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Derek Lowe

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This article is about the Major League Baseball pitcher. For the medicinal chemist and blogger, see Derek Lowe (chemist).
Derek Lowe
Lowe with the Atlanta Braves in 2009
Pitcher
Born: (1973-06-01) June 1, 1973 (age 51)
Dearborn, Michigan, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 26, 1997, for the Seattle Mariners
Last MLB appearance
May 19, 2013, for the Texas Rangers
MLB statistics
Win–loss record176–157
Earned run average4.03
Strikeouts1,722
Saves86
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Derek Christopher Lowe (born June 1, 1973) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. During his career, he played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, and Texas Rangers.

Lowe made his MLB debut in 1997. He threw a no-hitter for the Red Sox in 2002. In the 2004 post-season he had a 3–0 win–loss record as he helped lead Boston to its first World Series championship in 86 years.

Early years

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Lowe attended Edsel Ford High School in Dearborn, Michigan, where he was a four-sport letterman in baseball, golf, soccer, and basketball. He was an All-League honoree in all four sports, and was a first-team all-state pick in basketball. Lowe committed to attend Eastern Michigan University on a basketball scholarship.[1]

Baseball career

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Minor leagues

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The Seattle Mariners drafted Lowe in the eighth round of the 1991 MLB draft. He signed with the Mariners on June 7, 1991, forgoing his college scholarship.[1] The Mariners immediately assigned him to their rookie league team, where he went 5–3 with a 2.41 earned run average (ERA) in 12 starts.

He spent the next several years working his way through several minor league teams: 1992 – Single-A Bellingham (7–3, 2.42 – 13 starts), 1993 – Single-A Riverside (12–9, 5.26, 26 starts), 1994 – Double-A Jacksonville (7–10, 4.94, 26 starts), 1995 – Double-A Port City (1–6, 6.08, 10 starts), 1996 – Triple-A Tacoma (6–9, 4.54, 16 starts).

Seattle Mariners

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Lowe made his major league debut on April 26, 1997, working 3+2⁄3 innings in relief against the Toronto Blue Jays. He made his first major league start on May 27 against the Minnesota Twins, giving up four runs in five innings. His first career win came on June 6 against the Detroit Tigers, pitching 5+1⁄3 innings and giving up 3 runs in the Mariners' 6–3 victory.[2]

Seattle, however, was desperate for immediate bullpen help,[3] and packaged Lowe and catcher Jason Varitek into a deal with the Boston Red Sox for Heathcliff Slocumb.[4][5][1][6] The trade on July 31 by Mariners' vice president Woody Woodward is considered one of the most lopsided in MLB history.[citation needed]

Derek Lowe (left) and Pedro Martínez at the Red Sox World Series Victory Parade in 2004.

Boston Red Sox

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Lowe compiled a 5–15 record over his first two seasons, during which he split time starting and relieving, but came into his own in 1999 after being transferred into the closer's role, finishing the season with 15 saves and a 2.63 ERA.[1]

Lowe had his best season as a closer in 2000 when he led the American League with 42 saves, to go along with a 2.56 ERA.[1] Despite recording 24 saves early in the 2001 season, Lowe lost the closer's job soon after the trading deadline when the Red Sox acquired Ugueth Urbina.[1] Lowe was left in limbo, demoted to various setup jobs in the bullpen. Instead he asked manager Joe Kerrigan to return him to the starting rotation; Kerrigan agreed, and Lowe pitched 16 innings as a starter before the end of the season.[1] The following year, 2002, was Lowe's coming out party as a starter, as he posted a 21–8 record to go with a 2.58 ERA, finishing third in Cy Young Award voting behind Barry Zito and Lowe's teammate Pedro Martínez. Lowe no-hit the Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Fenway Park on April 27 that year, becoming the first pitcher to do so at Fenway Park since Dave Morehead in 1965. Lowe faced just one over the minimum in the game; only a third inning walk to Brent Abernathy separated Lowe from a perfect game. Additionally, Lowe was the starting pitcher for the American League in the All-Star Game that year.

Lowe posted a 17–7 record despite a 4.47 ERA in 2003. He recorded an improbable save in deciding Game 5 of the 2003 American League Division Series, helped by two clutch strikeouts.

