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Adam Loewen
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Adam Alexander Loewen (born April 9, 1984) is a Canadian former professional baseball pitcher and outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Key Information

Loewen pitched in the major leagues for the Orioles from 2006 to 2008, before converting to a position player. He played with the Blue Jays as an outfielder in 2011. After spending the next two seasons in the minor leagues as a position player, Loewen converted back to a pitcher, and was called up to the Phillies in August 2015. He pitched for the Diamondbacks in 2016.

Though there have been full-time pitchers who have converted to full-time position players, and vice versa, Loewen's three-stage career (converting from full-time pitcher to full-time position player and back to full-time pitcher) is unique in major league history.

Biography

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Loewen grew up in Surrey, British Columbia, and was both a starting pitcher and first baseman for Kennedy-Surrey Little League, the team that represented Canada at the 1996 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.[1] He would go on to attend Fraser Valley Christian High School and play baseball for the Whalley Chiefs of the British Columbia Premier Baseball League. He committed to play college baseball at Arizona State. While still in high school, he pitched a no-hitter against the Dominican Summer League Pirates for the Canadian national baseball team.[2]

Professional career

[edit]

Baltimore Orioles

[edit]

The Baltimore Orioles selected Loewen in the first round, with the fourth overall pick, of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft.[3] This was the highest a Canadian player had ever been drafted until righthander Jameson Taillon was drafted second overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates (though he remains the highest Canadian-born player ever picked, as Taillon was born the child of Canadian nationals in Florida). Loewen went on to play one season with Chipola College, but signed a Major League Baseball contract with Baltimore worth $4.02 million shortly thereafter. In 2004, he was named their top prospect by Baseball America. However, by early 2006, he had been downgraded to the team's second best prospect.[citation needed]

Loewen garnered international attention on March 8, 2006, when he started for Canada against the United States team in the first round of the 2006 World Baseball Classic. Loewen pitched 3+2⁄3 scoreless innings and earned the win.[4]

During the 2006 season, Loewen was called up by the Orioles. In his first four major league starts, he faced three former Cy Young Award winners: Randy Johnson, Tom Glavine and Roy Halladay, whom he faced twice. This made Loewen the first pitcher in Major League Baseball history to face Cy Young winners in his first four starts.[5] He was injured early in the 2007 season, suffering a stress fracture to his pitching elbow, and was later placed on the 60-day disabled list in May.[6]

Loewen began to develop control problems during spring training, where he led the Majors in walks, with 19 in just over 16 innings.[7] His lack of control did not cease during the early stages of the regular season, and after experiencing soreness in his left arm throughout April, Loewen was placed on the disabled list and missed the next two months of the season.[8] Although he was subsequently converted into a relief pitcher when he returned in July, he experienced a sharp pain in his surgically repaired elbow. This injury, diagnosed as a stress fracture, eventually caused him to prematurely end his season.[9] Loewen announced on July 19 that he would no longer be a pitcher due to his chronic injuries, and that he would convert to an outfielder/first baseman.[10] He temporarily ended his pitching career with a lifetime 8–8 record, with an earned run average of 5.38 and 134 strikeouts; he would return to pitching in 2014, as recounted below.

Transition to position player

[edit]
Loewen batting for the Las Vegas 51s, Triple-A affiliates of the Toronto Blue Jays, in 2011.

Due to the nature of his injury and his inability to remain as a pitcher, Loewen had the Orioles' support when he made the decision to transition to a position player. His contract stipulated that he was required to remain with the big league club on its active roster at this stage in his career. As Loewen would need time in the minors to learn a new position and pick up batting experience, both sides agreed on October 20, 2008, that Loewen would be released from his contract. Both sides had talked about re-signing him to a minor league contract though no formal agreement was ever reached. The Orioles had hoped to develop Loewen to play at first base but were also actively in the market to sign free agent first basemen. Loewen reportedly received several offers from other teams, and signed a minor-league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.[11][12] After attending minor-league spring training with the Jays, Loewen was assigned to the Dunedin Blue Jays on April 9, 2009.[13]

