Cleveland strikeout king Sam McDowell dies at 84, leaving a legacy of redemption

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Sam McDowell died Monday at his home in The Villages, Florida, at age 84. The six-time All-Star played 15 seasons in the majors from 1961 to 1974, spending 11 of those seasons with Cleveland. McDowell led the American League in strikeouts four times and finished his career with a 141-134 record and 2,453 strikeouts.

Following his playing career, McDowell overcame alcohol addiction in 1980 and earned a degree in sports psychology and addictions from the University of Pittsburgh. He subsequently worked as an addiction counselor and recovery consultant for the Baseball Assistance Team, serving as the real-life inspiration for the sitcom character Sam Malone on Cheers.