Angels Say Goodbye to Sutton, 42 : Pitcher, a 22-Year Veteran With 321 Wins, Is Released

Don Sutton, 11th on major league baseball’s all-time list with 321 victories, won’t return to the Angels next season, the team announced Friday.

Mike Port, the club’s senior vice president and general manager, said the Angels had decided not to pick up the option on Sutton’s contract and have placed him on waivers for the purpose of giving Sutton, 42, his unconditional release.

“We appreciate what Don has done for this ballclub and baseball in general,” Port said. “He has given us some wonderful moments. Don is a good friend and a well-respected professional for what he has accomplished throughout his career.”

Sutton was acquired by the Angels from Oakland in September, 1985. He was 15-11 with a 3.74 earned run average in helping the Angels win the American League West championship in 1986 and 11-11 with a 4.70 ERA this past season.

Sutton, who completed his 22nd big-league season, is among the all-time leaders in several pitching categories. In addition to ranking 11th in wins, he is second in games started (740), fifth in strikeouts (3,530), eighth in innings pitched (5,394) and 17th in appearances (758).

Last season marked the 21st time in his 22 years that Sutton won 10 or more games. He won his first major-league game in April, 1966, with the Dodgers, defeating Houston.

Sutton pitched for the Dodgers from 1966-80 before signing with Houston. He pitched for the Astros in 1981 and most of 1982, until being traded to Milwaukee on Aug. 31, 1982. Sutton pitched for the Brewers through 1984, when he was dealt to Oakland.

His 300th win came on June 18, 1986, when he beat the Texas Rangers, 5-1, at Anaheim Stadium.

Port also announced the Angels coaching staff of Marcel Lachemann, Bobby Knoop, Moose Stubing, Jimmie Reese and Rick Down have been retained for the 1988 season.

Bullpen coach Bob Clear recently retired and his spot on the staff will be taken by former major league pitcher Joe Coleman, who spent last season as the Angels’ roving minor league pitching instructor. This past season was his fourth as a coach-manager in the Angels’ system.

Coleman, 40, began his major league career with the Washington Senators in 1965, compiling a 142-135 record and a 3.69 ERA in his 15-year career.

The club also reported that outfielder Gary Pettis underwent successful surgery on his left hand to repair a small ligament tear between the middle and ring fingers. The surgery was performed Thursday by Dr. Norman Zemel at Good Samaritan Hospital.