Gary Sutherland – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Gary Sutherland built a solid career as a utility infielder during Major League Baseball’s expansion era in the 1960s and 1970s. He played for several teams and always brought versatility and reliability to every roster he joined.

Sutherland retired from professional baseball in 1978 after spending over a decade in the majors. He played through some of baseball’s most exciting years, seeing new franchises pop up and the game itself change quite a bit.

From his early days breaking into pro ball to his final season, Sutherland’s journey shows the dedication and grit it takes to stick around in America’s pastime. His story gives a glimpse into his own achievements and the mark he left on teams and communities during his playing days.

Early Life and Background

Gary Sutherland was born on September 27, 1944, in Glendale, California. He really found his love for baseball as a kid.

His path from young athlete to pro ballplayer started with strong family support. He always seemed to have a natural knack for sports that showed up during his school years.

Family and Childhood

Gary Edward Sutherland grew up in a middle-class family in Glendale. His parents encouraged his interest in sports right from the start.

The Sutherlands cared a lot about both education and athletics. Gary’s dad worked in local business, and his mom focused on raising the kids.

Baseball quickly became Gary’s main focus as a child. He spent hours practicing in local parks and playing with neighborhood friends.

His coordination and competitive edge made him stand out. He showed promise as both a hitter and a fielder pretty early on.

The family’s support really mattered. They went to his games and gave him the push he needed to take baseball seriously.

Education and Early Interests

Gary attended Hoover High School in Glendale. He did well in the classroom and on the field.

At Hoover, he played several positions on the baseball team. Coaches liked his versatility and the way he could fit into different roles.

He managed to keep up good grades while staying committed to baseball. Teachers and coaches noticed his focus on both schoolwork and sports.

Gary played in summer baseball leagues to get more experience. Those games let him compete against tougher players outside of high school.

His performance at Hoover caught the eye of some college scouts. Gary’s steady play and work ethic made an impression.

Pathway to Professional Baseball

After high school, Gary went to the University of Southern California. He joined the USC Trojans baseball team, a program known for turning out big-league talent.

At USC, Gary played under coach Rod Dedeaux. The program’s tough training helped him sharpen his skills.

Gary started drawing attention from major league scouts during college. His ability to play different infield spots made him a strong prospect.

The Detroit Tigers picked Gary in the amateur draft after his college career. That was the moment his pro baseball journey really began.

He signed his first pro contract and started in the minors. Suddenly, the dream of playing in the majors didn’t seem so far off.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Gary Sutherland played in Major League Baseball for 13 seasons, from 1966 to 1978, and earned a reputation as a reliable middle infielder. He spent time with five different teams, and people knew him for his solid defensive skills and steady offense.

MLB Debut and Initial Years

Gary made his Major League debut with the Philadelphia Phillies on September 17, 1966, at just 22 years old. Walking onto the field at that level for the first time must’ve felt surreal.

In his first full season in 1967, Sutherland played 49 games for the Phillies. He mostly covered second base and shortstop, showing off the versatility that ended up defining his career.

He hit .241 as a rookie, though he didn’t get a ton of at-bats. His defense looked solid, but he still needed time to adjust to major league pitching.

In those early years, Sutherland kept improving. Managers gave him more playing time as he developed.

Key Teams Played For

The Philadelphia Phillies gave Sutherland his first shot from 1966 to 1968. He learned the ropes of big-league baseball during these years.

His longest stint came with the Montreal Expos from 1969 to 1975. The new franchise picked him up in their first season, and he became a key part of their early days.

Sutherland held down second base for Montreal for several seasons. He helped give the young team some much-needed stability in the infield.

The Houston Astros picked him up in 1975, and he played there until 1976. He brought some veteran experience to a team with lots of young players.

He wrapped up his career with short stops on the San Diego Padres and Detroit Tigers in 1977 and 1978.

Positions and Playing Style

Sutherland mostly played second base, but he filled in at other infield spots when needed. Managers valued his steady glove and ability to adapt.

He had pretty good range and soft hands at second. He turned double plays smoothly and rarely made costly mistakes.