In 2004, he finished 14–12 with a 5.42 ERA in 33 starts. During the postseason he rebounded with a 3–0 record and 1.86 ERA in four games, three of them starts. He was the winner in the final game of all three postseason series—American League Division Series against the Anaheim Angels (pitching in relief), the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees, and the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals (where he threw shutout ball for 7 innings in Game 4, to defeat Jason Marquis) — as the Red Sox won their first World Series in 86 years.[7][8]

Los Angeles Dodgers

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Lowe pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2006.

On January 11, 2005, Lowe finalized a $36 million, four-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.[9] Despite his signing with a new team, Lowe wore a Red Sox uniform, with his career-long number of 32, during the Red Sox World Series ring ceremony on April 11, 2005, after already making a start for the Dodgers.

On August 31, 2005, Lowe pitched an unusual one-hitter. After giving up a leadoff single to the Cubs' Jerry Hairston Jr., Lowe did not allow another Chicago hit, picking up a one-hit, two-walk, 7–0 complete game victory while facing only 29 batters.

For the 2008 season, after being the opening day starter for the Dodgers for the last three years, he was moved to the second starting position, behind Brad Penny. Lowe was chosen by manager Joe Torre to start Game 1 of the National League Championship series against the Philadelphia Phillies on October 9, 2008. Lowe opened the game with five scoreless innings.

All-time pitching great Greg Maddux had a storied 23 year major league career, during which he was twice traded during a season - both times to the Dodgers, once in 2006, the other in his final season of 2008. Each time Maddux joined the Dodgers, Lowe performed visibly better afterwards. Lowe indicated that Maddux helped him considerably; Maddux was often seen sitting next to him in the dugout, as Lowe was able to learn from the master hurler.[10]

Atlanta Braves

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Lowe agreed to a four-year, $60 million deal with the Atlanta Braves during the 2008–09 offseason.[11] Manager Bobby Cox announced that Lowe would start both Opening Day and the Braves home opener for the 2009 season.[citation needed] Lowe beat the Phillies 4–1 on Opening Night, going 8 innings and giving up just 2 hits and 0 runs.[12]

In 2010, Lowe was one of only two active players, along with Liván Hernández, to have played 12 or more seasons without going on the disabled list.[13]

Despite having a mediocre season until August, Lowe was exceptional in September 2010, with a 5–0 record, a 1.77 ERA, 29 strikeouts while walking only three batters, which helped the Braves secure a playoff berth as the NL Wild Card, being one game ahead of the second place Padres at the end of the regular season. For this, Lowe was named National League Pitcher of the Month.[14]

On August 31, 2011, Lowe hit his first home run (in 425 at-bats) off John Lannan of the Washington Nationals.[15]

Cleveland Indians

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Lowe during his stint with the Cleveland Indians in 2012

Following the 2011 season, the Braves traded Lowe to the Cleveland Indians for minor league left-handed relief pitcher Chris Jones. The Braves paid $10 million of Lowe's $15 million salary for the 2012 season.[16] On May 15, 2012 in a road game versus the Minnesota Twins, Lowe recorded his first shutout in seven years and also pitched a complete game in a 5–0 Tribe win, improving his season pitching record to 6–1. Lowe did not record a strikeout in the shutout, becoming the first pitcher to do so since 2002.[17]

The Indians designated Lowe for assignment on August 1 to make room for Corey Kluber. Lowe was 8–10 with a 5.52 ERA in 21 starts and 119 innings pitched.[18] The Indians released Lowe on August 10.[19]

New York Yankees

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Lowe with the New York Yankees

On August 12, 2012, Lowe signed with the New York Yankees.[20] In his Yankees debut on August 13, he pitched four scoreless innings in relief, recording his first regular season save since 2001.[21] Lowe had a 3.04 ERA in 17 appearances, earning him a spot on the team's postseason roster. The Yankees defeated the Baltimore Orioles in the 2012 ALDS,[22] but lost to the Detroit Tigers in the 2012 ALCS. Lowe became a free agent after the 2012 season ended.

