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Baseball 2012: The game's best off-beat, under-the-radar statistics and trivia

Fascinating baseball firsts and notable statistics can easily be missed in the playing of more than 2,000 big-league games each year. Here are the most intriguing developments that possibly escaped your notice.

5. Three-peat pitcher

Mark J. Terrill/AP
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Zack Greinke throws to the plate during the second inning of their baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012, in Anaheim, Calif.

  • By Ross Atkin Staff writer

Pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers, Zack Greinke became the first hurler since Red Faber of the White Sox in 1917 to pitch three consecutive games, and do so in one season rather than have the streak span two seasons.

Backstory: An unusual set of circumstances led to Greinke’s three starts in a row. His run was triggered when he was ejected after throwing just four pitches in a game with Houston on July 7. 

It wasn’t a balls-and-strikes dispute that got him tossed, but his reaction after covering first base on a close play. He spiked the ball in anger after the runner was called safe. Since he was still fresh, he returned to the mound the next day but only lasted until the third inning, when he was pulled with the Brewers trailing.

Then the All-Star break intervened, so he was able to pitch again after adequate rest once the regular season restarted. He failed to factor into the decision, however, in a game against the Pirates.

On July 28, Milwaukee traded Greinke, who had a 9-3 record, to the Los Angeles Angels. He finished the season 15-5.

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Mark Sappenfield
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