Scott Downs

Through the help of a fellow collector over on the SCN message boards, I've pick up three more ATCRCS cards for the collection. All three players are former Cubs and currently play for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. And because they are all still active, I have not made backs for them yet, in the off chance they make a Cubs comeback. To give them each their proper due though, I'll be showcasing them individually

First up is pitcher, Scott Downs. After being drafted by the Cubs in 1997, but while still in the minors, Downs was the "player to be named later" in a trade with the Minnesota Twins that brought pitcher Mike Morgan back to Chicago in 1998. Just a few months later, Downs himself came back to the Cubs, along with Rick Aguilera in another trade that sent Kyle Lohse and Jason Ryan to Minnesota.

He made his MLB debut in 2000, a no-decision 8-7 extra innings loss to the Cincinnati Reds. Downs was the winning pitcher on record when he exited the game with a 6-3 lead in the 7th inning. Typical Cubs bullpen, same story, different year.

Downs started 18 games for the Cubs that year, going 4-3 with a 5.29 ERA before being traded to the Montreal Expos for Rondell White. He spent a couple of seasons in Montreal before signing with that other Canadian team for six seasons. There, he converted to relieving games and even tied for the American League lead in games as a pitcher with 81 in 2007. Downs signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim following the 2010 season.

The signature itself is nice and bold and he even added his jersey number 37. Downs has been #37 with the Angels, the Blue Jays and the Expos but wore both #35 and #37 during his short stint with the Cubs so at least it matches up.

According to Cubs By the Numbers, he started as #37 but switched with Brant Brown to be #35. I have no idea who initiated the switch. I wonder if it was one of those deals where one of them just had to be a certain number and had to gift the only player something luxurious in return?