Kudos to Zack Greinke for putting it all together this year and wining the CY Young Award.

His numbers speak for themselves, but what I’m most impressed with is the adversity he’s overcome to reach this point.  

Zack has always had the talent and the stuff to go out there and dominate on the mound, but until 2009 he hasn’t been able to really show it.

His ability to stay focused on a struggling team is just one of the many obstacles he faced.  Standing out in the center of the diamond can be a tough place for someone battling clinical depression and social anxiety, so today is really a particularly special day and a special year for him.   

What really impressed me about Zack this season was his drive to win, because being on a bad team with no chance can be mentally draining.  But with Zack, the opposite happened, and he continued to dominate.

This is also the first year of a multi-year deal, which for some players proved to be a letdown year.  Not having that carrot in front of him didn’t change his concentration, nothing fell off, and he just got better. The lack of a carrot really shows how mentally tough Zack has become.

Being considered one of the best really vindicates all the hard work, strenuous routines, and dedication that we put in to go out there every fifth day to compete.  To win the CY Young is the pinnacle in our area of the game.  In 1998 I was 6th, and just to be considered one of the best pitchers in the game is a great feeling.  

Make sure to tune in at 6 for Hot Stove, where the man of the hour, Zack Greinke, will join us. – Al Leiter