Doug Creek, who played nine seasons in major league baseball, died Sunday at age 55 from colon cancer, the NBA said in a statement. Journal News West Virginia.
The left-handed pitcher played for seven teams from 1995 to 2005, including the Cardinals, Giants, Cubs, Devil Rays, Mariners, Blue Jays and Tigers.
Creek High School coach Vic Holmes told the Journal News the death was “devastating.”
Creek was named the 1987 State Baseball Player of the Year by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.
He played collegiate baseball at Georgia Tech, where he became the school’s winningest left-handed pitcher in history.
Creek won over 40 games and was inducted into the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame in 2000.
He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals and made his MLB debut in 1995, but was traded to the Giants in the offseason.
He spent most of his career as a relief pitcher, but started three games for the Giants, including his first win against the Athletics in 1997, when he struck out Mark McGwire twice.
“He pitched well, it wasn’t just one batter,” McGwire said. He spoke after the match“Give the pitcher credit. He did his job.”
Creek played for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan in 1998, going 9-1, before returning to the United States to pitch for the Cubs.
During his playing career, he recorded 7 wins, 14 losses, and a 5.32 ERA.
He also had the opportunity to play under legendary managers Lou Piniella and Dusty Baker.
“[Piniella’s] A man who wants to wage war.” Creek once said:“He’s not scary or intimidating, but he makes you want to play well for him. I felt the same way when I played for Dusty Baker.”
After his playing career ended, he became a charter boat captain, competed as an angler and also ran a baseball academy.
“He was a good guy,” high school teammate Scott Barrett told The Journal-News. “It’s sad to see a guy like Dougie go so soon.”
