John Cerutti

John Joseph Cerutti

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 2", Weight 200 lb.
• School Amherst College
• High School Christian Brothers Academy (Albany)
• Debut September 1, 1985
• Final Game October 5, 1991
• Born April 28, 1960 in Albany, NY USA
• Died October 3, 2004 in Toronto, ON CAN

BR page

Biographical Information

John Cerutti pitched seven years in the major leagues, mostly with the Toronto Blue Jays. He later was a Jays broadcaster.

After a cup of coffee in 1985, John broke through in 1986 with a 9-4, 4.15 record in 34 games. On June 24 that season, he spun a six-hit shutout against the Milwaukee Brewers. The next year, he was 11-4 with a 4.40 ERA in 44 games, good for second in the AL in winning percentage. He spent much of 1988 in relief, with a 6-7, 3.13 record in only 123 2/3 innings. In 1989, he was 9th in the AL in ERA, going 11-11 with a 3.07 ERA in 33 games (31 starts). He made two relief appearances in that year's ALCS against the Oakland A's, allowing only 3 walks in 2 2/3 innings. He went 9-9 with a 4.76 ERA in 1990, then finished his career with 38 games (only 8 starts) for the Detroit Tigers, finishing 1991 with a 3-6, 4.57 record and 2 saves.

In a seven season career, John finished 49-43 (46-37 as a Blue Jay) with a 3.94 ERA, pitching 229 games (116 starts) and 861 innings. He was not a power pitcher, finishing only a bit over 4 strikeouts per 9 innings, but his control was good, with about 3 walks per 9 innings. He was one of only two players from Amherst College to make the major leagues in the last 50 years.

After his playing career, John did his fair share of golfing, described as a top golfer. He was a Blue Jays broadcaster from 1997 until his death in 2004. He died at 44 on the last day of the regular season; his death attributed to natural causes stemming from a ventricular arrhythmia.

Notable Achievements

• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1989)

Related Sites

• John Cerutti at the SABR Bio Project