During 2011 with Triple-A Las Vegas, Loewen batted .306 with 17 home runs and 85 RBI in 134 games, which also saw him play all three outfield positions as well as first base.[14]

Toronto Blue Jays

[edit]

Loewen was called up to the Blue Jays on September 6, 2011, marking his first trip back to the majors since becoming a position player.[15][16] Loewen made his position player debut on September 7, against the Boston Red Sox. He recorded his first career hit in the eighth inning, against reliever Daniel Bard.[17] In a game against his former team, the Baltimore Orioles, on September 11, Loewen hit his first career home run, a solo shot over the centre field wall off starter Tommy Hunter.[18]

New York Mets

[edit]

On November 22, 2011, Loewen signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets.[19] He spent most of the 2012 season with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, batting .227 with eight home runs and 27 RBI in 63 games.[14]

Toronto Blue Jays (second stint)

[edit]

The Toronto Blue Jays announced on January 12, 2013, that Loewen had been signed to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.[20] Initially, Loewen was to start the 2013 season with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats; however, on April 2, Loewen was promoted to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, where he played during 2012 in the Mets farm system.[21] On April 11, Loewen was sent down to Double-A New Hampshire.[22] In 115 games with New Hampshire, he hit .269 with 15 home runs and 60 RBI.[14]

Philadelphia Phillies and return to pitching

[edit]

On April 16, 2014, Loewen signed a two-year minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies as a pitcher. The team sent him to extended spring training.[23] He made two starts in May for the High-A Clearwater Threshers before being promoted to the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils.[24]

On August 7, 2015, Loewen was called up by the Phillies from the Triple–A Lehigh Valley IronPigs.[25] In 20 appearances for the Phillies, he struggled to a 6.98 ERA with 22 strikeouts across 19+1⁄3 innings of work. On October 7, Loewen was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Triple–A Lehigh Valley.[26] He elected free agency on October 12.

Arizona Diamondbacks

[edit]

On October 30, 2015, Loewen signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.[27] On July 30, 2016, the Diamondbacks brought Loewen up from the Triple-A Reno Aces as a pitcher.[28] In 8 appearances for the Diamondbacks, he struggled to a 15.00 ERA with 3 strikeouts over 6 innings of work. Loewen was designated for assignment by Arizona on August 15.[29] He cleared waivers and was outright to Triple-A Reno on August 18.[30] Loewen elected free agency on October 5.

Texas Rangers

[edit]

On February 13, 2017, Loewen signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.[31] In 50 appearances out of the bullpen split between the Double–A Frisco RoughRiders and Triple–A Round Rock Express, he accumulated a 6–1 record and 3.81 ERA with 67 strikeouts across 52 innings pitched. Loewen elected free agency following the season on November 6.[32]

On January 12, 2018, Loewen re-signed with the Rangers.[33] On May 31, Loewen was released by the Rangers after spending the beginning of the year with Triple-A Round Rock.[34]

New Britain Bees

[edit]

On June 26, 2018, Loewen signed with the New Britain Bees of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[35] In 26 appearances for the Bees, he registered a 3–0 record and 1.64 ERA with 28 strikeouts across 22 innings of relief. Loewen became a free agent following the 2018 season.

International career

[edit]

Loewen played for the Canadian national baseball team at the 2006 World Baseball Classic, 2009 Baseball World Cup 2013 World Baseball Classic, 2019 Pan American Games Qualifier[36] and 2019 WBSC Premier12.[37] He came out of retirement to pitch in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.[38]

Personal life

[edit]

Loewen and his wife, Lynda, had two children. She died from breast cancer in 2021 at the age of 37.[38]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Adam Loewen

