Scott Downs
Encyclopedia
Scott Jeremy Downs is an American
professional baseball
relief pitcher
with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
of Major League Baseball
. He has previously played for the Chicago Cubs
, Montreal Expos
and Toronto Blue Jays
. He has been both a starter
and a reliever during his baseball career.
. He attended Pleasure Ridge Park High School
, where he was selected as Kentucky's Mr. Baseball. He was selected by the Atlanta Braves
in the 12th round of the 1994 Major League Baseball Draft
, but he opted to attend the University of Kentucky
instead of signing a professional contract. At the end of his junior season at Kentucky, he was selected by the Chicago Cubs in 3rd round (94th overall) of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft
. In 2000, Downs married his high school sweetheart Katie Sisler, and lives with her and their children in Lexington, Kentucky
.
, of the New York-Penn League a Low-A affiliate of the Cubs. He made his way through the minor leagues and eventually made the Cubs roster for opening day .
Downs made his major league debut for the Chicago Cubs on April 9, . he finished with a 4–3 record with an ERA of 5.17.
.
On June 11, 2004, while playing for the Edmonton Trappers
, the Triple-A affiliate of the Expos, Downs threw a no-hitter
against the Las Vegas 51s
. It was the first no-hitter by a Trapper since August 8, 1996, when Aaron Small
threw one against the Vancouver Canadians
.
After struggling in for the Expos, he was released on November 29.
Downs was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays on December 16, 2004.
On February 2, the Blue Jays and Downs agreed to a one-year, $1.025 million contract, avoiding the arbitration process. Downs proceeded to appear in 81 games for Toronto in the 2007 season, tying Baltimore's Jamie Walker
for the American League
lead in that category. Downs went 4–2 with a 2.17 earned run average as a situational reliever, allowing 47 hits
in 58 innings.
On January 18, , the Blue Jays signed Downs to a three-year contract worth $10 million. Downs is currently the setup-man for the Blue Jays and was one of the best relief pitchers in the American League with an ERA of 1.78 in 70 innings pitched.
Contrary to popular belief, Downs does not write J.M.J. (Jesus Mary Joseph) in the dirt behind the mound before he pitches. As confirmed on the FAN 590 morning show during the week of May 19, 2008, Downs writes the initials of his two children: daughter Katherine Grayson and son Harrison.
Downs was scheduled to be the Toronto Blue Jays primary set up man for the season. However, when closer B. J. Ryan was sent to the disabled list on April 23, Downs was announced as having taken his place.
On July 8, former closer B.J. Ryan
was released and Downs was activated from the disabled list
. Manager Cito Gaston
named Downs the Blue Jay's permanent closer.
. He currently is the primary setup man for Jordan Walden
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
of 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...
. He has previously played for the 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...
, Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
and Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
. He has been both a starter
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
and a reliever during his baseball career.
Early life
Downs was born and raised in Louisville, KentuckyLouisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
. He attended Pleasure Ridge Park High School
Pleasure Ridge Park High School
Pleasure Ridge Park High School is a High School located at 5901 Greenwood Road in the Pleasure Ridge Park neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky. It is part of the Jefferson County Public Schools district...
, where he was selected as Kentucky's Mr. Baseball. He was selected by the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
in the 12th round of the 1994 Major League Baseball Draft
1994 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1994 Major League Baseball draft.-Compensation picks:-Other notable players:*A.J. Pierzynski , Minnesota Twins, 3rd round*Bobby Howry , San Francisco Giants, 5th round...
, but he opted to attend the University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
instead of signing a professional contract. At the end of his junior season at Kentucky, he was selected by the Chicago Cubs in 3rd round (94th overall) of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft
1997 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1997 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1997...
. In 2000, Downs married his high school sweetheart Katie Sisler, and lives with her and their children in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
.
Chicago Cubs
Downs made his debut for the Williamsport CubsWilliamsport Crosscutters
The Williamsport Crosscutters are a Short-Season A classification minor league baseball team based in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
, of the New York-Penn League a Low-A affiliate of the Cubs. He made his way through the minor leagues and eventually made the Cubs roster for opening day .
Downs made his major league debut for the Chicago Cubs on April 9, . he finished with a 4–3 record with an ERA of 5.17.
Montreal Expos
At the MLB trading deadline for the 2000 season, July 31, 2000, Downs was traded by the Cubs to the Expos for Rondell WhiteRondell White
Rondell Bernard White is an outfielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball. His career batting average currently stands at .284 and his career slugging percentage is .462....
.
On June 11, 2004, while playing for the Edmonton Trappers
Edmonton Trappers
The Edmonton Trappers were a minor league baseball team in the Pacific Coast League, ending with the 2004 season. Home games were played at Telus Field in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, Canada....
, the Triple-A affiliate of the Expos, Downs threw a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
against the Las Vegas 51s
Las Vegas 51s
The Las Vegas 51s, formerly known as the Las Vegas Stars, are a minor league baseball team. They are the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They play at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team competes in the Pacific Coast League...
. It was the first no-hitter by a Trapper since August 8, 1996, when Aaron Small
Aaron Small
Aaron James Small is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is probably best remembered for his short successful stint as a starter for the New York Yankees in ....
threw one against the Vancouver Canadians
Vancouver Canadians
The Vancouver Canadians are a minor league baseball team located in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Canadians are the Northwest League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. The C's have previously affiliated with the Oakland Athletics between 2000-2010. They are the only Canadian team in the...
.
After struggling in for the Expos, he was released on November 29.
Toronto Blue Jays
On February 2, the Blue Jays and Downs agreed to a one-year, $1.025 million contract, avoiding the arbitration process. Downs proceeded to appear in 81 games for Toronto in the 2007 season, tying Baltimore's Jamie Walker
Jamie Walker
James Ross "Jamie the Cat" Walker is an American Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He previously pitched for the Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers, and Baltimore Orioles....
for the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
lead in that category. Downs went 4–2 with a 2.17 earned run average as a situational reliever, allowing 47 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
in 58 innings.
On January 18, , the Blue Jays signed Downs to a three-year contract worth $10 million. Downs is currently the setup-man for the Blue Jays and was one of the best relief pitchers in the American League with an ERA of 1.78 in 70 innings pitched.
Contrary to popular belief, Downs does not write J.M.J. (Jesus Mary Joseph) in the dirt behind the mound before he pitches. As confirmed on the FAN 590 morning show during the week of May 19, 2008, Downs writes the initials of his two children: daughter Katherine Grayson and son Harrison.
Downs was scheduled to be the Toronto Blue Jays primary set up man for the season. However, when closer B. J. Ryan was sent to the disabled list on April 23, Downs was announced as having taken his place.
On July 8, former closer B.J. Ryan
B.J. Ryan
Robert Victor "B.J." Ryan, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Though he never officially retired, Ryan has not played since .-Career:Ryan started his career as a left-handed specialist...
was released and Downs was activated from the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
. Manager Cito Gaston
Cito Gaston
Clarence Edwin "Cito" Gaston is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. His major league career as a player lasted from 1967–1978, most notably for the San Diego Padres and the Atlanta Braves...
named Downs the Blue Jay's permanent closer.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
On December 10, 2010 he signed a 3-year, $15 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels of AnaheimLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
. He currently is the primary setup man for Jordan Walden
Jordan Walden
Jordan Walden nicknamed "Waldo", is a right-handed pitcher on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim active roster.-Early life:...
.