Pete Sabutis

Pete Sabutis was the premier pitcher in Tacoma and Pierce County from the late 1930s to the mid- 1950s, and the southpaw star of K Street’s perennial City, Valley and Sunset League champions rarely suffered defeat.

Sabutis graduated from the sand lots of Pierce County to take the mound for a year with the Tacoma Tigers of the Western International League during a time when baseball fever was at a high pitch locally. Teams in the semi-pro ranks included high school and college stars, and many semi-pro and former professional players, and the competition was fierce.

A lefty with a dazzling curve, Sabutis starred in every appearance. The K Street nine competed in the Valley League under the name of Edgewood (most teams represented communities from Morton to Gig Harbor) but the pitching poison was always the same, a lefty named Sabutis.

Records weren’t kept very well during that era but veterans who played in those leagues will tell you that Pete authored his share of one, two and three-hitters with regularity. He no doubt had a no-hitter or two as well. If your team was facing the “K Street” aggregation, and Sabutis was on the hill, there was almost no chance.

Born in Tacoma, Sabutis attended Lincoln high school where he was one of the top prep pitching prospects in the state. He also made a mark during that time as one of the area’s very best handball players.