Another blow to the Braves: Derek Lowe arrested for DUI
Derek Lowe's mug shot. (Atlanta Department of Corrections)
The Hawks just won a playoff series. The Falcons moved up to take Julio Jones. And the Braves?
They’re having a week no team wants to have.
If sorting out what to do about pitching coach Roger McDowell wasn’t difficult enough, the Braves awoke this morning to learn that Derek Lowe, who has become their best big-game pitcher and who has long been considered a clubhouse exemplar of how to be a professional, was arrested on charges of DUI.
The team is expected to announce something today regarding McDowell, having spent Thursday trying to gather information. And now they get to read about Lowe being arrested smack in the middle of Buckhead.
And to think: On the field, the Braves are doing well. They finished a difficult West Coast road trip by winning five of six games and have climbed back to .500. They’ve got that going for them, if nothing else.
9:54 a.m. update: The Braves have released this statement:
Obviously we are concerned and disappointed about the events involving Derek Lowe overnight. We are currently gathering information and plan to address this matter later today.
10:36 a.m. update: As reported by colleague Mike Morris, a Georgia State Patrol spokesman says Lowe was allegedly racing another driver down Peachtree Road.
By Mark Bradley
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255 comments Add your comment
Skeezix
April 29th, 2011
1:39 pm
The Braves pitching department is starting to look like the movie Dumb and Dumber. A DUI is a serious crime even when one doesn’t add racing to the incident. Between Roger’s antics (not exactly setting a fine example as a leader) and Derek, one has to ask what the H_ _ _ _ is going on around here? I mean racing in Buckhead? Are they idiots? And our society pays millions of dollars to these kind of ne’er do wells??!!
FG better set the proper tone and get control quick or his butt will be next in the hot seat. FG–we fans still haven’t forgotten about that ugly 7th inning in LA when you went AWOL.
zack
April 29th, 2011
1:43 pm
Mr. Dan…….Excellent Question
jumbotiger
April 29th, 2011
1:45 pm
If the allegations regarding McDowell are true he should be fired.
Stupid decision by Lowe.
Falcon Josh
April 29th, 2011
1:47 pm
Remember a couple of hockey players racing around Atlanta. One is dead the other left town
Louie The DUI
April 29th, 2011
1:47 pm
Man, the Braves are a complete shame to MLB. First a coach that slanders & threatens fans with kids. Now we have a Jimmie Johnson wannabe drunk behind the wheel. Lowe looked uncomfortable on the mound last time out. He addicted to alcohol. The symptoms are there.
Fredi Gonzalez is the boss of both of them. Will he take action or do nothing ?
fred
April 29th, 2011
1:55 pm
Who’s Next?
Don’t you just love the Union…can’t do crap to Lowe he’s in union but you can fire Roger because there is no Coaches union. Alot of BS—sr** the UNION!
Bulldawg
April 29th, 2011
1:55 pm
I agree with many posters on here saying the hole DUI racket is just that, a racket. .08 is WAY too low. They just have a very strong lobby in MADD.
In other words, this is a non-story in my eyes.
braveshoo
April 29th, 2011
1:56 pm
McDowell and now Lowe. You never saw this kind of stuff when Bobby Cox was managing. Not only does this reflect poorly on the individuals and the organization, it is a big distraction that can affect the performance of the team.
fred
April 29th, 2011
1:58 pm
They didn’t do anything to Cox when he hit his wife etc………..braveshoo lets back up…
SawThat1nce
April 29th, 2011
2:00 pm
1:56……..”Never saw this kind of stuff with Bobby managing.”
Nixon, Furcal, Cox himself. Oh yeah.
SawThat1nce
April 29th, 2011
2:01 pm
Coaches are part of management.
fred
April 29th, 2011
2:06 pm
Nothing will happen because of “union” but Roger will probably get the axe. Good day and thats all on this subject.
Dan Gurney
April 29th, 2011
2:14 pm
If this over-privileged lout wants to drive a Porsche race car, them let him field his own entry at LeMans.
Fredi's got no booger finger
April 29th, 2011
2:19 pm
Braves are on a roll, what’s next ? Brawl on the field on civil rights day?
