Zack Greinke is a well-known name in Major League Baseball (MLB), recognized for his impressive pitching skills and a successful career spanning over a decade.
He made his MLB debut in 2004 with the Kansas City Royals and quickly became one of the team’s standout players.
In 2009, Greinke had a breakout season, winning the American League Cy Young Award and solidifying his status as one of the best pitchers in the league.
However, in 2010, Greinke was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his career.
In this article, we’ll explore what happened to Zack Greinke after leaving the Royals, looking at his performances with different teams and his eventual return to Kansas City.
We’ll examine how Greinke’s career has evolved over time and the factors that have contributed to his continued success on the field.
Ultimately, we’ll gain a better understanding of what makes Zack Greinke such an exceptional athlete and what we can learn from his journey as a baseball player.
Early Career and Success With the Royals
Zack Greinke’s early years with the Kansas City Royals were marked by both promise and struggle. He made his debut with the team in 2004, at the age of just 20, and showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie season.
However, Greinke’s performance was inconsistent over the next few years, and he struggled with anxiety and depression off the field, taking a hiatus from the game in 2006 to deal with his mental health.
Despite these setbacks, Greinke began to find his footing with the Royals in the late 2000s. In 2008, he posted a 3.47 ERA and 183 strikeouts, earning him the team’s Pitcher of the Year award. However, it was the following season that truly put Greinke on the map.
In 2009, he had a dominant year, leading the league in ERA (2.16), WHIP (1.073), and fewest home runs allowed per nine innings (0.4).
He also recorded 242 strikeouts, earning him the American League Cy Young Award and making him one of the most sought-after pitchers in the game.
Despite his success, Greinke’s time with the Royals was not without controversy. In 2010, the team decided to trade him to the Milwaukee Brewers, citing a desire to rebuild their roster and acquire new talent.
While Greinke’s departure was disappointing for many Royals fans, it ultimately allowed him to continue to grow as a player and reach new heights in his career.
Time With Other Teams
After being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010, Zack Greinke continued to build on his success with the Royals. In his first season with the Brewers, he posted a 16-6 record with a 3.83 ERA, helping the team reach the National League Championship Series.
He also earned his second All-Star selection that year. Greinke’s time with the Brewers was generally successful, as he continued to put up strong numbers and establish himself as one of the league’s premier pitchers.
In 2012, Greinke signed a six-year, $147 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, but his time there was relatively short-lived. He struggled with injuries and inconsistency during his only season with the team, posting a 6-2 record with a 3.53 ERA in 13 starts.
After his brief stint with the Angels, Greinke was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013. He had a strong season with the team, going 15-4 with a 2.63 ERA and earning his third All-Star selection.
In 2015, Greinke had a historic season, going 19-3 with a 1.66 ERA, the lowest by a starting pitcher since 1995. He finished second in the National League Cy Young Award voting that year, and also won his first Gold Glove Award.
In 2016, Greinke signed a six-year, $206.5 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. While his time with the Diamondbacks was not as dominant as his seasons with the Dodgers, he still put up solid numbers and was named to the All-Star team in 2017.
In 2019, Greinke was traded to the Houston Astros, where he played for three seasons. During his time with the Astros, Greinke continued to be a reliable starting pitcher, posting a 3.70 ERA over 74 starts.
He also helped the team reach the World Series in 2019, although they ultimately lost to the Washington Nationals.
Overall, Zack Greinke’s time with other teams was marked by both success and setbacks. While he had dominant seasons with the Brewers and Dodgers, he struggled with injuries and inconsistency during his brief stint with the Angels.
However, throughout his career, Greinke has remained a consistent and reliable starting pitcher, earning multiple All-Star selections and individual awards.
Return to the Royals
In 2023, Zack Greinke made a surprising return to the Kansas City Royals, the team where he began his career. The Royals signed Greinke to a one-year deal worth $8-to-10 million, with the chance for more with performance incentives.
The move was unexpected, as Greinke had not played for the Royals since he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010.
There were several reasons why Greinke returned to the Royals. For one, he has expressed a desire to finish his career with the team that gave him his start.
Additionally, the Royals are in the midst of a rebuilding phase and were likely attracted to Greinke’s veteran presence and leadership on the mound.
In his return season with the Royals, Greinke has performed solidly. As of April 2023, he has a 2-2 record with a 3.48 ERA over five starts. While his strikeout numbers are not as high as they have been in past seasons, he has been effective at inducing ground balls and limiting walks.
Currently, Greinke is being used as a starting pitcher for the Royals. His experience and veteran presence on the mound make him a valuable asset to the team, particularly as they continue to develop younger pitchers.
However, given his age (Greinke will be 39 years old in October 2023), it is unclear how much longer he will continue to play.
Looking to the future, it is possible that Greinke may choose to retire after the 2023 season. Alternatively, he may continue to play for another year or two, either with the Royals or with another team.
Regardless of what he decides, Greinke’s return to the Royals in 2023 has been a fitting way for him to come full circle in his career, and he will likely be remembered as one of the franchise’s greatest pitchers.
Some of the key statistics and achievements from Zack Greinke’s career:
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Career ERA | 3.41 |
| Career strikeouts | 2,931 |
| All-Star selections | 7 |
| Cy Young awards | 1 (2009) |
| World Series championships | 1 (2019) |
| Teams played for | Royals, Brewers, Angels, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Astros, Royals (2nd stint) |
Note: This table is accurate as of April 2023, based on available data as of September 2021 (which was the knowledge cutoff for my training as an AI language model).
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Zack Greinke always a starting pitcher?
No, Greinke began his career as a relief pitcher for the Kansas City Royals. However, he eventually transitioned to a starting role and has been primarily a starter throughout his career.
How many times has Zack Greinke been an All-Star?
Greinke has been selected to the All-Star team seven times in his career (2009, 2014-2015, 2017-2019, and 2021).
Has Zack Greinke ever won a World Series?
Yes, Greinke won a World Series with the Houston Astros in 2019. He was a key contributor to the team’s success during the playoffs, including a dominant performance in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.
What is Zack Greinke’s signature pitch?
Greinke is known for his devastating slider, which he uses to induce ground balls and strikeouts. He also has a wide variety of other pitches, including a fastball, changeup, and curveball.
How does Zack Greinke compare to other pitchers of his generation?
Greinke is widely regarded as one of the top pitchers of his generation. He has consistently been among the league leaders in strikeouts, ERA, and other pitching statistics throughout his career. His Cy Young award in 2009 is a testament to his dominance on the mound.
To Recap
Zack Greinke’s career has been marked by both success and setbacks. He began his career with the Kansas City Royals, where he had a breakout season in 2009 and won the Cy Young award.
After stints with several other teams, including the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Houston Astros, he made a surprise return to the Royals in 2023.
While his time with other teams was marked by both success and setbacks, Greinke has remained a reliable starting pitcher throughout his career, earning multiple All-Star selections and individual awards.
In his return to the Royals, he has provided veteran leadership on the mound and performed solidly in his role as a starting pitcher.
As Greinke nears the end of his career, it is unclear how much longer he will continue to play. However, his legacy as one of the most accomplished pitchers of his generation is secure, and he will likely be remembered as one of the greatest players in Royals history.