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Adam Loewen (born April 9, 1984) is a Canadian former professional baseball pitcher and outfielder who played parts of six seasons in (MLB) for the Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, and Arizona Diamondbacks. Drafted fourth overall by the Orioles in the 2002 MLB Draft out of Fraser Valley Christian High School in —the highest selection of a Canadian player at the time—Loewen debuted as a in 2006 but struggled with injuries and control issues, posting a 5.85 over 189.1 innings with 159 strikeouts in 63 appearances. In 2008, after being released by , Loewen signed with the Blue Jays and transitioned to to extend his career, spending several years in the minors where he showed promise as a left-handed hitter with power potential, including a .306 average and 17 s in Triple-A in 2011. He briefly returned to the majors as an with that year, batting .188 in 37 at-bats with one , before resuming pitching in 2014. Loewen made relief appearances for the Phillies in 2015 (1-0, 6.98 in 20 games) and Diamondbacks in 2016 (1-0, 15.00 in 8 games), marking his final MLB outings before focusing on minor and independent leagues. Throughout his career, Loewen represented internationally, including pitching in the and coming out of retirement in 2023 at age 38 to appear in the tournament, where he delivered key scoreless innings, including striking out Houston Astros outfielder . Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and batting left-handed, Loewen is remembered for his versatility and perseverance across positions, though injuries limited his big-league impact.

Early life

Youth baseball and education

Adam Loewen was born on April 9, 1984, in , , to parents Allen and Anne Loewen. He grew up in , where he was initially exposed to through local youth leagues, including the Kennedy-Surrey Little League. At age 12, Loewen helped lead the Kennedy-Surrey team to the 1996 in , representing after tossing a three-hit in the Canadian championships. 's squad finished with a 1-2 record, highlighted by Loewen's start in their sole victory, a 3-2 win over in which he pitched four innings and allowed one run. Loewen attended Fraser Valley Christian High School in , which lacked a team, so he honed his skills with the Whalley Chiefs of the British Columbia Premier League. After graduating in 2002, he had committed to but instead enrolled at Chipola Junior College in , for one season of . There, as a , he posted a 6-1 record with a 1.83 ERA in 12 pitching appearances while batting .375 with seven home runs at first base.

Amateur achievements and draft

Loewen committed to Arizona State University after graduating from Fraser Valley Christian High School in British Columbia, but following his selection as the fourth overall pick in the 2002 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles, protracted contract negotiations—where he sought closer to $4.2 million while the team offered approximately $2 million—prevented a timely signing, prompting him to enroll at Chipola Junior College in Marianna, Florida, to enhance his value and maintain eligibility. During the 2002-2003 season at Chipola, Loewen delivered a strong performance on the mound, compiling a 6-1 record with a 1.83 across 12 appearances, while also providing offensive contributions as a with a .375 . Scouting evaluations highlighted Loewen's prototypical power-pitcher build at 6 feet 6 inches tall, his smooth left-handed mechanics, and a that consistently sat at 92-93 mph while occasionally touching 95 mph, positioning him as a high-upside starter with plus velocity and command potential. The Orioles finalized a five-year, $4.02 million major league contract with Loewen on May 26, 2003—just five minutes before the signing deadline for 2002 draftees—featuring a $3.2 million , after which he reported directly to the organization's affiliates to begin his professional career.