Barley Corn
April 29th, 2011
2:19 pm
Hey, “bulldawg,” what is the “hole DUI racket”? But, seriously, spelling-challenged redneck, you have it backwards when you allege the “strong” MADD lobby is behind an unjust DUI %. The liquor lobby and the DUI shysters are much more influential than a host of mothers.
bill
April 29th, 2011
2:20 pm
Milquetoast didn’t work. Maybe a little controversy will wake these guys up or distract them. We went years without fire, controversy or world series rings.. At least he didn’t hit his wife. He was foolish not criminal.
SEC Watch
April 29th, 2011
2:32 pm
As the Braves’ & MLB executives consider Lowe’s DUI, do they believe that all of the folks who drink beer at their games take a cab or MARTA home? I think not.
While separate from Lowe’s circumstances, the philosophical context may apply. In providing the alcohol to almost certain DUI candidates in a crowded driving environment create liability. Wasn’t Delta Air Lines taken to court on this issue a few years ago?
Oakhurst Dude
April 29th, 2011
2:36 pm
Much ado about nothing. Violations of the PC code. Write about some real issues, like putting the lives of the tornado victims back together.
Elbert Gurley
April 29th, 2011
2:41 pm
what is the big deal. Bobby Cox beat up his wife and got away with it.
nobody
April 29th, 2011
2:46 pm
standing on the mound in the middle of the diamond on a hot, humid Sunday afternoon…sweating like crazy…sporting a 2-3 record… wondering…what happened?…hoping folks who pay big bucks to watch him pitch will understand all the pressures he has in his life….
Clyde
April 29th, 2011
2:53 pm
When a dark skinned male from the NBA or NFL gets a DUI he’s a thug. So what do you call a light skinned male from the MLB that gets a DUI?
Does the word “thug” only apply to young dark skinned people?
Kathy
April 29th, 2011
2:57 pm
I still can’t believe all the “what’s the big deal” comments referring to the DUI. What if one of your family members was killed by a drunk driver? Bet it would be a big deal then!
Mark Bradley
April 29th, 2011
3:06 pm
The Braves announced they’ve placed Roger McDowell on administrative leave pending completion of their internal investigation. Minor-league pitching coordinator Dave Wallace will fill in.
Paradox
April 29th, 2011
3:18 pm
I sense the impending irony of a coach getting fired for mouthing off whilst a player gets fined and suspended for endangering lives like a drunken moronic teenager.
Snake Doc
April 29th, 2011
3:25 pm
Careful calling people thugs – According to Twit Towers thats racist and he will ban you from his blog. I guess the liberal arts major from nowhere nit wit doesn’t understand no matter what the color of your skin you too could be thug.
What panty waist idiot!
Rhodey
April 29th, 2011
4:01 pm
If you are disturbed by what Roger McDowell does with baseball bats, you do NOT even want to know how he mistreats his Tomahawks.
MitchC
April 29th, 2011
4:21 pm
I agree with the move on McDowell, Mark. I’m troubled to hear about what happened with Lowe. Hopefully, he just made a mistake, and it can be resolved, although, DUI is serious.
It will be interesting to see how the team performs on this homestand with these distractions.
JeanE
April 29th, 2011
4:25 pm
This may not be fair but honestly, my first thoughts were, this stuff just didn’t happen when Bobby was the manager. Roger must have just snapped his cap or maybe that’s the real Roger. Sad in that he has kids himself. What, his kids don’t belong at a ballpark either? I still say if it’s all true, he should be canned. As for Derek, I am so very disappointed in him. I really have respected him for changing the way he pitches which shows a lack of ego but this is awful. I remember hearing he has some crazy expensive fast car, what, he has to drink and race it, prove what a man he is? He could have killed someone or himself. Stupid dumba**. Way to show the young guns on the team how to NOT act.
KK
April 29th, 2011
4:34 pm
Make KK the pitching coach, if he says anything wrong nobody will understand anyway
Jfreak13713
April 29th, 2011
5:00 pm
Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones! How many of you have drank a few and drove home? Maybe you weren’t drunk and were fully capable of driving safely but would not pass test if pulled over? Its a bad decision on Lowe’s part and the legal system will hand down due punishment. We are a nation of laws NOT MEN so let the laws excute judgment not the men full of fault themselves.
