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Scott Downs

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Scott Downs
Downs with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2006
Pitcher
Born:(1976-03-17)March 17, 1976(age 48)
Louisville, Kentucky,U.S.
Batted:Left
Threw:Left
MLB debut
April 9, 2000, for the Chicago Cubs
Last MLB appearance
September 23, 2014, for the Kansas City Royals
MLB statistics
Win–loss record38–40
Earned run average3.56
Strikeouts575
Teams

Scott Jeremy Downs(born March 17, 1976) is an American former professionalbaseballrelief pitcher.He played inMajor League Baseballfor theChicago Cubs,Montreal Expos,Toronto Blue Jays,Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim,Atlanta Braves,andChicago White Sox.He has been astarter,reliever and closer during his baseball career.

Amateur career

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Downs was born and raised inLouisville, Kentucky.He attendedPleasure Ridge Park High School,where he was selected as Kentucky's Mr. Baseball. He was selected by theAtlanta Bravesin the 12th round (342nd overall) of the1994 Major League Baseball draft,but he opted to attend theUniversity of Kentuckyinstead of signing a professional contract.[1]In 1996, he playedcollegiate summer baseballin theCape Cod Baseball Leaguefor theYarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.[2]At the end of his junior season at Kentucky, he was selected by the Chicago Cubs in third round (94th overall) of the1997 Major League Baseball draft.[3]

Professional career

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Chicago Cubs

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Downs made his debut for theWilliamsport Cubs,of theNew York–Penn Leaguea Low-A affiliate of the Cubs. He made his way through the minor leagues and eventually made the Cubs roster for opening day2000.Between the time Downs started in the Cubs' system and when he made the major leagues, he was briefly in theMinnesota Twinssystem as he was sent by the Cubs to the Twins in November 1998 as aplayer to be named laterfrom an earlier trade that had broughtMike Morganback to the Cubs for a second stint. Downs was traded back to the Cubs by the Twins in May 1999 as part of a trade that also sawRick Aguilerago to Chicago.[4]

Downs made his major league debut for the Chicago Cubs on April 9,2000.He finished with a 4–3 record and a 5.17 ERA in 18 starts with the Cubs.[4]

Montreal Expos

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At the MLB trading deadline for the 2000 season, July 31, 2000, Downs was traded by the Cubs to the Expos forRondell White.[5]

On June 11, 2004, while playing for theEdmonton Trappers,the Triple-A affiliate of the Expos, Downs threw ano-hitteragainst theLas Vegas 51s.It was the first no-hitter by a Trapper since August 8, 1996, whenAaron Smallthrew one against theVancouver Canadians.[6]

After struggling in2004for the Expos, he was released on November 29.

Toronto Blue Jays

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Downs was signed by theToronto Blue Jayson December 16, 2004.[7]He split the season between Triple-A and Toronto, posting a 4–3 record with a 4.31 ERA in 26 games (13 starts).[4]

On February 2,2007,the Blue Jays and Downs agreed to a one-year, $1.025 million contract, avoiding the arbitration process.[8]Downs appeared in 81 games for Toronto in the 2007 season, tying Baltimore'sJamie Walkerfor theAmerican Leaguelead in that category. Downs went 4–2 with a 2.17 earned run average as a situational reliever, allowing 47hitsin 58 innings.[4]

On January 18,2008,the Blue Jays signed Downs to a three-year contract worth $10 million.[9]

Downs was scheduled to be the Toronto Blue Jays' primary set up man for the2009season. However, when closerB. J. Ryanwas sent to thedisabled liston April 23, Downs was announced as having taken his place.[10]

On July 8, Ryan was released and Downs was activated from the disabled list. ManagerCito Gastonnamed Downs the Blue Jays' permanent closer.[11]

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

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On December 10, 2010, Downs signed a three-year, $15 million contract with theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim.[12][13][14]He took over the role ofcloserfrom struggling relieverJordan Waldenon April 27, 2012.[15]

Atlanta Braves

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On July 29, 2013, Downs was traded to theAtlanta BravesforCory Rasmus.[16]He made his debut with the team the same day, pitching1+1⁄3scoreless innings and earning a win versus theColorado Rockies.[17]However, Downs did not make the Braves' NLDS roster.

