News
Lowe braves young fans' questions
Righty discusses hoop dreams, October success, leadership
By Club MLB Staff / MLB.com
05/14/09 11:14 AM ET
Braves right-hander Derek Lowe has carved out an impressive big league career thanks to a devastating sinker and an even temper on the mound, but pitching didn't come naturally when he was growing up in Dearborn, Mich.After finishing his standard pregame routine and sharing several laughs with Mets ace Johan Santana on the way back to the Braves dugout, Lowe sat down with Club MLB to answer the latest round of questions from the Kids Mailbag.
Q. Who did you grow up idolizing?
-- Richie B., Olympia, Wash.
A: Actually, not anyone in particular but pretty much the whole Detroit Pistons basketball team. I was a huge basketball fan. I grew up right outside of Detroit. The whole team, I idolized.
Q. Who was your favorite basketball player?
-- Cooper, Wayne, Mich.
A: Isiah Thomas, absolutely, loved him. He was the sparkplug, the leader of the team, and they were winning championships during the years when I was a kid. They were a lot of fun to watch.
Q. Did you always want to be a baseball player growing up?
-- Mike P., Long Beach, NY
A: No, I always wanted to be a basketball player. I put all my time and effort into trying to be a basketball player. I signed to go to Eastern Michigan, hoping to be a point guard. That's what I wanted to do. I always enjoyed baseball, but I never envisioned myself playing it.
Club MLB: That's right; you also played golf and soccer in addition to basketball and baseball. You were a four-sport letterman in high school. Did you ever envision being the next Bo Jackson or Deion Sanders and taking on two professional sports at once?
A: No, really -- I wasn't a good baseball player growing up. I'm not exaggerating. I won two games my entire high school career, had a 7.00 ERA and threw 80 mph. Growing up in Michigan, we had four seasons, and you just kind of played the sport at that time. I just enjoyed playing sports. Unfortunately, nowadays kids at such an early age have to pick which sport they're going to focus on at 10, 11, 12 years old. There are traveling teams, AAU, and I think it's unfair because it turns into a job, and I never wanted to play sports and feel like it was a job. Growing up in Michigan, it was great to play a bunch of different sports.
Q. What made you choose baseball instead of basketball as a career?
-- Eric, Valencia, Calif.
A: Well, I got drafted by the Seattle Mariners, and I figured I would go play Minor League baseball for three years. At that point, I would have been 21 years old, and I knew I could go back and play college basketball if it didn't work out. So I went into it with low expectations, and I think that actually helped me because I wasn't a kid that always said I wanted to play baseball and put all kinds of pressure on myself. I played for three years pretty much out of an obligation to myself to see if I could even make a living at the sport, with my mindset thinking I want to go back and play basketball.
Q. Did you ever think you about returning to basketball?
-- Rebecca N., Brookline, Mass.
A: I got very lucky. I progressed a lot faster than I thought I would. So by Year 3 in the Minors, I was at a level I didn't think I would ever be at. I was getting better every year, so at that point I figured I would stick with it and see how far it would take me.
Q. You are the only pitcher who's ever won three postseason clinchers, all in 2004. Do you have any secrets about pitching in high-pressure situations?
-- Steven T., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
A: I think it's a combination of things. Being in a number of big situations obviously helps prepare you for the next one. In Boston, we were there every year, and you learn from every experience. There were a lot of failures leading up to 2004, when we won the World Series. I think the best way to deal with pressure is not being afraid to fail. A lot of times, negative thoughts can creep into your head, such as, "Don't give up a hit" or "I can't walk this guy." So again, not being afraid to fail, and another part of it is about enjoying the moment. I think a lot of times, people get in those situations and feel the weight of the world on their shoulders. They tighten up and forget that it's a game. Putting it all on the line can be fun. It doesn't always have to be stressful.
Q. Did you develop a closer bond with Jason Varitek after being traded together from Seattle to Boston?
-- Miles, Sullivan, N.H.
A: Yeah, we came up together in the Mariners system so we already got to know one another -- him being a catcher, me being a pitcher. It made the whole thing easier having him there. Getting traded at such a young age can definitely be uncomfortable because you think to yourself, "Man I'm not wanted." But then you realize that you are wanted, another team wants you. I knew little about the history in Boston when I first got there; the fans, the curse, the intensity. For me, it was a great place to spend my earlier years because the pressure forces you to grow up fast, you know, push yourself. I learned a lot while I was there. 'Tek and I still talk every now and then, too. I have a lot of respect for him. He's a great guy, and he's been a terrific catcher in Boston.
Q. How do you prepare for each start?
-- Dakota R., Atlanta, Ga.
A: It sounds simple, but establishing a routine for yourself and having the discipline to stick with it is huge, especially as a starting pitcher. Whether you long toss, arrive to the ballpark earlier than everyone else, play catch a few hours before the game ... it's easier said than done, but that's an important part of being a baseball player. Finding what works best and sticking with it. I've become a creature of habit when it comes to preparing on off-days or every fifth day.
Q. You've established yourself as one of the game's most consistent pitchers. How do you stay so even keeled on the mound?
-- Tobias, Rockland County, NY
A: Well, part of why routines are so important is that they help keep you focused on the mound. The other side is in your head. Not allowing the last start to affect the next one, being able to fight through the hard times and not beat yourself about what went wrong. At the end of the day, it's a job and I enjoy it. Those are both important things to remember.
Q. Now that you're a well-respected veteran with World Series ring to show for it, do you find yourself mentoring some of the younger players?
-- Sonny R., Azua, Dominican Republic
A: Yeah, you do, because you've been there as a veteran and you want the young guys to feel comfortable. Especially with the new guys just called up from the Minors for the first time. You give them advice, goof around, tell them how you first felt coming to the bigs. But at the same time, you want to leave them alone. When it's all said and done, they have to meet each set of challenges on their own. That's actually one of the things I enjoy most about the game. Being able to pass along everything I've learned to the younger guys and hopefully, they'll pass the torch to the next guy and so on.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
