the pitch in. @media (min-width:1024px){article > header{padding:0;}}/*!sc*/ .mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__main-nav ::-webkit-scrollbar-track,.mHQYb header.mlb-header .header__nav-side__main-nav ::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb{background:transparent;}/*!sc*/ Don't jam the ball past the midway point of your fingers, but the grip is firm. The ball will typically slow down 8-10 mph by the time it reaches the front of the plate. Sutter played 12 seasons in the big leagues from 1976-88, including four years with St. Louis, before being elected to the Hall of Fame in 2006 as the first pitcher inducted without ever starting a game. Sutter eventually got hurt in August, and perhaps not coincidentally, the Cubs started losing games. .mHQYb header.mlb-header a:focus,.mHQYb header.mlb-header button:focus,.mHQYb header.mlb-header [class*='__nav']:focus{outline:1px dotted #fff;}/*!sc*/