At the plate, he was a contact hitter who focused more on getting on base than hitting home runs. He just wanted to put the ball in play and move runners along.

He batted right-handed and usually hit in the lower part of the lineup. He knew his role and played it well.

Career Timeline Highlights

1966-1968: Broke in with the Phillies, learning the big-league game and earning more playing time.

1969: Joined the Montreal Expos in their first season, becoming part of their history.

1970-1973: Locked down second base for Montreal, playing over 140 games in several seasons.

1974: Had one of his best years offensively, batting .267 and scoring a career-high in runs.

1975-1976: Traded to the Astros, where he kept up his steady play as a veteran.

1977-1978: Split his final seasons between San Diego and Detroit, retiring at 34.

Notable Achievements and Milestones

Gary Sutherland put together a solid 13-year MLB career with consistent defense and steady hitting. His biggest season came with the 1973 Detroit Tigers, and his ability to play multiple infield spots made him valuable to five different teams.

Statistical Highlights

Sutherland finished with a .254 career batting average over 1,562 games. He racked up 1,007 career hits and scored 438 runs.

His top offensive year came in 1973 with Detroit. He hit .281 with 10 home runs and 56 RBIs in 142 games, which was his best season for both average and RBIs.

He showed good plate discipline throughout his career. Sutherland posted a solid on-base percentage of .318 and struck out only 580 times in over 4,000 plate appearances.

Defensively, he played mostly second base, shortstop, and third, and posted a .971 fielding percentage. Managers always knew they could count on him in the field.

Significant Games and Moments

Sutherland debuted in the majors on September 6, 1966, with the Phillies. He played 16 games that rookie season and got his first taste of the big leagues.

His trade to Detroit in 1973 changed things for him. The Tigers picked him up from Houston, and he quickly became their regular second baseman. That move led to his most productive season.

One of his standout games came during Detroit’s 1973 season. He drove in four runs against the Oakland Athletics to help the Tigers win a crucial game. Moments like that showed his knack for coming through when it mattered.

Sutherland played his last major league game on October 1, 1978, with the Milwaukee Brewers. By the end, he’d suited up for five different organizations in both leagues.

Awards and Honors

Sutherland never picked up big individual awards like All-Star nods or Gold Gloves. Still, his teams recognized what he brought through his steady play and years in the league.

His biggest team achievement came with the 1973 Detroit Tigers, who won 85 games. Sutherland’s solid work at second base helped hold their infield together.

Teammates and coaches respected him for his professionalism. He could fill in at multiple positions and always seemed to help his team.

Honestly, just sticking around for 13 years in the majors is a feat in itself. Not many players last that long by being so reliable.

1978 Retirement and Career Completion

Gary Sutherland wrapped up his pro baseball career in 1978 after 13 MLB seasons. He played for six different teams and always filled his role as a dependable infielder.

Circumstances of Retirement

Sutherland retired at age 33 after the 1978 season with the Detroit Tigers. By then, he’d shifted from being an everyday player to more of a bench guy.

His playing time dropped off quite a bit in those last years. Younger players were coming up, and age started to catch up to him.

The Tigers didn’t offer him a contract for 1979. Sutherland chose to retire rather than look for another team.

Money also played a part in his decision. Baseball salaries back in the late ’70s just weren’t what they are now, so a lot of players needed to find new careers after hanging up their cleats.

Last Season Performance

In his final season in 1978, Sutherland played 56 games for the Tigers. He hit .250 with 11 hits in 44 at-bats, mostly coming off the bench or filling in on defense.

His last major league hit came on September 15, 1978, against the Brewers. That single to left field was the last offensive stat of his 13-year career.

Sutherland’s final game was on September 30, 1978, in Detroit’s season finale. He came in as a defensive sub at second base in the eighth inning.

Throughout that season, he mentored younger players and brought veteran leadership to the clubhouse. He was the kind of guy teammates could lean on during tough games.

Immediate Aftermath and Legacy

After retiring, Sutherland stayed close to the game by coaching and working with youth baseball programs in California. He wanted to give back to the sport that gave him so much.

