Former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher Doug Creek passed away at 55 on Sunday, July 28, 2024, following a battle with cancer. His death was announced by local media in his birthplace, Martinsburg, West Virginia.
Creek’s MLB career, which lasted from 1995 to 2005, saw him play for seven teams including the St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, and Detroit Tigers. He was a left-handed pitcher with a career record of 7 wins and 14 losses, and an earned run average (ERA) of 5.32 across 279 games.
“It’s shocking,” said Vic Holmes, Creek’s high school coach, in response to the news of Creek’s passing, as reported by the Journal News.
Starting his baseball journey in Martinsburg, Creek was recognized as the state baseball player of the year in 1987 by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association. He went on to play at Georgia Tech, where he set a record for the most wins by a left-handed pitcher with over 40 victories. His exceptional performance at the college led to his induction into the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame in 2000.
St. Louis Cardinals drafted Creek in the seventh round of the 1991 MLB Draft. His major league debut came in 1995. While primarily a reliever, Creek started three games for the Giants in 1997, one of which was a memorable matchup against the Oakland A’s where he struck out Mark McGwire twice. McGwire later praised Creek’s performance, emphasizing that the game was not just about facing one batter, and Creek deserved recognition for his efforts.
Creek also had a stint in Japan’s Central League with the Hanshin Tigers in 1998, where he achieved a 9-1 record before returning to the U.S. to pitch for the Cubs. His career highlights include playing under renowned managers like Lou Piniella and Dusty Baker. In a previous interview, Creek commented on how Piniella inspired players to give their best, noting that Piniella, although not intimidating, was a great motivator.
After retiring from baseball, Creek ventured into competitive fishing and ran a charter boat. He also passed on his baseball knowledge by running an academy for young athletes.
Scott Bullett, a high school teammate of Creek, said, “He was a good guy. It’s sad to see a guy like Dougie go so soon.”
Despite his untimely death, Creek’s legacy in the baseball community endures, marked by his significant on-field contributions and off-field dedication to the sport. His impact on the game and those who knew him remains significant.