Originally selected in the 21st round by the Washington Senators in the 1970 draft, Bruce Sutter opted to attend Old Dominion University in Virginia instead. He then spent the summer of 1971 playing semi-pro ball in the Lebanon Valley League. It was there where a scout for the Chicago Cubs, who was impressed with the right-hander’s blazing fastball, discovered Sutter and prompted the team to sign the 18-year-old.
That September, Sutter signed as a free agent to play for the Chicago Cubs.
He began his professional career quite auspiciously. After just two games in the minor leagues, Sutter suffered a pinched nerve in his throwing arm, which required surgery.