Professional career

Baltimore Orioles and initial pitching years

Loewen was selected fourth overall in the 2002 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles out of Fraser Valley Christian High School in Surrey, British Columbia. Due to a contract dispute over signing bonus, he attended Chipola Junior College for one season before signing with the Orioles on May 26, 2003. He began his professional career in 2003 with the short-season Class A Aberdeen IronBirds of the New York-Penn League, where he appeared in seven games and recorded a 0-2 record with a 2.70 ERA over 23.1 innings pitched, striking out 25 batters. In 2004, Loewen advanced to full-season Class A ball, starting with the Delmarva Shorebirds of the South Atlantic League before a late-August promotion to the High-A Frederick Keys of the Carolina League; across both stops, he went 4-7 with a 4.34 ERA in 22 appearances (all starts), allowing 93 hits while striking out 85 in 93.1 innings. The 2005 season marked a significant step forward, as Loewen dominated at Frederick with a 10-8 record, 4.12 ERA, and 146 strikeouts in 142 innings across 28 starts, leading to a midseason promotion to Double-A Bowie Baysox of the Eastern League, where he posted a 4-2 mark with a 2.72 ERA in nine outings (eight starts). That year, he also represented the World Team in the All-Star Futures Game. Loewen earned his first call-up to the majors in 2006 and made his MLB debut on May 23 against the Seattle Mariners, entering in and allowing one earned run in 0.1 . His first start came soon after, and over the course of the season, the 22-year-old left-hander made 19 starts for , finishing 6-6 with a 5.37 , 98 strikeouts, and a 1.54 in 112.1 across 22 appearances. Despite control issues—he walked 67 batters—Loewen showed promise with his fastball-slider combination, holding opponents to a .275 . The 2007 brought challenges for Loewen, who was limited to six starts due to a in his left discovered in early May, leading to his placement on the 60-day disabled list after an unsuccessful rehab stint. He underwent to insert a titanium screw in the and finished the year 2-0 with a 3.56 in 30.1 innings, striking out 22. Loewen returned in 2008 but struggled with command and durability, posting a 0-2 record and 8.02 in seven games (four starts), allowing 28 hits in 21.1 innings before re-aggravating the in July, which prompted another disabled list placement. He also dealt with a in the second metatarsal of his right foot earlier in the , further limiting his effectiveness. The released Loewen in October 2008 after three seasons in the majors. Over his tenure as a , he appeared in 35 games (29 starts), compiling an 8-8 record with a 5.85 and 120 strikeouts in 163.2 innings. Persistent arm issues ultimately led to his conversion to .

Transition to outfield and Toronto Blue Jays stints

Following his unconditional release from the Baltimore Orioles on October 20, 2008, amid ongoing recovery from arm injuries including a 2007 surgery to insert a screw for a in his left , Adam Loewen signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on October 24, 2008. The deal enabled him to rehabilitate without the physical demands of pitching, allowing a full transition to playing and first base while leveraging his natural left-handed hitting ability. Loewen spent the 2009 season adapting to his new role with the Toronto affiliate in the , appearing in 103 games primarily in the and batting .236 with 4 home runs and 31 RBI. In 2010, he progressed to Double-A with the of the Eastern League, where he played 129 games across positions and first base, hitting .246 with 13 home runs and 70 RBI while stealing 17 bases. His development continued in 2011 at Triple-A with the Las Vegas 51s of the , where he enjoyed a strong campaign in 134 games, batting .306 with 17 home runs, 46 doubles, and 85 RBI, showcasing improved power and plate discipline in the hitter-friendly environment. Loewen's Triple-A success prompted his first major league call-up as a position player on September 6, 2011, and he debuted the next day, starting in right field against the Boston Red Sox at . Over the remainder of the season, he appeared in 14 games for the Blue Jays, mostly in the outfield, and batted .188 (6-for-32) with 1 and 4 RBI, including his first major league hit as a position player—a single off —and his lone homer against the Baltimore Orioles on September 10. After the 2011 season, Loewen signed a minor league contract with the and spent 2012 in their system at Double-A and Triple-A levels. He returned to the Blue Jays organization on January 12, 2013, via another minor league deal with an invitation to , but remained in the minors that year without a major league recall. Across his two major league stints with , Loewen played 14 games, batting .188 with 1 and 4 RBI.

