Michigan State University Athletics
MSU Baseball All-American Jerry Sutton Passes Away
1/23/2025 5:23:00 PM | Baseball
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State baseball All-American Jerry Sutton has passed away at the age of 82.
A native of Lansing, Michigan, Sutton was a three-year letterwinner (1962-64) and starter at first base for legendary Spartan skipper John Kobs and finished his career among the highest batting averages in school history, capturing two MSU batting titles, including hitting .397 as a sophomore in 1962, and topped the team in average again as a senior in 1964, hitting .383. In 1962, he posted a .762 slugging percentage (48 total bases in 63 at bats), a mark that presently ranks No. 7 in school history.
Sutton garnered Third-Team ABCA All-American accolades in 1963. He also earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 1963 and third-team accolades in 1964. He was also named MSU's Most Valuable Offensive Player in 1964.
After completing his MSU career, he was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the Major League Baseball Draft, and played in the minor leagues for five seasons.
Sutton graduated from Michigan State in 1964 with his degree in social science. In 2005, Sutton was named the MSU Baseball Distinguished Alumnus of the Year.
Since 2011, Michigan State baseball has eponymously named its annual team award for the top academic honor the Jerry Sutton Student-Athlete Award.
Sutton also received the MSU Jack Breslin Life Achievement Award in 2016, the award presented annually to the Spartan alumnus whose post-college career has brought great honor to him and by reflection to Michigan State University. He was the founder of Sutton Advisors firm, where he and his team were strategic advisors for his clients. The company's business model allowed Sutton to pursue his vision of helping each of his clients to live with confidence. Jerry and his wife, Linda Sutton, have partnered since 1977 to create Sutton Advisors, PLC.
Sutton also showed his passion for community involvement, and helped his clients do the same. He was an annual sponsor of Wharton Center events, founding donor to the Eli and Edythe Board Art Museum, supporter of the Arts Council of Greater Lansing, sponsor Food Bank Empty Plate Host Committee, sponsor of the Magic Johnson and Steve Smith Golf Classics, and past board member of the Mid-Michigan Alumni Club and Michigan State University Alumni Association External.
Services information will be announced at a later date.
A native of Lansing, Michigan, Sutton was a three-year letterwinner (1962-64) and starter at first base for legendary Spartan skipper John Kobs and finished his career among the highest batting averages in school history, capturing two MSU batting titles, including hitting .397 as a sophomore in 1962, and topped the team in average again as a senior in 1964, hitting .383. In 1962, he posted a .762 slugging percentage (48 total bases in 63 at bats), a mark that presently ranks No. 7 in school history.
Sutton garnered Third-Team ABCA All-American accolades in 1963. He also earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 1963 and third-team accolades in 1964. He was also named MSU's Most Valuable Offensive Player in 1964.
After completing his MSU career, he was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the Major League Baseball Draft, and played in the minor leagues for five seasons.
Sutton graduated from Michigan State in 1964 with his degree in social science. In 2005, Sutton was named the MSU Baseball Distinguished Alumnus of the Year.
Since 2011, Michigan State baseball has eponymously named its annual team award for the top academic honor the Jerry Sutton Student-Athlete Award.
Sutton also received the MSU Jack Breslin Life Achievement Award in 2016, the award presented annually to the Spartan alumnus whose post-college career has brought great honor to him and by reflection to Michigan State University. He was the founder of Sutton Advisors firm, where he and his team were strategic advisors for his clients. The company's business model allowed Sutton to pursue his vision of helping each of his clients to live with confidence. Jerry and his wife, Linda Sutton, have partnered since 1977 to create Sutton Advisors, PLC.
Sutton also showed his passion for community involvement, and helped his clients do the same. He was an annual sponsor of Wharton Center events, founding donor to the Eli and Edythe Board Art Museum, supporter of the Arts Council of Greater Lansing, sponsor Food Bank Empty Plate Host Committee, sponsor of the Magic Johnson and Steve Smith Golf Classics, and past board member of the Mid-Michigan Alumni Club and Michigan State University Alumni Association External.
Services information will be announced at a later date.
Jake Boss | Baseball Press Conference | Feb. 24 2026
Tuesday, February 24
Jake Boss | Baseball Press Conference | Feb. 16 2026
Monday, February 16
Jake Boss | Baseball Press Conference | Jan. 26 2026
Monday, January 26
Pursuit to Greatness | Spartans All-Access
Monday, May 19