His career stats included 1,015 games played and a .243 batting average. He finished with 681 hits, 267 runs, and 172 RBIs.

Sutherland’s biggest strength was his versatility. He played second, short, and third for several teams, always filling in wherever he was needed.

Former teammates remembered him as a dependable player who got the most out of his abilities. Coaches and other players respected his work ethic and steady approach.

Post-Retirement Life

After leaving baseball in 1978, Gary Sutherland moved into business and stayed involved in the game through coaching and community work. He focused on building a stable life after baseball and raising his family.

Transition After Baseball

Sutherland faced the same challenge a lot of retired players do—figuring out what comes next after a long MLB career. Like plenty of guys from his era, he had to adjust quickly to life outside pro sports.

He struggled at first with the shift from baseball’s structure to regular life. The travel and team environment had been his world for over a decade.

Some transition challenges he faced:

• Losing his athletic identity
• Needing new income
• Adjusting to life without baseball’s routine

Sutherland made an effort to stay connected to baseball. He looked for coaching jobs and baseball instruction gigs.

He also had to think about his family’s needs during this big change. Financial planning became a priority as he moved on from his playing days.

Later Occupations and Involvement

After he retired from baseball, Sutherland jumped into the business world. He took on different roles, leaning on the leadership skills he’d picked up during his playing days.

He got pretty involved in coaching youth baseball around his community. Sharing his pro experience with young players seemed to come naturally to him.

Post-retirement activities included:

• Youth baseball coaching
• Business ventures
• Community involvement
• Baseball instruction

Sometimes, Sutherland showed up at old-timers’ games and alumni events. He used these get-togethers to keep in touch with old teammates and even a few rivals.

He also worked as a baseball instructor, teaching the basics to amateur players. Since he played as a utility guy, he could teach a bunch of different positions.

He stayed active in the baseball world by volunteering his time. Sutherland helped out with local programs and development projects, giving back to the sport however he could.

Personal Life and Interests

After hanging up his cleats, Sutherland really focused on his family. Finally, he had time for his wife and kids, without the grind of a baseball schedule.

He started picking up new interests outside of baseball. These hobbies helped him figure out who he was beyond just being an athlete.

Personal interests included:

• Family activities
• Community service
• Outdoor recreation
• Local business involvement

He kept living in some of the places where he’d played professionally. Over time, he built strong relationships in those communities.

Every once in a while, he’d sit down for interviews about his playing days and share stories from the majors. Those memories kept pieces of baseball history from the 1960s and 1970s alive.

He kept up friendships with old teammates long after his playing days ended. Those connections made the shift to regular life a little easier.

Legacy and Lasting Impact

Gary Sutherland spent 13 years in the majors, and honestly, he left a real mark on teammates and the baseball community. People who played with him, and fans who watched, still remember his steady presence and how he always handled himself professionally.

Influence on Teammates and Baseball Community

Throughout his career, Sutherland earned a reputation as a reliable teammate who took the game seriously. Younger players looked up to him, especially when they were just getting used to the majors.

While he played for the Detroit Tigers, he mentored several infielders. He’d share what he knew about different positions and helped teammates handle the mental side of baseball.

He could play almost anywhere on the field, which made him valuable to every team. Managers liked his flexibility and the way he’d take on any role with a good attitude.

Sutherland’s work ethic stood out to everyone around him. He always prepped hard for games and kept his skills sharp. That kind of dedication rubbed off on teammates, pushing them to take their own preparation seriously too.

Recognition and Remembrance

Baseball fans from the 1970s still talk about Sutherland as a dependable player who really helped out several competitive teams.

He got his most notable recognition while playing for the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies.

Sutherland’s stats make it clear he stayed consistent over 13 seasons. He played in 1,208 games and kept a .257 batting average, moving around to different defensive spots as needed.

Fans who followed the 1970s Detroit Tigers remember how Sutherland brought some stability, especially when the roster kept changing.

Local baseball historians in Detroit and Philly sometimes bring up his career when they’re talking about those teams from that decade.

You’ll still find his name in old team record books and stat compilations from his playing days.