Sam McDowell, six-time All-Star pitcher, dies at 84

Sam McDowell, a six-time MLB All-Star and the inspiration for the character Sam Malone on 'Cheers', has died at the age of 84. McDowell passed away at his home in The Villages, Florida. He played 11 seasons with the Cleveland franchise, leading the American League in strikeouts four times and concluding his career with a record of 141 wins and 2,453 strikeouts. McDowell struggled with alcoholism and depression during his career but overcame these challenges, later working as a mental health and addiction recovery consultant. He earned a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022 for his contributions to the baseball community.

• 12:55 PMYahoo Sports — MLB’s Sam McDowell, Whose Life Inspired a ‘Cheers’ Character, Dies at 84