Texas Rangers

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On March 6, 2013, Lowe signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.[23] He made the team's major league roster, and was with the Rangers on opening day.[24] He was designated for assignment on May 20, 2013.[25][26]

On June 9, 2013, sports journalist Nick Cafardo reported that Lowe appeared to have retired. According to Cafardo, Lowe told his agent, Scott Boras, not to approach any teams to gauge their interest.[27]

Lowe officially announced his retirement July 18, 2013.[28]

Lowe was eligible to be elected into the Hall of Fame in 2019, but received less than 5% of the vote, thus dropping off of future ballots.

Scouting report

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Lowe was a sinkerball pitcher, throwing the pitch over 60% of the time. He also threw a fastball, curveball and a slider.[29][30]

Personal life

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Lowe has advocated for various causes to fight cancer. Himself a survivor of squamous cell carcinoma,[31] Lowe has worked with the Melanoma Foundation of New England,[32] the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention,[33] and The Prostate Cancer Foundation.[34] Lowe was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder and received permission to treat it with Adderall, a substance normally banned by Major League Baseball, but with exceptions allowed on a case-by-case basis.[35]

Lowe was charged with fourth-degree domestic violence by King County police in 1997 after his girlfriend claimed that he struck her. Lowe was released on $1,000 bond the next day, whereupon he allegedly violated a no-contact order by returning to her home shortly thereafter.[36] Lowe entered counseling as a result.[37]

Carolyn Hughes, who covered the Dodgers for Fox Sports West, was suspended pending an investigation into a potential relationship between her and Lowe during his tenure with the Dodgers. Shortly thereafter, Lowe filed for divorce from Trinka Lowe, his wife of seven years, with whom he had fathered three children.[38] Hughes's husband also filed for divorce. In the aftermath, Hughes ended her broadcasting career, and she and Lowe continued their relationship. They were married on December 13, 2008 at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan.[39]

On April 28, 2011, Lowe was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, reckless driving and improper lane change after he was spotted drag racing down an Atlanta street. The trooper who stopped him detected an odor of alcohol and administered a field sobriety test, which resulted in Lowe's arrest. Lowe declined to take a breath test before he was released after posting bail. The driver of the other vehicle was not charged with any offense and was released.[40] On May 26, 2011, both the DUI charge and the reckless driving charge were dismissed by City of Atlanta Solicitor-General Raines Carter, and Lowe entered a nolo contendere (no contest) plea to violating basic motor vehicle rules.[41]

Lowe finished second to Mark Mulder in the July 2017 American Century Championships celebrity golf tournament.[42]

