Lansing Sun

Michigan State University is mourning the loss of Jerry Sutton, a former baseball All-American, who has died at the age of 82. Sutton, originally from Lansing, Michigan, was a prominent figure in MSU's baseball history. He played as a first baseman for the Spartans from 1962 to 1964 under coach John Kobs and achieved notable success during his college career.

Sutton's performance on the field earned him several accolades. In 1963, he was named a Third-Team ABCA All-American and received first-team All-Big Ten honors. The following year, he earned third-team All-Big Ten recognition and was named MSU's Most Valuable Offensive Player. His batting prowess included winning two MSU batting titles and achieving a .397 average as a sophomore in 1962.

After graduating with a degree in social science in 1964, Sutton was drafted by the Chicago White Sox and spent five seasons playing in the minor leagues. His contributions to MSU were recognized when he was named the MSU Baseball Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in 2005.

Beyond his athletic achievements, Sutton made significant contributions off the field. He founded Sutton Advisors PLC with his wife Linda in 1977, focusing on strategic advising for clients. His dedication to community involvement included supporting various cultural and charitable organizations such as Wharton Center events and the Arts Council of Greater Lansing.

In recognition of his accomplishments post-college, Sutton received the MSU Jack Breslin Life Achievement Award in 2016. Since 2011, Michigan State has honored his legacy through the Jerry Sutton Student-Athlete Award for academic excellence.

Details regarding services for Jerry Sutton will be announced later.