New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies

In January 2012, Adam Loewen signed a minor league contract with the , transitioning to an outfield role after previous experience with the Toronto Blue Jays. He spent the season with the Mets' Triple-A affiliate, the , where he batted .227 with 8 home runs and 26 RBI in 59 games, but did not receive a major league call-up. Loewen was released by the Mets in July 2012. Following his release, Loewen signed with the Phillies organization in 2012 as an . He played the remainder of 2012 and all of 2013 in the Phillies' system, primarily with the Triple-A , batting .255 with 19 home runs and 72 RBI over 225 games. After struggling offensively and recovering from arm issues, Loewen decided to return to pitching in 2014, signing a two-year with the Phillies on 16. In his first season back on the mound, he posted a 3.31 with 84 strikeouts over 103.1 in 17 appearances at Double-A Reading, earning a promotion to Triple-A later that year. He continued pitching effectively in 2015 minors, recording a 2.01 in 40 games split between Double-A and Triple-A. Loewen returned to the major leagues with the Phillies on August 7, 2015, marking his first pitching appearance since 2008 and third overall MLB stint. In 20 relief outings, he went 1-0 with a 6.98 , 22 strikeouts, and 17 walks over 19.1 innings, securing his first win since 2007 on September 30 against the . As a during this period, Loewen had 3 at-bats with 1 hit for a .333 . The Phillies released him in November 2015, granting free agency.

Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, and late career

On October 30, 2015, Loewen signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, receiving an invitation to spring training. He spent the early part of the 2016 season with the Triple-A Reno Aces before his contract was selected by the Diamondbacks on July 30, allowing him to make his return to the major leagues as a reliever. In eight appearances that season, Loewen pitched 6.0 innings, posting a 1-0 record with a 15.00 ERA, seven hits allowed, six walks, and three strikeouts. The Diamondbacks designated him for assignment on August 15, 2016, to make room on the roster; he cleared waivers and was outrighted to Reno on August 18 before electing free agency on October 5. Following his release from the Diamondbacks organization, Loewen signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers on February 13, 2017, again with a spring training invitation. Assigned to the Triple-A Round Rock Express, he appeared in 32 games that season, working primarily in relief and recording a 6-0 mark over 31.1 innings with a 4.02 ERA, 42 strikeouts, and 29 walks. Loewen elected free agency on November 6, 2017, but re-signed with the Rangers on a minor league deal on January 9, 2018. His 2018 campaign at Round Rock was limited to five appearances and 5.0 innings, where he went 0-1 with a 1.80 ERA before the Rangers released him on May 31. Loewen's late-career return to pitching after years as a yielded limited major league success, with 28 relief appearances across the 2015 Philadelphia Phillies and 2016 Diamondbacks totaling 25.1 innings, a 2-0 record, and an 8.96 ERA. Hampered by accumulated injuries throughout his professional tenure, including prior stress fractures and elbow issues, Loewen retired following his 2018 release from the Rangers.

Independent leagues and retirement

Following his release from the Texas Rangers organization in May 2018, Loewen signed with the of the Atlantic League in August 2018. In 26 relief appearances for the Bees before the end of the season, he posted a 3-0 record with a 1.64 over 22 innings, allowing 19 hits and 4 walks while striking out 28 batters. Loewen was released by the Bees in October 2018 at age 34, after which he announced his retirement from . He came out of in 2023 to pitch for in the . Over his major league career spanning six seasons with four teams, he recorded a 10-8 pitching mark with a 5.85 and 159 strikeouts in 189.1 across 63 appearances (29 starts). As a hitter in 37 plate appearances, he batted .189 with 1 home run. In the minors across 15 seasons, Loewen compiled a 38-34 pitching record. In reflecting on his during a 2023 , Loewen highlighted the physical toll of injuries that derailed his early promise as a top pitching prospect, as well as the challenges of transitioning to an role mid-career for multiple major league stints. "I completely shut off ... it was tough," he said, emphasizing his appreciation for the game's enjoyment despite the setbacks and his decision to prioritize .

