Grover Lowdermilk
Encyclopedia
Grover Cleveland "Slim" Lowdermilk (January 15, 1885 - March 31, 1968) was a pitcher
in Major League Baseball
. From 1909 to 1920, he played for the St. Louis Cardinals
, Chicago Cubs
, St. Louis Browns
, Detroit Tigers
, Cleveland Indians
, and Chicago White Sox
. In a nine-season career, Lowdermilk posted a 23-39 record with 296 strikeout
s and a 3.58 earned run average
in 590-1/3 innings pitched
. He batted and threw right-handed. Lowdermilk was born in Sandborn, Indiana
, and died in Odin, Illinois
, at the age of 83.
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. From 1909 to 1920, he played for the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, St. Louis Browns
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, and Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. In a nine-season career, Lowdermilk posted a 23-39 record with 296 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s and a 3.58 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in 590-1/3 innings pitched
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
. He batted and threw right-handed. Lowdermilk was born in Sandborn, Indiana
Sandborn, Indiana
Sandborn is a town in Vigo Township, Knox County, Indiana, United States. The population was 415 at the 2010 census. It is the home of the annual Black Creek Festival...
, and died in Odin, Illinois
Odin, Illinois
Odin is a village in Marion County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,122 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Odin is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land....
, at the age of 83.
Quote
- Grover and his brother Lou LowdermilkLou LowdermilkLouis Bailey Lowdermilk , was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played in and with the St. Louis Cardinals...
both pitched for the 1911 Cardinals. Grover was 6'4" and lean, with long fingers, and was favorably compared to Walter JohnsonWalter JohnsonWalter Perry Johnson , nicknamed "Barney" and "The Big Train", was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Washington Senators...
- except that he couldn't control his blazing fastballFastballThe fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
. He was a member of the 1919 Black Sox but was not involved in the scandal. – William A. Borst