Derek Lowe Gets a DUI: Major League Stupidity

Another public gaffe for an Atlanta Brave

This spring, Tigers first baseman Miggy Cabrera earned a DUI and got belligerent with officers at the scene.  A few weeks ago, Cincinnati’s Mike Leake shoplifted $60 worth of T-shirts from a local Macy’s.  Now Atlanta’s Derek Lowe is the one making headlines.

The 37 year old sinkerball pitcher was pulled over around 10pm Thursday night in Atlanta.  According to rotoworld.com, “after Lowe was stopped, the trooper ‘detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage’ and gave him a field sobriety test. Lowe then refused to take a state-administered alcohol test and was also charged with reckless driving and failure to maintain lane.”  

Lowe was released this morning on a bail amount just under $3,000.

When “regular” people get DUIs, it’s bad enough.  When these athletes get caught, it’s even more reprehensible.  Lowe couldn’t afford a taxi or a private driver?  He couldn’t find anyone to drive him home?  He’s Derek Lowe!  I know these guys bristle at being called role models and I’m not going to argue that they need to be paragons of virtue 24/7, but come on.  This is a pointless and idiotic offense.

It would be nice to see Major League Baseball actually do something about these slip-ups.  Perhaps a short suspension?  One start for pitchers, two games for position players?  A fine?  Both?

Meanwhile, after the Roger McDowell thing, the Braves’ P.R. staff must be shaking their heads…

also appears on sportsnickel.com

Atlanta Braves: Roger McDowell Proves Bigotry Alive and Well

Atlanta's McDowell is sure to face reprisals for his outburst (Ehrmann/ Getty)

In case you missed it, Atlanta Braves’ pitching coach Roger McDowell insulted and threatened San Francisco Giants fans at a game back on April 23rd.  I would say “allegedly”, but McDowell has since apologized, which puts to bed the notion that he might have been falsely accused.  And frankly (as my buddy John put it) you can’t make this stuff up.

Some reported highlights of McDowell’s hate-filled shenanigans:

“Are you guys a homo couple or a threesome?” 

“Are you three giving it to each other up the ass?”

“How much are your teeth worth?”

and my personal favorite, “Kids don’t f—ing belong at a baseball park.” 

Classy.  During the exchange, McDowell brandished a bat and used it to threaten spectators.  He also used it to simulate a sex act, manifesting his words in a spectacularly distasteful display of stupidity.