International career

World Baseball Classic appearances

Loewen debuted for Team in the inaugural as a highly touted pitching prospect, fresh off being selected fourth overall in the 2002 MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles. The 21-year-old left-hander made one start against the in pool play, tossing 3 2/3 scoreless innings with 3 hits allowed, 3 walks, and 6 strikeouts to earn the win in Canada's memorable 8-6 upset victory. Canada advanced from Pool C with a 2-1 record but went 0-2 in the second round, finishing the tournament 2-3 overall. Loewen's performance highlighted his early international promise, contributing to one of the tournament's most notable upsets. Returning for the , Loewen had transitioned to the outfield amid injuries that derailed his pitching career, earning a spot on Canada's roster through strong play in qualifiers where he homered and drove in three runs against . He appeared in four games during Pool A play, batting .200 (1-for-5) with 1 RBI, including a single that scored in a 9-4 loss to the . Canada posted a 1-2 record in the pool, with wins over (10-2) offset by defeats to (4-14) and the U.S., failing to advance to the second round. After retiring from in 2018 following a versatile career that saw him pitch and play across multiple MLB organizations, Loewen unretired in early 2023 to rejoin Team as a reliever for the , training rigorously despite not having pitched competitively in years. The comeback held deep personal significance amid his grief over the December 2021 death of his wife, Lynda, from , providing an emotional anchor as he aimed to represent one final time. Limited by rust and minor ailments, he made a brief appearance in the Pool C finale against the , pitching two-thirds of an inning scoreless with a of and a flyout from in a 12-0 defeat. finished 1-2 in the pool, securing a win over (8-2) but falling short of quarterfinals advancement. Across three World Baseball Classics, Loewen's contributions spanned roles and eras, totaling 1-for-5 batting with 1 RBI in 2013 alongside 4 1/3 scoreless (0.00 ) in and starting duties during 2006 and 2023. Beyond the , his perseverance—particularly the heartfelt 2023 return—bolstered team morale, embodying 's resilient spirit as noted by teammates and coaches.

Other international tournaments

Loewen was selected to represent at the in , , where the team achieved a fifth-place finish. Appearing in 12 of 13 games primarily as an , he recorded 11 hits in 39 at-bats for a .282 , along with 12 RBIs, two home runs, three doubles, and one triple. Loewen was named to Canada's roster for the in , , where the team won the . In January 2019, Loewen joined the Canadian roster for the Pan American Games Qualifier in , , as one of seven players with Major League experience. Canada went 4-1 in the tournament to secure qualification for the in , . Loewen continued his international contributions later that year with Canada's squad for the tournament in and . Listed as a on the 28-man roster, Canada posted a 1-2 record in the opening round, including a 3-0 shutout victory over before losses to the and the , resulting in an early elimination and a ninth-place overall finish. As a with MLB service, Loewen's presence on these rosters offered guidance to emerging Canadian players, supporting the growth of the national program through his professional expertise and competitive experience.

Awards and honors

Professional accolades

Loewen earned Mid-Season honors in the Eastern League in 2010 as a member of the , Toronto's Double-A affiliate, where he hit .246 with 13 home runs and 31 doubles over 129 games. Prior to his professional career, he excelled as a at Chipola College in 2002, batting .353 with 10 home runs while posting a 6-1 record with a 1.83 ERA on the mound, performances that contributed to his selection as the fourth overall pick in the MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles—the highest-drafted Canadian-born player at the time. In his transition to position player, Loewen recorded his first major league hit on September 7, 2011, during his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays, going 1-for-3 with a run scored against the Boston Red Sox. Four days later, on September 11, he hit his first MLB home run—a solo shot off Tommy Hunter of the Orioles—helping secure a 6-5 victory in his second stint with a major league club. Returning to pitching after three years as an outfielder, Loewen secured his first MLB win since 2007 on September 29, 2015, with the Philadelphia Phillies, retiring the only batter he faced in relief to close out a 4-3 win over the New York Mets and end an eight-year drought without a victory. Loewen received no All-Star selections or major individual awards during his MLB tenure but was noted for his rare versatility, becoming the first player in major league history to appear as both a starting pitcher and a position player before converting back to relief pitching.

