NewsLowe up for prestigious Hutch honor
Mariners reliever grateful to be in contention for 'Seattle award'
By Jim Street / MLB.com
10/28/09 1:24 PM ET
SEATTLE -- For the past three years, Mariners reliever Mark Lowe was an interested spectator at the annual Hutch Award luncheon held at Safeco Field.He might be the main attraction the next time.
Lowe is one of the 10 nominees for the Hutch Award, presented annually to the Major League player who best exemplifies the "Honor, Courage and Dedication" of the late Fred Hutchinson, who grew up in Seattle and became one of the most celebrated baseball players in Emerald City history.
"To even be nominated is an honor," Lowe said. "To me, it's a Seattle award and it would be a great honor to win it."
The coveted award traditionally goes to a player who has overcome adversity in his professional or personal life and previous winners include Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax, Johnny Bench, Tommy John and former Mariners Jamie Moyer and John Olerud.
Mike Sweeney, who spent this past season with the Mariners, is also a previous winner.
Joining Lowe on the list of nominees this year are: Jonny Gomes (Reds), Tim Hudson (Braves), Torii Hunter (Angels), Mike Lowell (Red Sox), Nick Markakis (Orioles), Kevin Millwood (Rangers), Justin Morneau (Twins), Albert Pujols (Cardinals) and Mark Teahen (Royals).
The winner will be announced in mid-November via a vote of all surviving former awardees and presented on Jan. 27, 2010, during the annual fundraiser luncheon at Safeco Field.
As a participant in the annual Mariners Caravan in each of the past three years, Lowe was in Seattle during the Hutch Award ceremony and attended each one of them.
"I really didn't know that much about the award until I went to the luncheon for the first time," he said. "I have learned just how big of a deal it is and how much of an honor it is just to be nominated."
Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester, who overcame cancer to continue his brilliant career, was the winner last year.
Lowe has gone through some tough times during his career, overcoming elbow surgery in 2006, and continues to deal with being a Type 1 diabetic, which was diagnosed last year.
"I just didn't feel right," he said. "I was tired all the time and I lost 15 pounds [during the offseason]."
The already-slender Texan could ill-afford to lose that much weight and continue to feel sluggish practically all the time.
Lowe said he initially was diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetic, which doesn't require insulin shots. But further tests disclosed that he actually was Type 1, where the body does not produce insulin.
He began taking the four-to-five daily insulin shots midway through Spring Training last year and turned into one of the Mariners' most dependable relievers. He led the staff with a career-high 75 appearances -- 18 more than his previous high -- and ranked fourth in the American League in "holds" with 26.
Lowe said he injects himself with insulin and monitors his blood sugar regularly from the time he wakes up in the morning until he goes to sleep.
The 26-year-old from Houston said he has learned to live with the daily injections, but has his fingers crossed that someday there will be cure for the disease.
Hutchinson, a former player and manager in the Major Leagues, succumbed to cancer at the age of 45. The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center was named in his honor by his brother, Dr. Bill Hutchinson.
Jim Street is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
