A right-hander, Sutton pitched for 23 years for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, and California Angels. He won a total of 324 games, 58 of them shutouts and five of them one-hitters (a National League record), and is fifth on baseball's all-time strikeout list. He also holds the major league record for number of consecutive losses to one team, having lost 13 straight games to the Chicago Cubs.
He was known for doctoring baseballs. His nickname was "Black and Decker", and legend has it that when Sutton met notorious greaseballer Gaylord Perry, Perry handed him a tube of Vaseline, and Sutton responded with a thank-you, then handed him a sheet of sandpaper.
A 4-time All-Star, Sutton was elected to the United States Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998. His election was controversial, with critics pointing out he never won a Cy Young Award and rarely led his league in any statistical category. However, no pitcher has won 300 games and not been elected to the Hall of Fame.
Sutton started his broadcasting career in 1989, broadcasting Atlanta Braves games. He is currently in his 14th season. He has also broadcast golf.