GREINKE CLAIMS CY YOUNG
Greinke's 2.16 ERA paced all of Major League Baseball on the season. Only two other American League starters posted marks below 3.00 and Hernandez logged the second-best number at 2.49. Greinke's 16-8 record saw fewer wins than six other American League pitchers, but here is the rub, the Royals scored just 2.2 runs per game in his starts and a slim 1.9 runs per game in his eight losses. Greinke joins Bret Saberhagen (1985) and David Cone (1994) as the only pitchers in Royals history to ascend to pitching's individual zenith.
"I'm real happy to get it because you kind of work your whole life to do something and get acknowledged for it," Greinke told MLB.com. "Even going into this year, I'll work as hard as I can to try to do it again."
The former Carolina League Pitcher of the Year (2003) ranked second in the circuit in strikeouts (242), gave up the fewest home runs (11) and led the loop in walks plus hits per innings pitched (WHIP) at 1.07.
The 26-year-old Greinke's path to prominence saw a unique turn as he tackled a social anxiety disorder and depression. His journey also included parts of two seasons in Wilmington. After hurling one relief outing as a late addition in 2002, Greinke served as the Blue Rocks ace and Opening Day starter in 2003. He went 11-1 in 14 starts and assembled an eye-popping 1.14 ERA and .178 batting average against. The then 19-year-old phenom placed himself on the baseball map with that season, leading the league with three complete games while averaging more than six innings per start despite a strict pitch limit. His efforts earned him an in-season promotion to Double-A.
"He was the best pitcher I've ever seen at that level of the minor leagues," former Blue Rocks skipper Billy Gardner, Jr. (2003-04) told MLB.com. "And when I say pitcher, I mean he could pitch. He wasn't just a thrower.
"He was a cool customer. He never panicked, never rattled and could command the ball and locate on a consistent basis. He was very deceptive and able to keep hitters from making good swings."
Greinke becomes the first former Blue Rock to win the Cy Young in either league. Former Blue Rock Jon Lieber (1993) finished fourth in the National League voting for the honor in 2001 while with the Chicago Cubs.
The Blue Rocks will open play in 2010 on April 8 in Myrtle Beach, SC against the Pelicans. The home opener comes on April 16 with the first of a record 15 fireworks shows at Frawley Stadium this season as the Blue Crew hosts the Potomac Nationals. Every Friday in 2010 will have post-game fireworks at Frawley.
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