Sam McDowell, the Pittsburgh native and former Pirates left-hander known as “Sudden Sam,” died Monday at his home in The Villages, Florida. He was 84.

The Pirates said on social media that he “will be deeply missed.”

Born Sept. 21, 1942, in Pittsburgh, McDowell starred at Central Catholic High School and signed with the Cleveland Indians in 1960 for a $75,000 bonus.

He made his major league debut at age 18 on Sept. 15, 1961.

McDowell spent the bulk of his 15-year career in Cleveland, where his fastball earned the nickname after Harmon Killebrew said a pitch arrived “all of a sudden.”

He finished 141-134 with a 3.17 ERA and 2,453 strikeouts in 2,492 1/3 innings across 425 games.

McDowell led the American League in strikeouts five times between 1965 and 1970 and posted a league-leading 2.18 ERA in 1965 while fanning 325 batters.

In 1970 he went 20-12 with 304 strikeouts, led the league in innings pitched and finished third in Cy Young Award voting. He was a six-time All-Star and later ranked among the top 50 on baseball’s career strikeout list.

After stints with the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees, the Pittsburgh native returned home in 1975 and signed with the Pirates near Opening Day.

In 14 games with Pittsburgh, mostly in relief, he went 2-1 with a 2.86 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings. His final major league appearance came June 24, 1975. The Pirates released him two days later.

Alcoholism had already limited his later seasons. McDowell quit drinking in 1980, earned an associate’s degree in sports psychology and addictions, and worked as a counselor.

He joined the Baseball Assistance Team in 1987 and spent years helping players deal with substance issues, including time with the Toronto Blue Jays organization.

“I truly believe with all my heart, the greatest thing that ever happened to me was that I was an alcoholic and found out about it,” McDowell told the New York Post in 2001. “Had I never known and had not been thrown out of baseball, I would not have the great life I have now. I would not have the education. I would not have learned how to live and love. Every day is a kick.”

The Yankees said, “The Yankees mourn the passing of Sam McDowell and extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.”

Guardians senior vice president Bob DiBiasio called McDowell’s life “a story of redemption.”

No cause of death was released.