Shane Loux (pronounced “Lukes”) spent the better part of 19 seasons moving up and down the ranks of professional baseball.  During that time, the present Hops pitching coach for 2021 had seen it all.  Ups and downs, wins and losses, and the bus rides in the minors mixed in with the first class plane rides in the majors.  He even experienced the vast gulf between making his professional debut on a small Single A level ball field to celebrating a World Series Victory with the Giants from a distance.  But, for Shane, it all pretty much ended in 2013 when he finally decided to have Tommy John surgery. 

Shane Loux’s Triple Peaks

Still, he managed to last another two years as a professional ball player.  After spending 2014 as a rehab year, Shane signed one last contract.  This time with the Sugarland Skeeters of the Atlantic League.  But, the former Tiger/Royal/Angel/Astro and Giant shortly announced his retirement in July of 2015.  During the years between 1997 and 2015, Shane reached three pinnacles that would take him to Major League Baseball.

Drafted in 1997 by the Detroit Tigers, it took the young Hawk from Highland High School five years to sniff the major leagues.  “I moved to Florida at 17 and lived in (a) dorm with guys 5 years older and was expected to perform at an extremely high level. It forced me to grow up fast, which I’m glad for now. Looking back, it’s unreal that I survived, but I didn’t know any better.”  Shane said.  (Read the full interview with Andy Patton.)

In 2002, the sinkerballer made his major league debut on September 10th starting three games that season.  He started four more for the Tigers in the following year.  After another year in the minors for 2004, the Tigers let Shane go.

2005 saw no action for the determined pitcher.  It wasn’t until November 7th of 2005 that he signed with the Kansas City Royals and spent another year in the minor leagues.  Kansas City granted Shane his release on October 15th, 2006.

Shane Loux still did not give up.  He managed another signing with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2008 and appeared in seven games as a relief pitcher.  In 2009, Shane returned to the Angels and had his most successful stint starting six games and earning a 2-3 record.  After two years with the Halos, Shane was released again in October.

World Series Ring

His third and last pinnacle came with the San Francisco Giants.  While his time with the Angels may have been his most successful, his time with the Giants was the most rewarding.  Number#61 pitched over 25 innings in relief.  But the rewarding part would be from a distance as he did not make the 25 man roster for the playoffs.  The Giants would win their second of three World Series in a five year span.  Even though Shane didn’t get to be an active part of the team’s success in the series, he still earned a World Series ring.

Between the Angels and Giants, Shane spent a short time as an Astro.

Shane Loux looks at Coaching

Over the years, Shane Loux appeared in 58 games over 144 innings at the major league level.  He even received his own bobblehead when a Toledo Mudhen.  You can find one on eBay going for $99.99.  So what does an experienced former professional ball player do when his last dance on the mound is behind him?  Become a pitching coach and try to make it back to the major leagues.

2017 saw Shane sign his first coaching contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.  His first assignment was the Missoula Osprey (now Paddleheads) where he spent 2017 and 2018.  In 2019, Shane moved up to the A Advanced Visalia Rawhide.  2020 saw just about everyone take the year off.  For 2021 and the recent shake up of the minor league system, Shane makes a lateral move to the High A Hillsboro Hops.

What does Shane think of being a coach now instead of a player?  In the previously mentioned  interview with Andy Patton, he responded: “coaching is the best thing I’ve ever done in my professional life. I enjoy it so much. The opportunity to coach up young players and teach them how to be men in this game, on and off the field, is such an honor … I feel equipped to handle this job. I am forever grateful.”

As fast as Shane is moving up in his coaching career, we just might see him in the major leagues.   Sooner than later.

Last Tuesday, we read about the new Hops manager Vince Harrison.  Check next Tuesday for a look at batting coach KC Judge.

by

Greg Stoker

@GDStoker