Former O's pitcher Stewart dies at 63

Former O's pitcher Stewart dies at 63

March 5th, 2018
FILE - In this Sept. 25, 1983, file photo, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Sammy Stewart, right, uses an umbrella to keep dry as teammate Bill Swaggerty pours a beverage during their victory celebration after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers to win the American League Eastern Division title in Milwaukee, Wis. Stewart, who helped the Orioles win the 1983 World Series before falling into a life of drug addiction and arrests, has died. He was 63. The Henderson County Sheriff's Office said Stewart was found dead Friday, March 2, 2018, at a residence. No cause for his death had been determined as of Sunday. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn, File)Tom Lynn/AP

Sammy Stewart, a pitcher who helped the Orioles win the 1983 World Series, died on Friday in North Carolina. He was 63.
Stewart was a fan favorite during eight seasons with the Orioles from 1978-85. He set an MLB record by striking out seven straight batters in his big league debut against the White Sox at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore.
Stewart was a key member of the bullpen, and he made 282 relief appearances and 25 starts with the O's. The right-hander saved 42 games and had a 51-45 record and 3.47 ERA with Baltimore.
Stewart made an impact in the 1983 postseason, with five scoreless relief appearances. In the Fall Classic against the Phillies, Stewart pitched in three games and recorded six strikeouts against two walks and two hits over five innings.
Popular with his teammates, Stewart was known as "The Throwin" from Swannanoa, N.C. He stood 6-foot-3, with flowing brown hair and a bushy moustache.
The Orioles signed Stewart as an amateur free agent in June 1975. He had been selected by the Royals in the 28th round of the '74 Draft, but did not sign.
Stewart was traded to the Red Sox for Jackie Gutierrez in advance of the 1986 season. After one season in Boston, he signed with the Indians midway through the '87 season.
In 10 seasons in the Majors, Stewart pitched 956 2/3 innings, with 586 strikeouts against 502 walks and a 3.59 ERA.