The former Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher, Scott Sauerbeck, who still holds a team record, passed away at the age of 53 on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, in Bradenton, Florida. Various sources have reported that Sauerbeck died from a heart attack at his residence. The news came as the Pirates were beginning their 2025 spring training games in Bradenton, casting a shadow over the organization and its supporters.
Sauerbeck’s professional baseball career started when he was selected by the New York Mets in the 23rd round of the 1994 MLB draft, after playing college baseball at Miami University. He eventually transferred to Pittsburgh as a Rule 5 Draft pick in 1998 and made his major league debut with the Pirates a year later.
In his inaugural season with the Pirates, Sauerbeck put up impressive numbers, posting a 2.00 ERA in 67 2/3 innings with 55 strikeouts and two saves. This strong beginning laid the groundwork for what would turn out to be a successful stint with the Pirates.
During his tenure with the Pirates, Sauerbeck featured in 341 games and recorded a 3.56 ERA with a 19-15 record. His standout accomplishment was in 2002 when he set a team record by featuring in 78 games, a record he shares with fellow left-handed pitcher Tony Watson. This record for the most games pitched by a left-handed pitcher in a single season remains unbroken to date.
The Pittsburgh Pirates expressed their condolences on their social media platforms: “The Pirates family mourns the passing of Scott Sauerbeck. Scott played for the Bucs from 1999-2003 and shares the club record for most games pitched by an LHP in one season. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
Following his time with the Pirates, Sauerbeck was traded to the Boston Red Sox mid-2003 season, where he made 26 appearances and one postseason appearance. After Boston, Sauerbeck joined the Cleveland Indians but was sidelined for the entire 2004 season due to an injury.
He came back to the game in 2005 playing for the Cleveland Indians. He pitched 35⅔ innings in 58 games with a 4.04 ERA. His tenure with the Indians extended into 2006, where he played 24 games before being let go. He then signed with the Oakland Athletics to complete the 2006 season.
Jon Pavlisko, former head baseball coach at Miami University, who coached Sauerbeck during his college years from 1991-94, remembered him as a committed player.
Over the span of his seven-year MLB career, Sauerbeck achieved a 20-17 record with a 3.82 ERA and five saves in 471 games. He struck out 389 batters in 386.1 innings, illustrating his effectiveness as a reliever.
After his release by the Athletics, Sauerbeck tried to revive his career with the Cincinnati Reds in 2008 but never played in a major league game for them, leading to his retirement from professional baseball.
Aside from his statistical accomplishments, Sauerbeck was known for his ability to minimize left-handed batters, keeping their batting averages low throughout his career. This ability made him a crucial component in the bullpen for the teams he represented, particularly the Pirates.
Sauerbeck’s influence on the Pirates organization remains significant. His record for the most appearances in a single season by a left-handed pitcher still stands over two decades later. His consistent performance throughout his five seasons with the Pirates solidified his reputation as a reliable reliever for the team.
As the Pirates start their spring training games, the memory of their former teammate, Sauerbeck, will undoubtedly be in their thoughts as they embark on the 2025 season in Bradenton, Florida, where he spent his final days.