International and national recognitions

On January 14, 2023, Adam Loewen was inducted as the 11th member of Baseball Canada's Wall of Excellence during the organization's annual awards banquet and fundraiser in , , in recognition of his contributions to the national team program and his professional career that elevated Canadian . The honor, presented by RBC Wealth Management, highlighted his role as a national team alumnus and his perseverance, which served as a foundation for his post-professional accolades. Loewen holds alumni status with Baseball Canada's Junior National Team, having participated in 2001 after earlier involvement in 2000, where he developed as a standout prospect and contributed to the program's success in international competitions. This early affiliation underscored his long-term commitment to Canadian baseball development. His participation in the further garnered recognition in Canadian media, where his performance was described as inspirational and a "tear-jerker" moment for Team , resonating emotionally with teammates and fans during the tournament. Although Loewen had no involvement in Olympic baseball events, he has been praised for promoting the sport in through his , roots, which drew international scouts to the region and boosted the profile of amateur in the province.

Personal life

Family and marriage

Adam Loewen was born to parents of German heritage, with the surname Loewen deriving from the word for "lion." His father, Allen James Loewen, and mother, Anne Barton, married in 1975 and raised Adam along with siblings Aaron and Adrienne in , where they supported his early career, including his time with the Kennedy-Surrey Little League team that represented in 1996. Loewen met his wife, Lynda Marie Loewen (née unknown), in , and they married prior to 2013. Lynda, originally from , was a source of support for Loewen and their family. The couple had two children: son Lucas, born around 2015, and daughter Lucy, born around 2017 while Lynda was five months pregnant. In 2016, Lynda was diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant with Lucy, marking the start of a five-year battle that included periods of remission before the disease spread. She underwent treatment while raising their young family in , north of , until her passing on December 10, 2021, at age 37, surrounded by loved ones. The profound impact of his family's challenges influenced Loewen's decisions surrounding his participation, where he came out of retirement to pitch for as a way to honor Lynda and create lasting memories for Lucas and . This appearance, his final competitive outing, underscored the role of family in his choice to retire definitively from afterward.

Post-retirement activities

Following his retirement from professional in 2018, Adam Loewen relocated with his family from , to , just north of , where he focused on daily family responsibilities such as driving his children to and from school. He has since dabbled in investments while maintaining a low profile away from the sport. In early 2023, Loewen emerged from for a one-off appearance with at the , marking his first competitive pitching since 2018. To prepare, he underwent a targeted training regimen at Driveline Baseball in Washington, emphasizing pitching mechanics despite a reduced velocity of around 84 mph. He appeared in relief during an exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs, allowing three runs in two-thirds of an , and pitched 1⅔ scoreless in the tournament proper against the , including striking out . Loewen described the opportunity as a final chapter, stating he would consider further play if approached by a team but anticipated no such offers, affirming his commitment to this singular return. Loewen has remained engaged with through his alumni role with Baseball Canada, an organization dedicated to promoting the sport at all levels, including youth development. In January 2023, he was inducted into Baseball Canada's Wall of Excellence during their annual awards banquet in , recognizing his contributions as a former Junior National Team member from 2000 to 2003 and his role in elevating Canadian . As a native of , where he began his journey with Kennedy-Surrey Little League, Loewen has supported these efforts, drawing on his experiences to inspire younger players in the region. In public reflections, particularly in a 2023 Sportsnet interview, Loewen discussed his career with candor, expressing regrets over periods when he failed to enjoy the game amid professional pressures, while highlighting newfound joys from a shifted perspective post-retirement. He also addressed coping with profound personal following his wife Lynda's in December 2021, noting how family support aided his transition from and emphasizing the importance of in sports by sharing lessons on avoiding isolation and seeking help during tough times.

