Off the Bench: Slowey is perfect as all-star

LAKELAND — Not since George McGovern, Walter Mondale and Michael Dukakis digested election results have a trio of lefties looked so overwhelmed as the first three batters in Saturday's Florida State League All-Star Game.

West starter Kevin Slowey — the Pittsburgh Precisionist — captured Pitcher of the Game honors thanks to fanning the side in order.

All the Fort Myers Miracle right-handed sensation did to reel in the award was throw nine pitches. But those nine — even in Tigerland — were more memorable than Al Kaline's ceremonial toss.

Slowey pitched the Perfect Inning.

Fastball down the middle for a called strike, foul ball, swing and miss on another fastball. See ya, Sam Fuld, and your league-leading .337 batting average.

Foul ball, foul ball, inside fastball caught looking. See ya, Corey Cotes, and your second-best .329 average.

Inside fastball for a strike, foul ball, inside fastball caught looking. See ya, Matt Craig, and your .498 slugging percentage.

Nine strikes on nine pitches. Slowey's fastball starred as the Wicked Pitch of the West in front of 5,946.

"You'd love to have him out there for five (innings), but it's an All-Star game," said West manager Mike Rojas of the Lakeland Tigers. "He did a tremendous job. He's got a great arm. He's done a great job with the Miracle. He's got a good future with the Minnesota Twins."

Slowey's only inning of work mirrored what he's done for the Miracle in the first half, mesmerizing the FSL with a league-best 1.10 ERA and fewest hits allowed (48) and walks (7) in 81.1 innings. He's second in strikeouts with 92.

"He challenges people with his fastball. He doesn't miss spots ever. He's just so smart and good," said Clearwater's Mike Costanzo, the West's starting third baseman.

Photo by KEVIN JOHNSON, Banner

Kevin Slowey of the Fort Myers Miracle receives the Florida State League All-Star Game's Pitcher of the Game award from Bank of America Vice President Kevin Kelley on Saturday at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland.

From opposite ends of Pennsylvania, Costanzo and Slowey were collegiate foes on big rivals in South Carolina. Costanzo played for Coastal Carolina while Slowey was Winthrop's ace.

"I did good against him in college, but he's got me in pro ball," said Costanzo, which is why he was glad to be on the same side as Slowey in the All-Star Game.

"He was unbelievable, again. He's unhittable right now. I'm just ready for him to get called-up so we don't have to face him anymore," said Costanzo.

When that inevitable call comes the loss that the Miracle feel will extend beyond the mound. Slowey is well-liked in the clubhouse by teammates, old and new.

"He's a great guy," said former Sarasota outfielder Brandon Roberts, whose debut with the Miracle came at the All-Star Game two days after being traded to the Twins. "He came up and introduced himself to me and welcomed me to the club. He said, 'hey, fellow Twin.' He made me feel welcomed."

Even when asked to discuss his sparkling inning, Slowey, whose parents and younger sisters were in the stands, opted to downplay his role in the West's 7-4 victory.

"The rest of the guys threw really well, too," he said. "I just happened to throw first."

And sign last.

For more than 10 minutes after every other player had departed the field, Slowey patiently signed autographs along the left field line.

If the penmanship is anything like the pitching, you know his signature is a work of art.