We've heard conflicting reports about the future of Red Sox first/third baseman Mike Lowell all season long, but the former Marlin put it all to rest today when he announced that he will indeed retire after the season. John Tomase of The Boston Herald provides the following…
“I’m retiring,” Lowell said. “I just don’t want to make it a song and dance because I don’t think that’s necessary, but if someone needs something official, yeah, I’m going to retire. This is going to be my last year.”
Lowell, 36, said that he still believes he can still play and platoon somewhere, but he doesn't enjoy it and is not willing to make the transition. He also indicated that staying around to compile numbers was never in his plans.
Plagued by hip issues over the last several years, Lowell has hit just .231/.297/.357 in 202 plate appearances this year, and lately he's lost playing time to younger players. A career .279/.341/.464 hitter, Lowell will retire as the Marlins' all-time leader in doubles (241), RBI (578), total bases (1,641), and extra base hits (387). According to Baseball-Reference.com, he's earned more than $76MM in his career.
Congrats on a good career Lowell. People counted you out in Florida but you showed in 2007 the player that you really were. Good luck in retirement.
Lowell isn’t retiring from the Marlins. In case, it has been forgotten, Mike was involved in a trade that sent him and Josh Beckett to Boston, to play for the Red Sox, prior to their 2004 World Championship season. Presumably, should Mike make it to the Hall of Fame (unlikely) he will go in as a member of the Boston organization and not the Miami Marlins…
BTW, thanks Mike, for the excellent play, field and clubhouse leadership, and for being a good sport, during a period in baseball when good sports are/have been a rare commidity. You will always have a special place in the hearts of Red Sox faithful.
Uh, okay.
LOL WHAT
Wait… the Red Sox traded for Mike Lowell!!!!!!! When did that happen??????
When the yankees gave up on lowell the marlins were the team that went and got him so he can play where he grew up. he had amazing years here, and support during his battle with cancer. especially with his displeasure with the red sox lately, he would go into the HOF as a marlin for sure, so i dont know where youre getting it from that he would go in bosox… thats like griffey jr going in as a white sox player.
Because he is retiring from the Red Sox…. fact that he had cancer has little to do with his performance, statistically, on the field. BTW, it takes two to tango..
He’s most likely not a HOFer buddy.
yeah guy, duh, read the posts, it was theoretical if he WERE to go in. i was arguing that if he were to for some reason, he would go as a marlin.
yeah guy, duh, read the posts, it was theoretical if he WERE to go in. i was arguing that if he were to for some reason, he would go as a marlin.
ow, my head.
HALL OF FAMER?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
not even close even with bos/nyy rivalry aside
Good for him. I still think he would be able to help a team off the bench but if he doesnt enjoy a limited role then I respect his decision. Good player, nice guy, pretty well rounded career. Nyjer Morgan could use a lesson on character from Mikey.
I still wish he got traded to the Rangers.
This just in, the sky is blue.
Lowell is one hell of a classy guy. Sox took a chance on him and he repaid them with complete loyalty. You gotta respect players like that. I hope because of his World Series MVP the Sox put him in their HOF.
Yet another Fish salary dump and was glad to see him move from favorite team #2 to team #1. Luria needs to keep a few of his “dumps” sometimes. Maybe Uggla will be the next?
lowell trade netted them hanley, they have no regrets “dumping” him
Beckett netted them Hanley. Lowell was a throw-in to save them salary. Marlins told the Sox they wouldn’t trade Beckett unless they took Lowell’s salary.
YAWN! This is such a shocker!
Mike Lowell wasn’t some scrub.
I didn’t mean to imply that… I meant that this didn’t come as a surprise to me.
Mike Lowell wasn’t some scrub.
YAWN! This is such a shocker!
@hawkny1 the Sox got lowell after the 2005 season, not before 2004, but nice try.
@hawkny1 the Sox got lowell after the 2005 season, not before 2004, but nice try.