Former Dodgers Pitcher Makes History, Joins Exclusive Club

This is an incredible accomplishment.

This past week was a special one for former Dodger pitchers. First, it was former Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen joining an exclusive club, becoming just the seventh player in MLB history to reach 400 saves.

Then, a few days later, another former Dodger joined an even more exclusive club.

Royals RHP Zack Greinke joined an elite list on Saturday, becoming just the fifth pitcher in MLB history to strike out 1,000 different batters.

Zack Greinke joins elite company, becoming only the fifth pitcher in AL/NL history to strike out 1,000 DIFFERENT batters! pic.twitter.com/PQ09fd1WDQ

— MLB (@MLB) May 14, 2023

He did it with a strikeout of Brewers outfielder Joey Wiemer. Take a look:

1K for Zack!

Zack Greinke is the 5th pitcher in MLB history to strike out 1,000 different batters. pic.twitter.com/3a7rwuy7gt

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) May 14, 2023

Greinke is one of the longest-tenured players currently in the MLB. His career began way back in 2004, as a member of the Royals.

He spent seven seasons in Kansas City, before spending another one-and-a-half years with the Milwaukee Brewers, and a half-of-a-season with the Los Angeles Angels.

Then, in 2013, Greinke signed with the Dodgers, and spent three seasons there.

Those were some of the best years of Greinke's storied career, as he was an All-Star in 2014 and 2015, and had an incredible 1.66 ERA in 2015 on his way to finishing second in the NL Cy Young Award voting to Cubs RHP Jake Arrieta.

Greinke then spent some time with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Houston Astros, before coming back to Kansas City to likely finish his career.

Greinke currently has an incredible 2,914 strikeouts in his career. Only 19 pitchers currently have reached at least 3,000 strikeouts in their career.

Greinke is averaging 6.2 strikeouts per nine innings this season, and is 86 strikeouts away from 3,000. At this rate, he would have to pitch around 125 more innings this season to reach the 3,000 mark.

As long as he stays healthy, Greinke should be able to reach that mark this season. If he does, he'll be just the 20th pitcher in MLB history to do so — although his former teammate, Clayton Kershaw, is coming up behind him, too, trying to be No. 21.