Go Braves and GO McDowell! You have my full support!
Reggie
April 29th, 2011
5:17 pm
Derek Lowe and Roger McDowell are just 2 more under-educated THUGS in baseball.
wally
April 29th, 2011
5:19 pm
I am fed up with such juk with our atheletes. Too much money.. a penalty of five hundred thoosand dollars a suspended for six months. MAKE THEM PAY, MAKE THEM HURT. Just maybe these Rich people will realize they are not God’s gift to the world. God gave them this talent and most of these athletes are going to burn in hell
Donaldo
April 29th, 2011
6:17 pm
Given recent events, it would seem to me the only real punishment for McDowell and Lowe would be to a reality check. I suggest both lead of group of volunteers at their expense to North GA. to help the thousands of people that need help to rebuild their lives. It would be a humbling experience for everyone, help is needed, and if they miss a few games, the season is not lost, it just might provide them a reality check, not a paycheck.
JK
April 29th, 2011
6:43 pm
Derek noLowe contendre
bigdawg
April 29th, 2011
7:39 pm
It’s probably been said above, but I will NEVER understand why multi-millionaire athletes/celebs drive themselves when they’re going out clubbing!?! Hire a car service, man! Then, you can get as blotto as you want and know one will know but you!
Derek Lowe
April 29th, 2011
8:26 pm
[...] [...]
Another blow to the Braves: Derek Lowe arrested for DUI | Mark Bradley | BuzzNow.co.in
April 29th, 2011
8:52 pm
[...] the original here: Another blow to the Braves: Derek Lowe arrested for DUI | Mark Bradley ATLANTA — Atlanta Braves pitcher Derek Lowe was charged with drunken driving, another [...]
Derek Lowe’s mug shot. (Atlanta Department of Corrections) – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)
April 30th, 2011
4:11 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
TheAntiMe
April 30th, 2011
6:38 am
Well, the Braves have had the sex incident this week (Gay slurs by pitching coach). And they have had the drugs incident this week (DUI arrest of starting pitcher). So look for the Rock & Roll incident to come at any time in the next few days (David Ross arrested for playing Eddie Money CD too loud while driving down Peachtree Street).
Derek Lowe’s mug shot. (Atlanta Department of Corrections) – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | DUI Attorney Local
April 30th, 2011
7:37 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Mike
April 30th, 2011
10:57 am
Gloria Allred gets involved and the Braves management becomes the cowards they are.
Lowe issue is personal. On personal time his mistakes are his business not the Braves or AJC. He apoligized lets move on.
LawdogLowe
May 1st, 2011
4:57 am
Smart D-Lowe. Real smart. For all of you who are condemming him, lets just remember that he was smart and refused the tests. For all anyone knows he could have had just a small amount of alcohol with his dinner. Not enough to impair him. But because alcohol was detected on his breath and he refused testing, the officer had no choice but to arrest. It doesn’t mean he was drunk! Look at the mugshot. He doesn’t look drunk to me. The other charges, where he was racing his car, I agree was pretty stupid of him. That being said, leave Lowe alone and let the lawyers handle it!
LawdogLowe
May 1st, 2011
5:01 am
And as far as McD goes…I think we need all the facts before we pass judgement. As anyone who has ever been to a ball game knows, there are some annoying fans out there. I’m curious to know what exactly the fan was doing which caused McD’s reaction. I saw someone put on here to bring back Leo. Yea, that would be cool!
Trey
May 1st, 2011
10:11 pm
Elbert, and Brett Myers beat his wife. What’s your point?
Leon Steele
May 1st, 2011
10:55 pm
Solid info! I wonder if this’ll show up on CoachWatcher. CW is the place to go for all the coaching info, news, and rumors. http://www.CoachWatcher.com
Birdman3
May 2nd, 2011
4:59 pm
All I want for Christmas is a Center Fielder, we really miss Andruw and I thick its time to move on from Nate & Jordan, they have had enough time to develope, we get no production out of that position, no stolen bases, ho hits, defense is suspect, why are they on the roster, we usually bring up young out fielders quick, I here we have 2 studds waiting to come up. I would love to see Nigier Morgan or one of those young guys for the Marlins if we can make a trade, we need more speed.
