Who is Roger McDowell, the Orioles New Pitching Coach

By Brian WatersMLB

Roger McDowell is a Former Player

FLUSHING, NY- August 25, 1985: Roger McDowell #42 of the New York Mets pitches during a MLB game against the San Diego Padres at Shea Stadium on August 25, 1985 in Flushing, New York. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/Getty Images)

Roger McDowell joined the Orioles coaching staff this week. He assumed the duties of pitching coach after Dave Wallace stepped down.  McDowell spent 12 years in the MLB. His career numbers are as follows: 70-70, 3.30 ERA, and 159 saves.  He came in 6th place for Rookie of the Year in 1985 as a member of the New York Mets. He was a key part of the 1986 World Champion Mets, posting 14-9 record with a 3.02 ERA. McDowell played for the Mets, Dodgers, Phillies, Rangers and yes the Orioles throughout his career.

McDowell is a Former member of the Orioles

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In his final season, Roger McDowell pitched in 41 games for the 1996 Baltimore Orioles. This is the team that fell to the Yankees, 4-1, in the American League Championship Series.  McDowell assumed pitching coach duties after Leo Mazzone left Atlanta to become pitching coach for the Orioles.

McDowell learned a lot from Dave Wallace

McDowell will bring some of Dave Wallace with him. He told reporters, “I learned everything I know about being a pitching coach probably from Dave Wallace.They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,” McDowell said. “That’s one of the things that I’ve always tried to maintain, caring about the individual, understanding them, knowing them, getting to know them and understanding the ups and downs of a major league season and having that guy in your corner.”

Notable pitchers McDowell has coached.

John Smoltz

Tim Hudson

Derek Lowe

Craig Kimbrel

KISSIMMEE, FL - FEBRUARY 25: Roger McDowell #45 of the Atlanta Braves poses during Photo Day on February 25, 2008 at Disney's Wide World of Sports in Kissimmee, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

That is an impressive resume. Now Baltimore will love for him to make the Orioles pitching staff competitive. He will have young arms with Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman, both who will look to make strides into the next level. Fans will also look for veterans such as Chris Tillman and Ubaldo Jimenez get that extra motivation that will help the Orioles reclaim the division. Only time will tell.

Brian Waters
Brian H. Waters is currently a broadcaster, writer and social media manager for Fox Sports 1340AM Hopewell, Virginia. He is also the Co-Host and Co-CEO of the Wrestling Wrealm. He and his co-host Dwayne Allen talk about professional wrestling with Superior Wrestling Intellect. In addition, he is apart of the Wrestling Summit as a co-host and lead graphics producer. He is a former production assistant at ESPN, where he worked in Sales Quality Control, Highlights, Prompting, Mike and Mike and Social Media. His intern experience includes Morgan State University Student Media, the Baltimore Sun, and the Better Business Bureau. His responsibility while interning was to shoot edit and post in a timely manner.