Mark Lowe

Mark Quote: “It was not fun knowing it was something you’ll have to do the rest of your life, poking yourself with a needle forever. But you get over it and know it could be way, way worse. In the long run, it’s something that will help you – staying in shape, eating right. You have to look at it in the big picture.”

Mark Lowe was born in Houston, TX on June 7, 1983. After attending Fort Bend Baptist Academy and the University of Texas at Arlington, he was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the fifth round of the 2004 amateur draft. He made his major league debut on July 7, 2006. Lowe bats left-handed and throws right-handed; his fastball has been clocked as high as 101 miles per hour. Lowe was placed on the disabled list in August with tendinitis in his right elbow and later underwent arthroscopic surgery.At 6’3″ and 210 pounds, Lowe is now a 25-year-old relief pitcher for the Seattle Mariners. After a team physical, Lowe was initially diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. He then lost approximately 15 pounds in the off-season as he attempted to manage his diet and blood sugar. His doctor eventually changed his diagnosis to type 1, and as a result, Lowe started daily insulin injections and tests his blood sugar five times a day.

Lowe often turns to his bullpen mate, Brandon Morrow, who also has diabetes. Even though Lowe has a trainer, a team doctor, a team nutritionist, an endocrinologist, and in the process of obtaining a diabetes-specific nutritionist, he trusts Morrow and seeks his advice. In 2008, Lowe set career-highs in games, 57; innings, 63.2; and strikeouts, 55. He ranked second in games and third in innings and strikeouts among Mariners’ relievers.