The one night that best symbolized the year Mike Lowell had on defense was Aug. 11, when Lowell threw his entire body into the stands down the third-base line to track down a foul ball off the bat of Baltimore's Nick Markakis. That play was a combination of skill, fearlessness and determination, which Minnesota Twins vs Boston Red Sox tickets Fenway Park Lowell showcased at the hot corner all year long. Fans noticed, judging by the fact that Lowell has been named the Defensive Player of the Year in fifth annual This Year in Baseball Awards.
If not for Lowell's superb fielding at Minnesota Twins vs Boston Red Sox tickets Fenway Park third base, the Red Sox would not have been able to set the all-time record for fielding percentage with a glittering mark of Minnesota Twins vs Boston Red Sox tickets Fenway Park .981. There didn't seem to be a play Lowell didn't master, whether it was snaring a liner, making a diving stab, gobbling up grounders, starting a 5-4-3 double play with Minnesota Twins vs Boston Red Sox tickets Fenway Park precision, or the occasional trek into the dugout or stands for that foul ball.
The night Lowell robbed Markakis, he had been struck in the batting helmet in the bottom of the first inning. Many players would leave the game after such a beaning. Minnesota Twins vs Boston Red Sox tickets Fenway Park Not Lowell, who produced one of his best all-around games of the year that night. "He wants to win so bad, and he Minnesota Twins vs Boston Red Sox tickets Fenway Park shows up every day with the same demeanor," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "He cares about his teammates and plays the game correctly." The hot corner doesn't look so Minnesota Twins vs Boston Red Sox tickets Fenway Park daunting the way Lowell so effortlessly plays it.
Coming off a Gold Glove season Minnesota Twins vs Boston Red Sox tickets Fenway Park for the Marlins in 2005, Lowell showed his defensive prowess from the moment he arrived in Boston. In 153 games, Lowell committed Minnesota Twins vs Boston Red Sox tickets Fenway Park just six errors, his lowest total since becoming an everyday player in 2000. Playing at a position where Minnesota Twins vs Boston Red Sox tickets Fenway Park there is always a lot of action, Lowell went 70 games without an error -- a span which began on May 24 and ended on Aug. 18.
How good is Lowell defensively? His .977 fielding percentage Minnesota Twins vs Boston Red Sox tickets Fenway Park is the best in history among third basemen who have played at least 1,000 games. "I think it's backing your team all the time," Lowell said. "I think you earn respect by just coming every day to play. Whether things are good or bad, Minnesota Twins vs Boston Red Sox tickets Fenway Park or whether you're hurt or whether you're feeling 100 percent, I respect guys that grind it out. I've never really Minnesota Twins vs Boston Red Sox tickets Fenway Park felt like I shouldn't play a day that I'm at the park.