Chicago White Sox

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On January 2, 2014, theChicago White Soxannounced that they had signed Downs to a one-year, $4 million contract with a club option for 2015.[18]On June 26, the White Sox designated Downs for assignment.[19]The left hander had struggled over23+2⁄3innings pitched, posting a 6.08 ERA.[20]He was released on July 3.[21]

Kansas City Royals

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On July 6, 2014, theKansas City Royalssigned Downs to a one-year contract.[22]He posted a 3.14 ERA in 17 relief appearances with the Royals while posting an 0–2 record.[4]

Cleveland Indians

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On December 20, 2014, theCleveland Indiansannounced that Downs had been signed to a minor-league contract, and that he had received an invitation to their spring training camp.[23]He was released on March 30.[24]

Pitching style

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Downs is a two-pitch pitcher. He mainly uses a heavysinkerat about 88–90 mph, and he complements it with a mid-70scurveball,mostly used against left-handed hitters. Prior to 2011, he also threw aslider.[25]

Personal

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In 2000, Downs married his college sweetheart Katie Sisler, and lives with her and their children inLe xing ton, Kentucky.

References

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  1. ^"12th Round of the 1994 MLB June Amateur Draft".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedDecember 4,2021.
  2. ^"Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League"(PDF).Cape Cod Baseball League.RetrievedSeptember 25,2019.
  3. ^"3rd Round of the 1997 MLB June Amateur Draft".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedDecember 4,2021.
  4. ^abcde"Scott Downs Stats".Baseball-Reference.
  5. ^"Cubs Get White, Trade Rodriguez".Chicago Tribune.July 31, 2000. Archived fromthe originalon March 4, 2016.RetrievedJune 27,2014.
  6. ^"Downs tosses second no-hitter in Trapper history".OurSports Central.June 12, 2004.RetrievedJune 27,2014.
  7. ^"Blue Jays sign LHP Downs to minor league deal".ESPN.December 16, 2004.RetrievedJune 27,2014.
  8. ^"Blue Jays settle with Johnson, Rios and Downs".ESPN.Associated Press.February 2, 2007.RetrievedJune 27,2014.
  9. ^Bastian, Jordan (January 18, 2008)."Blue Jays sign five of six players".MLB.MLB Advanced Media.Archived fromthe originalon November 3, 2012.RetrievedMarch 4,2008.
  10. ^Bastian, Jordan (April 23, 2009)."Ryan, Romero land on disabled list".Toronto Blue Jays.MLB.Archived fromthe originalon April 26, 2009.RetrievedApril 25,2009.
  11. ^"Ryan released; Downs back from DL".ESPN.Associated Press.July 8, 2009.RetrievedJune 27,2014.
  12. ^DiGiovanna, Mike (December 11, 2010)."Angels agree to terms with left-handed reliever Scott Downs".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedDecember 11,2010.
  13. ^Saxon, Mark (December 10, 2010)."Angels sign lefty reliever Downs to 3-year deal".ESPN.RetrievedDecember 11,2010.
  14. ^Spencer, Lyle (December 10, 2010)."Angels lock up Downs with three-year contract".MLB.MLB Advanced Media.Archived fromthe originalon December 12, 2010.RetrievedDecember 11,2010.
  15. ^DiGiovanna, Mike (April 27, 2012)."Angels' Jordan Walden loses closing job".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on April 30, 2012.RetrievedMay 6,2012.
  16. ^Bowman, Mark (July 30, 2013)."Braves get their lefty reliever, trade for Downs".Atlanta Braves.MLB.RetrievedJuly 31,2013.
  17. ^"Rockies vs. Braves Box Score - 07/29/13".MLB.July 29, 2013.
  18. ^Kane, Colleen (January 7, 2014)."Scott Downs happy to return to Chicago".Chicago Tribune.RetrievedJune 27,2014.
  19. ^"White Sox designate Downs for assignment".ESPN.Associated Press.June 26, 2014.RetrievedJune 27,2014.
  20. ^Kane, Colleen (June 26, 2014)."White Sox drop reliever Downs".Chicago Tribune.RetrievedJune 26,2014.
  21. ^Gleeman, Aaron (July 3, 2014)."White Sox release Scott Downs".NBC Sports.RetrievedDecember 5,2021.
  22. ^Kaegel, Dick (July 6, 2014)."Royals sign Downs to bolster bullpen".Kansas City Royals.MLB.Archived fromthe originalon July 14, 2014.RetrievedJuly 6,2014.
  23. ^Short, D.J. (December 20, 2014)."Indians sign Scott Downs".NBC Sports.Hardball Talk.RetrievedDecember 20,2014.
  24. ^Gleeman, Aaron (March 30, 2015)."Indians release left-hander Scott Downs".NBC Sports.RetrievedMarch 30,2015.
  25. ^"Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool – Player Card: Scott Downs".Brooks Baseball.Archived fromthe originalon January 17, 2013.RetrievedMay 30,2012.
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