Scott Downs is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for several teams during his career. He was born on March 17, 1976, in Louisville, Kentucky, and attended Pleasure Ridge Park High School. After graduating, he was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the third round of the 1994 MLB draft but did not sign with the team.
Instead, Downs attended the University of Kentucky and played college baseball for the Wildcats. He was drafted again in 1997, this time by the Chicago Cubs in the third round. He signed with the team and began his professional career in the minor leagues.
Downs made his MLB debut with the Cubs in 2000, but he only appeared in two games for the team before being traded to the Montreal Expos. He spent the next few seasons bouncing between the Expos and their Triple-A affiliate, the Ottawa Lynx.
In 2005, Downs was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays, where he found more success. He became a reliable left-handed reliever for the team and was often used in high-pressure situations. He recorded his first save in 2006 and continued to be a valuable member of the Blue Jays bullpen for several seasons.
After leaving the Blue Jays in 2010, Downs played for several other teams, including the Los Angeles Angels, Atlanta Braves, and Kansas City Royals. He continued to be a reliable reliever throughout his career, and he retired in 2014 with a career ERA of 3.79.
Throughout his career, Downs was known for his ability to get left-handed batters out. He had a deceptive delivery and a good breaking ball that made it difficult for lefties to make solid contact. He was also known for his durability and his willingness to pitch in any situation.
Off the field, Downs was known for his charitable work. He and his wife, Katie, started the Downs Family Foundation, which supports children with Down syndrome and their families. The foundation hosts an annual charity golf tournament and has raised thousands of dollars for the cause.
Overall, Scott Downs had a successful career as a Major League Baseball pitcher. He was a reliable reliever who was known for his ability to get left-handed batters out. He played for several teams throughout his career and was a valuable member of each one. Off the field, he was a dedicated philanthropist who worked to support children with Down syndrome and their families.
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