Text Size:   A   A   A

Posted: Wednesday, 18 November 2009 8:15AM

Greinke Lands American League Cy Young Award



NEW YORK (Reuters) - Zack Greinke of the Kansas City Royals, who overcame anxiety and depression to dominate on the mound, was the overwhelming choice for the 2009 American League (AL) Cy Young Award as best pitcher.

The right-hander, playing for a 65-97 Royals team that was next to last in the AL in average runs scored per game, compiled a 16-8 mark with a 2.16 earned run average.

Greinke matched the lowest wins total of any previous Cy Young winner and became the first AL recipient to receive the award while winning less than 18 games.

The 26-year-old was named first on 25 ballots and second on the other three cast by the two representatives of the Baseball Writers' Association of America in each of the 14 league cities.

Greinke received 134 total points, based on a 5-3-1 voting system.

Seattle Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez (19-5, 2.49 ERA), received two first-place votes to finish second with 80 points.

The other first-place vote went to Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander (19-9, 3.92 ERA) who was third.

Greinke left the Royals for almost four months during 2006 spring training when he was diagnosed with clinical depression and social anxiety.

After pitching just six innings for Kansas City that year, he split the next season between starting and relieving before becoming a mainstay of the rotation.

Greinke said he was happy to receive the award but dreaded some aspects of it.

"I hope it doesn't get me a lot of attention and people wanting to talk to me about it," he told reporters on a conference call. "I'm still happy to get it.

NEGATIVE ASPECT

"You work your whole life to do something and get acknowledged for it. This year I'll work as hard as I can to try and do it again.

"For me there's some negative (to it) but more positive than negative," added the pitcher.

Greinke said advice he received from two rival pitchers had improved his mental approach.

"There were two guys I talked to that were amazing. One guy said, 'focus on one pitch and when you're done making that pitch, all you think about is the next pitch'.

"A couple of days later another amazing pitcher told me the same thing. After I heard it from both those guys ... it kind of changed my thought process a lot. I tried to simplify things and not worry about what just happened.

"I still make a bunch of mistakes every game ... not repeating mechanics, getting a little tired here and there, just not staying strong every game for the course of a year," said Greinke.

"But one thing, my main goal was to focus on every pitch and not give in to any batter the whole year. I feel I did that as good as I possibly could."

Greinke has another big occasion Saturday when he marries long-time girlfriend Emily Kuchar.


Story Copyright 2009, Reuters Photo Copyright 2009, Getty Images

Jordan Approved As Owner Of Charlotte Bobcats


Michael Jordan was unanimously approved as controlling owner of the Charlotte Bobcats team by the NBA on Wednesday.

Wasteful Federer Suffers Shock Loss To Baghdatis


Roger Federer squandered three match points before suffering a shock defeat at the hands of Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis.

Tiger Woods Announces Golf Comeback At April Masters


Tiger Woods announced on Tuesday he would make his comeback to professional golf at the Masters in early April.

Giants, Jets Both To Play In New Stadium On Opening Weekend


The New York Giants will get the first game and the New York Jets will also play in their shared new home on the opening weekend.

Erin Andrews Peephole Stalker Lands In Jail


A Chicago insurance salesman was sentenced to 30 months in prison on Monday for making nude videos through hotel peepholes of television sports reporter Erin Andrews.

Few Surprises In Seeds As NCAA Bracket Announced


There were few surprises when the 65-team NCAA championship bracket was announced on Sunday.

Woods Crash Ambulance Crew Cited Domestic Violence


The ambulance crew that took golfer Tiger Woods cited domestic violence after his car crash months ago.

Tomlinson Charges Across Country To NY Jets


Running back LaDainian Tomlinson has signed with the New York Jets, the team said on Sunday on its Web site.

Bronocs Acquire Quarterback Quinn From The Browns


The Denver Broncos have acquired quarterback Brady Quinn from the Cleveland Browns in exchange for fullback Peyton Hillis.

Clottey Aims To Seize Surprise World Title Chance


The Cowboys Stadium stages its first big fight Saturday when Manny Pacquiao defends his WBO welterweight title against Ghana's Joshua Clottey.

Vonn Wins Third Successive World Cup


Lindsey Vonn of the United States skied through more pain on Friday to win the women's overall World Cup title for the third year running.

Gang Member Convicted Of Murdering Broncos Player


A member of a Denver-area Crips street gang was convicted on Thursday in the 2007 murder of Denver Broncos football player Darrent Williams.

Sidney Crosby's Golden Goal Stick Found


An Olympic mystery was solved on Wednesday when officials said they had located the stick Sidney Crosby used to win the men's hockey gold medal.

Marion Jones To Play In WNBA


Disgraced Olympic sprinter Marion Jones signed a contract Wednesday to play with the WNBA's Tulsa Shock in a bid to revive her athletic career.

Pacquiao Confident Speed Can Trump Clottey's Size


Filipino ring king Manny Pacquiao said his lightning fast speed will be enough to nullify Joshua Clottey's size advantage when the two meet in Dallas on Saturday.
KGMI News/Talk 790 on Facebook
Shop Sunset Square!
Ad Image