Former Orioles Pitcher Sammy Stewart Dies at Age 63

Former Baltimore Orioles pitcher Sammy Stewart was reportedly found dead at his residence Friday at the age of 63.

The Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com) reported the news, noting a cause of death was yet to be determined by Sunday.

Stewart was part of the 1983 World Series-winning Orioles squad, although the AP noted he eventually fell "into a life of crack cocaine addiction and arrests."

The Orioles offered their condolences to the pitcher once known as the "Throwin' Swannanoan" on their Twitter page:

The AP story noted "Stewart was arrested dozens of times as he dealt with addiction to crack cocaine. He pawned his championship ring, was homeless and spent more than six years in prison before being released in 2013."

However, Childs Walker of the Baltimore Sun profiled Stewart's recovery during and after he was released from prison in a 2013 story and pointed out he took cooking classes, learned guitar, recovered from his addiction and was helping teach pitching to children in North Carolina.

On the field, Stewart was clutch in the postseason and posted a 0.00 ERA in six playoff appearances, four of which came in the World Series. According to the AP, he also set a record by striking out seven consecutive Chicago White Sox in his 1978 major league debut.

He pitched for the Orioles from 1978-85, the Boston Red Sox in 1986 and the Cleveland Indians in 1987, posting a 3.59 ERA in 359 games.