Derek Lowe overwhelmed by Red Sox's classy gesture: Cleveland Indians Insider

Published: Sunday, May 13, 2012, 9:23 PM Updated: Sunday, May 13, 2012, 11

Boston -- Spend five minutes with Derek Lowe, and it's clear he can talk -- forever.

Before Saturday night's game between the Indians and Red Sox at Fenway Park, however, Lowe was rendered nearly speechless when Boston executives John Henry, Larry Lucchino and Tom Werner presented him with a 2004 World Series ring to replace the one that was stolen from his Florida home this year.
"You know me, I can talk," Lowe said. "But it was one of those moments where I didn't even know what to say. It wasn't like they just sent over a batboy or sent it over. All three of them came over to give it to me. They said some really nice things."

In 2004, Lowe went 14-12 with a 5.42 ERA in 33 starts, as the Red Sox ended an 86-year World Series drought by sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals.

Lowe went 3-0 in Boston's postseason drive. He started and won Game 7 of the American League Championship Series against the Yankees as the Red Sox overcame a 3-0 deficit in the best-of-seven series to reach the World Series. In the World Series, he pitched and won the clincher in Game 4.

In seven years with the Red Sox, Lowe went from closer to starter. He saved 81 games and had a record of 70-53.
"I just thought it was one of the classiest things I've seen," said Lowe before Sunday's game. "The traveling secretary called over to our clubhouse and said, 'Hey, someone is going to stop by and wants to give you something.' "
It's not like the Red Sox had an extra ring sitting in their kitchen junk drawer. They had to order it.
"They didn't have to do that at all," Lowe said. "I just don't want it to go unnoticed. I knew there was an opportunity for me to buy another one, but to have all three of them there when they gave it to me really meant a lot.

"It's something I'll never forget," Lowe said. "It almost means more this time because it was a selfless act on their part. I just want people to know they did this."

Lowe's original ring, a World Series trophy and other items worth about $90,000 were recently stolen from his home in Fort Myers, Fla. Lowe said the investigation is at a standstill.

"The police are still working on it," Lowe said. "But on a case like this, you probably need a mistake to be made [by the thieves to get caught]."

Left on left: His average doesn't show it, but Shin-Soo Choo says he's feeling more comfortable against lefties.
"I'm not good against left-handed pitchers right now, but I think I'm getting better," said Choo, who's hitting .103 (4-for-39) against lefties. "I'm not getting hits, but I feel much more comfortable in the batter's box now."
Choo has struggled against lefties since getting his left thumb broken by a Jonathan Sanchez pitch last year.
"Early in the season, I had a lot of hit-by-pitches, and then I was a little bit afraid of inside pitches," Choo said. "Now, after talking to the hitting coach and talking to players, I think I was more scared for my body. I was scared on inside pitches, and I'd turn too quick.

"Now, I'm hitting hard fly balls, hard ground balls against left-handed pitchers. I think it's getting better."
Same old, same old: Jose Lopez, who joined the Indians from Class AAA Columbus on Saturday, will fill the same role he had at the beginning of the season.

He'll back up Jack Hannahan at third and provide manager Manny Acta with a right-handed option at first base.
We remember: Before the top of the third inning Sunday, the Red Sox played a video tribute on the center-field scoreboard to Indians left fielder Johnny Damon. The background music was Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode."
It showed Damon doing great things for the Red Sox from 2002 through 2005. Damon came to the top step of the Indians' dugout and tipped his cap.

With the Indians, Damon is hitting .159 (7-for-44), with two RBI. In the four-game series at Fenway, Damon went 2-for-13.

"That's the first time they've acknowledged what I did with the Red Sox," Damon said. "It was nice. There were some hard feelings on both sides after I left for New York."

Finally: Acta on the Indians' left-handed hitters being exposed by lefty starters and relievers: "No one is sitting here saying that Choo, [Michael] Brantley, [Jason] Kipnis are platoon players. They were going to play against righties and lefties, regardless of our situation. . . . Should we trade Choo and Kipnis for right-handed hitters?"

5 ??? with Derek Lowe

BOSTON -- The 16-year MLB veteran is 5-1 in his first year with the Indians.

1. What do you like better, starting or relieving?

A: There's so much I like about both, but I'll say starting. I like the time in between starts to figure out what you can do if you're struggling. There is no time to figure stuff out when you're relieving.

2. What are you doing this year that you weren't doing last year when you lost 17 games with Atlanta?

A: The majority of it has had to do with huge mechanical changes that I'm not going to bore people with. I went back to pitching the way I did 10 years ago by throwing 75 to 80 percent sinkers instead of 40 percent.

3. At 38, how have you managed to fit in with one of the youngest clubs in the big leagues?

A: I've seen some older guys who were real big sticklers on old school baseball. They liked the way the game was played back when and had a hard time with the younger generation. I could care less how the game is played. I don't believe one style is better than the next. ... That definitely makes it easier to have that kind of mentality. It's a young game. If you don't accept it, you're going to be miserable.

4. After spending the last seven years in the National League, what challenges does the DH present?

A: I've found it easier than the National League. They swing the bats here. The National League is a lot more patient. They take a lot of pitches. In the American League, if you're on your game, you can have pretty quick innings.

5. What's your best baseball moment?

A: I would have to go with the World Series with Boston in 2004. So much because of what happened in 2003, losing to the Yankees in Game 7 of the ALCS. It was the best season I've ever been a part of.