The Lowdown On Lowe Is Versatility

There is something familiar about the man who began the 2000 season Tuesday as the closer for the Boston Red Sox - at least for those who remember Derek Lowe with the Seattle Mariners.

Now 26, Lowe has started in the big leagues, pitched long relief, middle relief, been a setup man and a closer.

“In two years, I’ve done it all,” Lowe said, laughing.

With a right arm that bounces back quickly, Lowe found a home in Boston after the Mariners traded him and catcher Jason Varitek for pitcher Heathcliff Slocumb on July 31, 1997. In two full seasons since that deal, Lowe has been to the postseason twice - the Mariners not at all.

“Do I ever think about what would have happened if I’d stayed?” Lowe asked. “All the time.”

It’s not a picture he much cares for.

“I look at how tough it is to come up from the minors, be that fifth starter every once in awhile and, if things don’t go well, get sent back to the minors,” Lowe said. “I look at Bob Wolcott, who’s pitching in Japan now. I look at Ken Cloude, who’s in (Class AAA) Tacoma. I look at Mike Hampton, who never really go the chance to start until he left, and I wonder how I’d have fared here. I don’t think I’d be as far along as I am now.”

Where Lowe is now, he’s considered invaluable by manager Jimy Williams.

“He can close, he can give you three, four innings if you need that, and if you let him start, I know he’d love that,” Williams said. “He’s something special.”

Last year, Lowe appeared in 74 games, all in relief.