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Improbably, Lowell a Red Sox to the end 09.02.10 at 10:15 am ET
By Alex Speier

BALTIMORE — It was an outcome that seemed at different times unlikely or undesirable.

From the time that he arrived in spring training, Red Sox infielder Mike Lowell seemed destined to be traded. He made no secret of the fact that he wanted to play, and after the team signed Adrian Beltre in the offseason, it had been painfully clear that the most likely way that he would do so was with another team.

And so, because he did not want to see playing time come through an injury to either Beltre or teammate Kevin Youkilis, Lowell made no secret of his desire to be dealt. At multiple points, the Sox had trades in place — one that would have sent Lowell to the Rangers, another that would have resulted in his landing with the Yankees by way of Texas — only to see them unravel due to concerns about his hip.

The July 31 trade deadline came and went with Lowell still with the Sox. The Aug. 31 deadline for waiver trades passed on Tuesday at midnight. When the dust settled, Lowell was still with the Red Sox.

And in the end, it was an outcome that he welcomed. Not only is Lowell getting the opportunity to play, but now, he will spend what will almost certainly be the final month of his baseball career in a city and uniform that mean a great deal to him.

“Obviously, at different points in the season, if it was going to a place where I would have played, I would have been happy with it,” said Lowell. “But the fact that I’m here with these guys, I feel like I have a great chance – whatever happens – to finish my career in this uniform. That’s a really good thing.”

To the end, there were rumors that he could move, with the revived possibility of a deal to Texas flickering to life (in one report) for about 30 minutes before getting quashed. Yet even a deal to a team with a clear path to the postseason represented, in the end, an unwanted outcome for Lowell.

Lowell has not given up entirely on the Sox’ playoff hopes for this year, even though he is aware of he obvious reality that the team would require something miraculous to reach the postseason. That said, when it came down to it, he viewed the chance to play out this season with the Sox as preferable to the alternatives.

“I wouldn’t have wanted to go onto another team to have a lesser role, especially if they’re not in the postseason chase. I fought that for five months. Why would I want that now?” Lowell said. “Pennant chase to face lefties once every six days? No, that doesn’t satisfy me, because in the postseason, it would be great, but I still wouldn’t play.”

That being the case, Lowell is finding satisfaction in being a member of the Sox, and in trying to achieve something unlikely. He is performing modestly — he has a .256 average and .689 OPS since becoming the team’s everyday first baseman following Kevin Youkilis‘ season-ending thumb injury — but he is nonetheless enjoying the fact that he is on the field in his final weeks as a player.

He has already looked ahead on the schedule, noting that the final regular-season game (which, he noted, he hopes is not the last game of the year) is at Fenway Park. With the end of his playing career in his sights, the idea of one last home game in a Red Sox uniform represents a source of great contentment, an outcome that at times seemed unlikely this year.

“I’m enjoying playing. Personally and collectively, I think we all want to play better, but that’s just the way it goes sometimes,” said Lowell. “The fans have treated me tremendously since the first day I got here. … I look at it as a privilege to be in this uniform. I choose to focus only on all the good things to happen in the last five years.”

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  • Joe Roberts

    Mike Lowell is a Boston Icon, in my oppinion… Thanks Mike Lowell for playing for the Boston Red Sox..

  • Harry Darisse

    “I look at it as a privilege to be in this uniform.” There should be more players like this, a real class A guy. Mike, you will be missed.

  • Rob Mc

    Mike Lowell is a class act. My favorite player he is an example of what and how kids today should be looking up to in MLB.

  • jason bay

    That’s because he was a yankee

  • Diane

    Class act. Been a Sox fan since the 60′s and Mike Lowell is and will always be my favorite. He represents everything a baseball player and a gentleman should be. Thanks for the memories Mike.

  • Al

    Lowell only played 7 games as a Yankee before he and they, both realized that he had too much class to continue with that particular team. He is the epitome of what the Red Sox mean to me. He’s a hard worker, a great teammate, an overachiever for what we expected. He will always, always be held in the highest esteem in Red Sox Nation. He survived the negative propaganda attempt of the powers that be, when they were trying to get rid of him. His is a class act and one of the best Red Sox players ever. For more than his bat and glove. He’s a WS MVP….we don’t have a whole lot of those!! Thank you Mike. For everything.

  • Linda

    Mike Lowell has always been and will always be my favorite player on the Red Sox. He has so much class and is just a really great guy. I will miss him if he ever leaves Boston.

  • Linda

    Mike Lowell is…..SIMPLY THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!

  • Roy

    A class act all the way! Glad to see he’ll finish the season in a Sox uniform. Thanks Mike!

  • JerseyRip

    Hey jason bay, get offa here you a**hole.

    Mike Lowell, MIKEY to me, is a true Red Sox player. When it appeared we had traded him to Tx, I was genuinely saddened. I knew he could still help us, and no-one deserves it more. I fully intend on being present on Sunday October 3rd for Mikey’s last game (there are no playoffs in the Sox future this season), and will cheer him long and loud. Thanks Mikey!

  • kkuru

    I agree with the above comments. Mike Lowell is one classy guy and although I’m glad he’ll be in Boston until the end, I’ll be very sad to see him go. Thanks for all you’ve done and meant to us Mike, and best wishes with your retirement. Maybe you’ll get to do some color commentating for NESN once in awhile!

  • RickyP

    Mike Lowell is one of the best hitters in baseball. He usually hits a blistering linedrive and seldom a popup. I believe that coaches should keep a scoring system where any linedrive counts as a hit. This year, someone always seems to be in “just the right spot” when Mike hits the ball. From watching all season, I believe his “real batting average” is closer to 290 than 260. At any rate, he and Jason Varitek continue to be my heroes.

  • PhilW

    Thanks for being a class act Mike. It’s great to have a player the kids can look up to. Thanks for all you’ve done with the Red Sox.

  • Paul

    Thank you for an amazing 5 years Mikey D. I call him D because for a while there it seemed like every time he stepped to the plate he would immediately hit a double. Class act, full of grit and determination.
    Thank you Mikey

  • Gail

    Mikey is the epitome of the word CLASS, integrity, honesty, and graciousness. Thank you Mikey, for all the wonderful aspects you’ve brought to this time. You are and always be my fave player. There will never be another. Please take the time you need with your family, and then get back into the game again? Mikey…………..Is simply the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • http://WEEI Bruce C Roy Sr

    I think the Red Sox should offer Mike Lowell a 1 year contract to continue playing for them for minimal pay

  • jason bay

    Its funny now that the sox have disappeared, all they can do is mention steroids by Yankee players, i guess the two championships they won with those two juice heads Ortiz and Manny seems to be forgotten, what a surprise. Then they will go to the they bought the championship. Just like they did with Manny and Schilling. There are no excuses Red Sox are a second class organization and will aways wish they where half as sucessful as the Yankees

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