When people think of the 2004 Boston Red Sox, they think of guys like Pedro Martinez, Curt Schilling, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Jason Varitek and Johnny Damon. All of these guys made MAJOR contributions to the team over the course of the season. But, perhaps no pitcher had a bigger impact in the fall of 2004 then Derek Lowe. The righty went 3-0 in the post season that year, giving up just four runs in three starts. More impressive than those numbers is the fact that all three of his starts came in series clinching games. Lowe started game three of the ALDS against Anaheim, game seven of the ALCS at Yankee Stadium, and game four of the World Series against St. Louis.
Lowe went just 14-12 in the regular season with Boston that year, but he definitely played big when the Sox needed him the most. While the 2004 playoffs will always bring memories of David Ortiz’s late game heroics at Fenway, Schilling’s bloody sock, and Johnny Damon’s grand slam, While he will be mostly remembered for pitching a no-hitter against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2002, Derek Lowe contributed just as much to the team’s success in the fall of 2004 as any other player on the roster. And from a team standpoint, that was his ultimate accomplishment.
Very well written first graph. Lowe’s contributions to the ’04 team seem to have gone forgotten, or should I say overshadowed by those of others. I was actually at his no-hitter against Tampa–really cool experience.