Gary Sutherland, though never a baseball star, etched his name into the annals of Major League Baseball history through his association with the Montreal Expos. A solid infielder, Sutherland’s career spanned thirteen seasons, touching seven different teams, but his most significant contribution came during the Expos’ inaugural season. Selected by the Expos in the 1968 expansion draft, he became the team’s starting second baseman and scored the first run in franchise history during their opening game against the New York Mets. While his time with the Expos was relatively short, that singular moment cemented his place in the team’s lore.
Sutherland’s journey to that historic run began at the University of Southern California, where he played under the legendary coach Rod Dedeaux before signing with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1964. He debuted in the majors two years later, playing under manager Gene Mauch. This relationship proved pivotal, as Mauch later became the manager of the expansion Expos and played a role in bringing Sutherland to Montreal. The reunion was facilitated through the 1968 expansion draft, a process designed to populate the rosters of newly formed teams. The Expos selected Sutherland, setting the stage for his role in their historic first game.
The Montreal Expos’ inaugural game, a thrilling 11-10 victory against the eventual World Series champion New York Mets, held special significance for Sutherland. Reaching base on an error and subsequently scoring, he marked the first run in Expos history, an achievement that transcended the team’s modest 52-win season. While his individual performance that season was statistically unremarkable, batting .239 with three home runs and a .289 on-base percentage, the historical context of his run elevated his contribution beyond mere numbers. His involvement in that inaugural game cemented his legacy within the Expos organization.
Despite his historical significance to the Expos, Sutherland’s playing time dwindled over the next two years, leading to a trade to the Houston Astros in 1972. This marked the beginning of a journeyman phase of his career, as he played for five different teams in the subsequent seven seasons. His reputation for reliable glove work, however, kept him in demand, demonstrating his value as a defensive asset. Ultimately, his playing career concluded with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1978. While his playing days were over, his connection to baseball was far from finished.
Transitioning from player to scout, Sutherland embarked on a new chapter in his baseball journey. Returning to his native California, he joined the San Diego Padres’ scouting department two years after his retirement. In this role, he played an instrumental part in identifying and signing a young two-sport star from Long Beach State: Tony Gwynn. Gwynn, of course, would go on to become a Hall of Famer and a San Diego Padres legend, playing more games for the franchise than any other player. Sutherland’s contribution to identifying and signing Gwynn stands as a testament to his keen eye for talent.
Sutherland’s scouting career continued with the Cleveland Indians and later the Los Angeles Dodgers. His decades of baseball experience culminated in a 12-year stint as a special assistant to the general manager for the Los Angeles Angels, coinciding with the team’s historic World Series victory in 2002. Though he never reached the heights of stardom as a player, Gary Sutherland’s involvement in baseball, from scoring the first run in Expos history to scouting future Hall of Famers, wove a rich tapestry throughout the sport, leaving a lasting impact on several franchises. His story underscores the multifaceted nature of a baseball career and the enduring influence one individual can have beyond the playing field.