References

  1. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/loewead01.shtml
  2. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Adam_Loewen
  3. https://www.mlb.com/player/adam-loewen-429400
  4. https://www.mlb.com/news/adam-loewen-sign-minors-deal-with-rangers-c215878800
  5. https://www.mlb.com/news/d-backs-adam-loewen-enjoys-baseball-journey-c194384158
  6. https://www.mlb.com/press-release/rangers-sign-lhp-adam-loewen-to-minor-league-contract-215889160
  7. https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/article/tear-jerker-moment-for-adam-loewen-resonates-with-canadian-team-at-wbc/
  8. https://www.baseball.ca/in-memory-of-allen-loewen-1952-2013
  9. https://cooperstownersincanada.com/2023/01/20/loewen-attempting-comeback-to-play-in-world-baseball-classic-dont-bet-against-him/
  10. https://www.espn.com/moresports/story/_/id/17205992/from-little-league-major-leagues
  11. https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/canadian-little-league-world-series-alumni-mlb-players/
  12. https://www.baltimoresun.com/2002/08/16/talks-with-loewen-at-a-standstill-team-in-danger-of-losing-its-top-pick/
  13. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/43947/
  14. http://www.espn.com/mlb/columns/draft/1391123.html
  15. https://attheplate.com/rookies/03_rookie_2.htm
  16. https://www.baseballamerica.com/players/4750-adam-loewen/
  17. https://www.theintelligencer.com/news/article/Orioles-Sign-First-Round-Draft-Pick-10511189.php
  18. https://www.mrt.com/news/article/Orioles-Sign-First-Round-Draft-Pick-7929226.php
  19. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=loewen001ada
  20. https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-29901
  21. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2008/07/09/loewen-goes-back-on-dl/d10cb19d-0a35-4a08-a5c0-be2eb4e56a5e/
  22. https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/mlb/2008/07/20/injury-forces-orioles-pitcher-to/24165931007/
  23. https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story/_/id/3497152
  24. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2008/02/28/elbow-recovered-loewen-holds-it-together/0c44d26c-87a0-475a-893e-f93045d31eb7/
  25. https://www.si.com/mlb/2008/10/24/bluejays-loewen
  26. https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/former-pitcher-back-in-majors-as-hitter-baseball-notebook/
  27. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2011/09/11/former-pitcher-loewen-hits-first-hr-for-blue-jays/
  28. https://www.baseballprospectus.com/player/45549/adam-loewen/
  29. https://calltothepen.com/2013/01/14/adam-loewen-returns-to-blue-jays/
  30. https://www.nydailynews.com/2011/11/23/ny-mets-sign-former-pitching-prospect-adam-loewen-to-minor-league-deal-to-help-with-outfield-depth/
  31. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/466425/2018/08/10/adam-loewen-former-top-orioles-prospect-atlantic-league-comeback-mlb/
  32. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/stats_minor/2018~12303/
  33. https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/article/grieving-his-wifes-loss-adam-loewen-savours-opportunity-with-canada-at-wbc/
  34. https://www.ocala.com/story/news/2006/03/09/team-canada-beats-us-in-world-classic/31152191007/
  35. https://www.si.com/mlb/2013/03/10/wbc-usa-canada-pool-d-gamer
  36. https://www.baseball.ca/files/Final%20Stats%20-%202009%20World%20Cup.pdf
  37. https://www.baseball.ca/baseball-canada-announces-roster-for-pan-am-games-qualifier
  38. https://www.wbsc.org/en/events/2019-premier12/news/aumont-shines-canada-beats-cuba
  39. https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/canada-roster-0/
  40. https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/350929122
  41. https://www.wfaa.com/article/sports/mlb/rangers/adam-loewens-story-is-unique-in-all-of-mlb-history/287-418557614
  42. https://www.baseball.ca/stars-shine-at-the-19thbaseball-canada-awards-banquet-and-fundraiser
  43. https://baseball.ca/baseball-canada-awards-banquet--fundraiser-set-to-return-on-january-14-2023
  44. https://www.baseball.ca/uploads/files/AboutJNT%282%29.pdf
  45. https://surreynowleader.com/2023/02/08/surreys-loewen-now-on-baseball-canadas-wall-of-excellence-after-truly-special-mlb-career-story/
  46. https://www.houseofnames.com/loewen-family-crest
  47. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/allen-loewen-obituary?id=43671095
  48. https://www.canadianbaseballnetwork.com/bob-elliott/r-p-allen-loewen
  49. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/peninsuladailynews/name/lynda-loewen-obituary?id=31886812
  50. https://westerncremation.org/lynda-loewen/
  51. https://cooperstownersincanada.com/2023/03/14/u-s-scores-nine-in-the-first-to-beat-canada-at-wbc/
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