Scott Downs

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**Scott Downs**

Toronto Blue Jays — No. 37
Relief Pitcher
Born: March 17, 1976 (1976-03-17) (age 32)
Bats: Left	Throws: Left
Major League Baseball debut
April 9, 2000 for the Chicago Cubs
Selected MLB statistics (through May 16, 2008)
Win-Loss	21-18
Earned Run Average	4.33
Strikeouts	316
Teams
Chicago Cubs (2000) Montreal Expos (2000-2004) Toronto Blue Jays (2005-present)

Scott Jeremy Downs (born 17 March 1976) is an American baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Downs was born in Louisville, Kentucky and attended the University of Kentucky. He was selected by the Chicago Cubs in 3rd round (94th overall) of 1997 amateur entry draft (June Regular Phase). After his senior year at Pleasure Ridge Park High School in Louisville, KY, he was selected as Kentucky's Mr. Baseball.

Scott Downs is married and has two children. Every time he comes out to pitch, he writes his children's initials in the dirt on the mound.

He also played for the Edmonton Trappers where he pitched a perfect game.

On February 2, 2007 the Blue Jays and Downs agreed to a one-year, $1.025 million contract, avoiding the arbitration process. Downs proceeded to appear in 81 games for Toronto in the 2007 season, tying Baltimore's Jamie Walker for the American League lead in that category. Downs went 4-2 with a 2.17 earned-run average as a situational reliever, allowing 47 hits in 58 innings.

On January 18, 2008, the Blue Jays signed Downs to a three-year contract worth $10 million^[1].

[edit] Notes

^ Bastian, Jordan (2008-01-18). Blue Jays sign five of six players. MLB.com. Retrieved on 2008-03-04.

Contrary to popular belief, Downs does not write J.M.J. (Jesus Mary Joseph) in the dirt behind the mound before he pitches. As confirmed on the FAN 590 morning show during the week of May 19th, 2008, Downs confirmed he does in fact write the initials of his children: Grayson and (?).