Former MLB pitcher Doug Creek dies at age 55

Doug Creek, who spent nine seasons in the major leagues, died Sunday at the age of 55 from complications of colon cancer, the Journal News in West Virginia reported.

The left-hander was a pitcher for seven teams from 1995 to 2005 – the Cardinals, Giants, Cubs, Devil Rays, Mariners, Blue Jays and Tigers.

Vic Holmes, Creek’s high school coach, told the Journal News the death was “shocking.”

Creek was named the West Virginia Sports Writers Association’s state baseball player of the year in 1987.

He played college football at Georgia Tech and became the school’s all-time leading left-hander.

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 before being traded to the Giants in the offseason.

Although he spent most of his career as a reliever, he started three games with the Giants, including his first career win against the A’s in 1997 – a game in which he struck out Mark McGwire twice.

“He pitched a good game, it wasn’t just a hitter,” McGwire said after the game. “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 career, he went 7-14 with an ERA of 5.32.

He also had the opportunity to play for legendary managers Lou Piniella and Dusty Baker.

“(Piniella) is a guy you just want to go to war with,” Creek once said. “He’s not scary or imposing, but you want to go out there and play well for him. I had the same feeling with Dusty Baker when I played for him.”

After his playing career, he became a charter boat captain, a competitive fisherman, and ran a baseball academy.

“He was a good guy,” his high school teammate Scott Bullett told the Journal News. “It’s sad to see a guy like Dougie go so early.”