Former Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Scott Sauerbeck, known for holding a team record, has passed away. Sauerbeck, who played five seasons (1999-2003) with the Pirates, died at the age of 53 on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, in Bradenton, Florida.
Reports suggest that Sauerbeck suffered a fatal heart attack at his home in Bradenton, coincidentally the city where the Pirates conduct their spring training. His death came just days before the team’s inaugural spring training games of the 2025 season.
Sauerbeck’s professional career began when he was drafted by the New York Mets in the 23rd round of the 1994 MLB draft after playing college baseball at Miami University. He ended up with the Pirates as a Rule 5 Draft pick in 1998 and made his major league debut in 1999.
Sauerbeck had a stellar rookie season with the Pirates, posting a 2.00 ERA across 67 2/3 innings with 55 strikeouts and a few saves. This set the base for his successful stint with the Pirates.
Throughout his tenure with the Pirates, Sauerbeck appeared in 341 games and logged a 3.56 ERA with a 19-15 record. He set a franchise record in 2002 by appearing in 78 games, a record he currently shares with left-hander Tony Watson. This record for most games pitched by a lefty in a single season remains unbroken.
The Pittsburgh Pirates expressed their condolences on social media, stating, “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.”
Midway through the 2003 season, Sauerbeck was traded to the Boston Red Sox, making 26 appearances and one postseason appearance. After Boston, he signed with the Cleveland Indians but missed the entire 2004 season due to an injury.
In 2005, Sauerbeck returned to play, appearing in 58 games for Cleveland, pitching 35⅔ innings with a 4.04 ERA. He continued with the Indians into 2006, playing 24 games before being released. He then signed with the Oakland Athletics to finish the 2006 season.
Jon Pavlisko, the former head baseball coach at Miami University who coached Sauerbeck from 1991-94, remembered him as a dedicated player.
Over his seven-year MLB career, Sauerbeck achieved a 20-17 record with a 3.82 ERA and five saves across 471 games. He struck out 389 batters in 386.1 innings, demonstrating his effectiveness as a relief pitcher.
After being released by the Athletics, Sauerbeck attempted a comeback with the Cincinnati Reds in 2008, but he never played a major league game for them, leading to his retirement from professional baseball.
Sauerbeck was renowned for his ability to limit left-handed batters, consistently holding them to a low batting average throughout his career. This skill made him an invaluable asset in the bullpen for the teams he played for, particularly the Pirates.
Even today, Sauerbeck’s record for most appearances in a single season remains unbeaten, underlining his enduring impact on the Pirates organization. His consistent performances during his five seasons with Pittsburgh helped establish him as a reliable relief pitcher.
As the Pirates begin their spring training games, the memory of their former teammate will undoubtedly be present. The 2025 season will be held in the same Florida city where Sauerbeck spent his last days.