Jan. 18--Rick Sutcliffe pitched eight seasons for the Chicago Cubs and will return to Mesa, Ariz., in February as a spring training instructor.
But Sutcliffe revealed that he was involved in the recruitment of marquee left-hander Jon Lester as the suggestion of Theo Epstein, the Cubs' President of Business Operations.
Although reluctant to tell the story, this was Sutcliffe's way of thanking the fans for their passion that Sutcliffe said helped sway Lester in the Cubs' favor.
"Theo asked me to do a video to recruit Jon Lester," Sutcliffe told fans at a seminar Sunday at Cubs Convention. "Jon Lester was telling me Friday night in that video that caught him was the fact that I could not explain the relationship that has grown with me and the Cub fans.
"I'm telling, you Jon, they not only take you into their house, they watch you on TV, but they take you into your heart and you become part of their family," Sutcliffe recalled telling Lester as the crowd applauded.
"I'm telling you right now that applause is for you. Literally, Jon was telling me the other night 90 percent of the reason he's here is because of the Cub fans. I know there's a lot of money ($155 million over six seasons), and he could have gotten more money in other places. He came back because of the relationship he wants to have with you. "
Sutcliffe, always known for a good laugh, shared a story about throwing a bachelor party for actor Mark Harmon in the spring of 1987 at the Cubs' spring training facility in Mesa.
Sutcliffe was sought for help by agent Barry Axelrod, who also represents Harmon, who is married to actress Pam Dawber of "Mork and Mindy" fame.
Sutcliffe suggested that Harmon and his friends suit up in uniforms and trot to center field so Sutcliffe could hit them a few flies before playing a game.
As Harmon and his friends run to the outfield, Sutcliffe recalls Harmon saying to Axelrod, "This is awesome. What a great guy Rick is.''
Harmon and his friends, however, were unaware that Sutcliffe arranged for the grounds crew to turn on the sprinklers.
"There were a lot of guys in that outfield," Sutcliffe chuckled. "When you turn (the sprinklers) on full blast, it hits you like a BB gun. They were all laying there and saying surely he's going to turn off (the sprinklers)."
The water kept spraying Harmon and his friends.
