July 15, 200322 yr It was him who didnt want to go! :thumbdown He should of gone.... Lowell turns down Derby By Mike Berardino Staff writer Posted July 15 2003 CHICAGO ? A representative of Major League Baseball called Mike Lowell in his hotel room on Monday morning to invite him to the Home Run Derby later that evening. Considering the pain in his left groin, it didn't take him long to decide. "I respectfully declined," Lowell said. Only Barry Bonds has more home runs than Lowell's 28 entering the All-Star break, but Lowell was afraid he might aggravate the injury if he participated in the trumped-up event. He also thought it would be poor form to swing for the fences after sitting out last Wednesday's game against the Chicago Cubs. "If something happened, then I'd have to answer to a higher authority," he said, meaning Marlins manager Jack McKeon. Lowell plans to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging exam on Friday but remains hopeful he won't have to spend any time on the disabled list with the groin problem. His only experience in homer contests came at the 1998 Triple-A All-Star Game in Albuquerque. Matched against seven others, Lowell made it into the semifinals before falling to former Orioles prospect Willis Otanez. "You've seen me take batting practice," Lowell said. "It wouldn't be any fun having me in there. Those other guys hit balls into the eighth row. I'd be blowing just to get mine over the wall." Link
July 15, 200322 yr This is the first I heard about him declining it, I thought he hadn't been invited. But good to know he was invited.
July 15, 200322 yr Author Yea at least he was invited but it is true Jack McKeon would be in trouble with Loria and the Front Office! ANyways When I watch Mike Lowell take batting practice he barely hits any Homers....
July 15, 200322 yr that good cuz i rather him not go than get injuryed and not play for bout 1 month or so
July 15, 200322 yr yeah, this is no surprise......he said last week if they asked, he'd say no because he doesn't wanna aggravate his groin muscle.
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