Bruce Sutter, a split-finger ace and Hall of Famer, dies at 69

St. Louis Cardinals ace reliever Bruce Sutter celebrates after the last out in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the World Series at St. Louis, on Oct. 20, 1982. The Hall of Famer and 1979 Cy Young winner has died at age 69. (AP)

When Bruce Sutter began experimenting with the split-fingered fastball, he wasn't looking for a path to Cooperstown. He was just hoping to save his career.

"I wouldn't be here without that pitch," Sutter said shortly before his Hall of Fame induction in 2006. "My other stuff was A ball, Double-A at best. The split-finger made it equal."