Lowe won the January 2022 LPGA Tournament of Champions Celebrity Division tournament, defeating Annika Sörenstam in a playoff after both scored 138 points.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Baseball the right choice for Lowe". ESPN. March 11, 2003. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  2. ^ "Mariners on Cruz control". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. (Idaho-Washington). Associated Press. June 7, 1997. p. 3D.
  3. ^ Golen, Jimmy (July 31, 1997). "Mariners betrayed by bullpen". Eugene Register-Guard. (Idaho). Associated Press. p. 1D.
  4. ^ Street, Jim (August 1, 1997). "Mariners ship Cruz to Toronto in effort to shore up their bullpen". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). p. C1.
  5. ^ "Blockbuster trades made in 11th hour". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. August 1, 1997. p. 1B.
  6. ^ "Slocumb loses, leaves After Sox fall, he's dealt to Mariners". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. August 1, 1997. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  7. ^ Curry, Jack (October 28, 2004). "Kiss That Curse Goodbye". The New York Times. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  8. ^ Dodd, Mike (October 28, 2004). "Finally! Red Sox win World Series". USA Today. Retrieved September 9, 2009.
  9. ^ "New ace has 52 wins in past 3 seasons". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 13, 2005. Retrieved February 7, 2009.
  10. ^ "Lowe drops duel to Cardinals". Losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com. Archived from the original on June 15, 2011. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  11. ^ "Braves agree to terms with pitcher Derek Lowe on four-year contract". Atlanta.braves.mlb.com. January 15, 2009. Archived from the original on January 25, 2009. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  12. ^ O'Brien, David (January 13, 2009). "Atlanta Braves news". ajc.com. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  13. ^ Rogers, Carroll (May 1, 2009). "Atlanta News, Sports, Atlanta Weather, Business News". ajc.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  14. ^ Hall, James. "Lowe, Price named Pitchers of Month". MLB.com. Archived from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
  15. ^ O'Brien, David (September 1, 2011). "Derek Lowe homers, Craig Kimbrel gets record save". ajc.com. Archived from the original on May 29, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  16. ^ Beck, Jason (October 31, 2011). "Tribe acquires veteran Lowe from Braves". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 2, 2011. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
  17. ^ Sendell, Nate (May 15, 2012). "Tribe chugs past Twins behind Lowe's shutout". Indians.com. Retrieved May 16, 2012.[dead link]
  18. ^ Hoynes, Paul (August 1, 2012). "Derek Lowe designated for assignment by Tribe". Plain Dealer. Cleveland.com. Retrieved August 2, 2012.
  19. ^ "Indians release Derek Lowe | HardballTalk". Hardballtalk.nbcsports.com. August 9, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
  20. ^ "Yankees sign veteran right-hander Derek Lowe". Newyork.yankees.mlb.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  21. ^ "Given fresh start, Lowe makes immediate impact". Newyork.yankees.mlb.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  22. ^ "Derek Lowe revels in postseason return".
  23. ^ Evan Grant, Rangers agree to terms with RHP Derek Lowe on minor league deal, March 6, 2013
  24. ^ Aaron Gleeman, NBC Sports, Derek Lowe makes the Rangers as a middle reliever, March 26, 2013
  25. ^ "Rangers recall Josh Lindblom; Derek Lowe designated for assignment". MLB.com. May 20, 2013. Archived from the original on September 24, 2014. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  26. ^ "Rangers turn Lowe loose to make room for Lindblom". Associated Press. May 20, 2013. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  27. ^ Nick Cafardo, Boston Globe, Four of MLB's Preseason Favorites Are Duds, June 9, 2013
  28. ^ Zach Stoloff, NESN, Derek Lowe Announces Retirement, July 18, 2013
  29. ^ Robert Pike, Shut Down Inning, Derek Lowe and the Sinker Archived June 30, 2013, at archive.today, March 24, 2013
  30. ^ Kevin Sipe, Bleacher Report, Derek Lowe: How the Atlanta Braves' Pitcher Went From Has-Been to Ace, April 8, 2011
  31. ^ "Lowe now 'nose' to use sunscreen". Boston Red Sox. MLB. February 14, 2003. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  32. ^ "News & Events – MMF Newsletter" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 27, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  33. ^ Ian Browne. "Notes: Offense taking shape | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  34. ^ "Derek Lowe Urges Men To Get Prostate Cancer Checkups". Bleacher Report. September 13, 2009. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  35. ^ "Dodgers' Lowe has ADD, allowed to take banned drug – MLB – ESPN". ESPN.com. April 5, 2006. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  36. ^ Dick, Bob (August 23, 1997). "Another problem for Sox". The New Bedford Standard-Times. Archived from the original on January 29, 1999. Retrieved June 24, 2006.
  37. ^ "Pawsox's Lowe in counseling for domestic violence". The Providence Journal. August 23, 1997. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2012. (subscription required)
  38. ^ "DODGERS' LOWE GETS PERSONAL ABOUT FUTURE". San Jose Mercury News. March 4, 2006. p. 2D. Retrieved August 12, 2012. (subscription required)
  39. ^ "Lowe unlikely to return to Dodgers | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. June 19, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  40. ^ "Police: Braves' Lowe racing before charged with DUI". Usatoday.Com. April 29, 2011. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  41. ^ Boone, Christian (May 26, 2011). "DUI, reckless-driving charges against Derek Lowe dropped". ajc.com. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  42. ^ Ex-MSU pitcher Mark Mulder wins celebrity golf title; Derek Lowe second
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Derek Lowe.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by No-hitter pitcher
April 27, 2002 		Succeeded by
Preceded by American League All-Star Game Starting Pitcher
2002 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Los Angeles Dodgers Opening Day
Starting pitcher
2005–2007 		Succeeded by

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