Assbat McDowell
May 2nd, 2011
11:55 pm
I’m so glad the news about Bin Laden getting killed broke right after I was handed my slap on the wrist. No one had a chance to be outraged. Ha ha ha ha ha !!!!
“Just a good ole boy….la la la”
enz
May 3rd, 2011
4:09 pm
Can you tell us what Buster Olney said about the fans being unruly in the stands?
John Wood
May 3rd, 2011
6:01 pm
Terrorist behind the wheels of cars instead of airplanes. Killing and injuring innocent people. No regard for lives. I hate drunk drivers. Have you never seen what they do to families? Get tough of those who break the law.
oscar the grouch
May 4th, 2011
9:06 am
@ Doc and Ken Stallings:
1st: it is absolutely within a person’s right to refuse the roadside breathalyzer and the field sobriety tests. Both are inherently flawed. Look no further than the Commish in Gwinnett County case. He blew a .00 and the cop didn’t believe the breathalyzer. If it were such a perfect tool for gauging when someone is over the limit, why the heck did the person trained in it’s usage believe that it “must” be faulty? The machine used in the state of Ga is well over 10 years old. Shouldn’t we have more advanced equipment?!?
2nd: “In Georgia alone since 2000, there have been 4781 DUI related fatalities. 4062 of those were above .08. That means 719 of those killed were below a .08.” Instead of just copying and posting what someone else wrote on a website, actually do some research. Dig a little deeper into those numbers and study the actual 4781 cases. Better yet, do a little research on the total number of vehiclular fatalities in Ga. It’s not all that it seems. If the person that was killed (through no fault of their own) had beer in the car or had a drink before being killed, then it goes down, “statistically,” as an alcohol related death.
3rd: Since 1978, the level for gauging intoxication has fallen .07. So, what is considered drunk now, was not drunk in 1982. Now before you rationalize that our technology and research is better now and we realize the errors in our previous ways, consider WHY the level has dropped. MADD has spent an obscene amount of money on political campaigns. You are no more intoxicated now then you were in 1982. In addition, if you blow BELOW the “legal limit” you can be charged with DUI-less safe. Why is that? The officer will say that you had been drinking and he thought you were “less safe” a driver. If convicted, you will face the same penalities as someone who is .15. IF over the past 30 years we, as humans, can’t process alcohol like we used to OR we’ve discoverd that folks are less safe at .08, then shouldn’t we use more advanced equipment to keep up with the times?
4th: It is a purely financial motivated proposition. Federal funding and state funding of our civil servants has dropped significantly. It is an easy way to generate significant funds. Additionally, the officers receive awards and “perks” for making DUI arrests. Not convictions, arrests. Make 50 arrests in a month and you are a gold medal plaque award winner, receive some type of gift, and may even be considered for a promotion = more salary. MADD contributes donations to their best performing jurisdictions, judges receive campaign donations for being “tough” on DUI’s. Appear logical on DUI’s and you will be picketed by MADD and they will do everything they can to get you removed from the bench.
5th: The DUI laws would be considered unconstitutional if it were for any other type of crime. Not taking the breathalyzer = admission of guilt? Hogwash.
I ask any of you up on the soapbox, have you ever been speeding? Driven through an “orange” traffic light? Did you turn yourself in for your infractions? How many deaths are due to speeding or reckless driving? Where are your quotes from the families that had children die due to someone speeding, texting or eating or putting on makeup?
Saying all of that, I am not defending drunk driving, but I am defending a person’s right to defend themselves from those that suggest this is black and white and that our laws are set up to exactly defend the innocent who’ve been killed.
It is no more serious to lose a child to a DUI driver than to a war in another country than to a driver speeding through a neighborhood than to an accident due to a faulty piece of playground equipment. Losing a child is something that no parent should have to experience. To place a higher price on this by copying and pasting someone’s quotes is irresponsible.