Rest in Peace Bill Sudakis

October 02, 2021

Born:

March 27th, 1946 - Joliet, Illinois

Died:

September 15th, 2021 (Age 75) - Palm Springs, California

Positions:

Third Base

Batted:

Switch

Threw

Right

Teams:

Los Angeles Dodgers (1968-1971)
New York Mets (1972)
Texas Rangers (1973)
New York Yankees (1974)
California Angels (1975)
Cleveland Indians (1975)

Awards:

Key Notes:

Bill "Suds" Sudakis was a power-hitting third baseman whom the Los Angeles Dodgers tried at catcher in 1970 and 1971. He had broken in as a 22-year-old rookie in 1968 who led the team with a .471 slugging percentage in 87 at-bats. That season, playing for the Albuquerque Dukes, he had shared the Texas League MVP Award with Jim Spencer. The next year, 1969, his 14 home runs were second-best on the team, as were his 14 home runs in 269 at-bats in 1970.

Dogged by bad knees, he was finally let go by the Dodgers during Spring Training of 1972. He was selected off waivers by the New York Mets but appeared in only 18 games for the Mets.

With the introduction of the designated hitter in the American League in 1973, the Texas Rangers coveted Sudakis as their DH and acquired him from the Mets. Suds responded with his best season at .255 and 15 HRs in only 82 games. Even though freed from defensive chores, Sudakis' aching knees kept him off the field and held his numbers down.

Partly because of his versatility (he could play first or third base and catcher and was also a switch hitter), he was given shots by the New York Yankees, California Angels, and Cleveland Indians.

In 1976, he played for the Omaha Royals of the American Association in the Kansas City Royals system but could not make it back to the major leagues. *From BR Bullpen

Cards: