Former Pirates Player & Pittsburgh Native Dies

PITTSBURGH, PA — Sam McDowell, a Pittsburgh native who ended his impressive baseball career with the Pirates, has died. He was 84.

The Pirates announced his death on X.

McDowell , a six-time All Star who led the American League in strikeouts four times, had a 15-year career in the Major Leagues. He spent 11 seasons with the then-named Cleveland Indians before finishing his career with the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees and the Pirates.

In his lone season with the Pirates in 1975, McDowell pitched in 14 games and compiled a 2-1 record with a 2.86 ERA.

According to the Society of American Baseball Research, McDowell was a four-sport star (baseball, basketball, football, track) at Central Catholic High School in Oakland, just a few blocks from the Pirates home at Forbes Field. He often threw batting practice to his hometown team.

He battled addiction before getting treatment following his career, and later obtained an associate’s degree in sports psychology and addictions from the University of Pittsburgh. He later counseled players on addiction issues.

Funeral arrangements were not immediately available Tuesday.