KC Royals: 3 memorable Zack Greinke Royal moments

Did Zack Greinke want to stay in the minors when the KC Royals called him up?

By now, Zack Greinke’s unconventionality with the Royals and other clubs should be well known. But this story may very well take the proverbial cake.

In 2019, then-KC Royals mlb.com writer Jeffrey Flanagan wrote about how some organization managers told pitchers they were being promoted to the major leagues, including former KC third base coach Mike Jirschele’s account of how Greinke reacted when, as his manager at Triple-A Omaha, Jirschele told the promising young pitcher he’d be making one more start before heading for Kansas City and The Show. Upon hearing the news, Greinke said:

"“I don’t know. Do you think if we asked them they would let me go back to Single-A and be a shortstop? I think I can be a pretty good shortstop.”"

Jirschele was rightfully confounded by Grienke’s response. Here was Greinke, told he was headed for the majors, and wondering instead if he could be sent back down to Single-A. Jirschele told the pitcher as much, and Greinke simply told him, “Oh, ok.”

Jirschele said he doesn’t know if Greinke was being serious or not. However, his career batting average of .225 with nine home runs gives a hint at what kind of hitter Greinke might have been had his request been taken seriously.

With Zack Greinke back in Kansas City to face the Royals Wednesday night, it’s a good time to remember some of his memorable Royal moments.