Today In Brewer History: A Bad Break For Greinke

The 2011 season may have been one of the greatest in franchise history, but two years ago today the Brewers announced it would start on something of a down note. Zack Greinke, one of two frontline starting pitchers acquired via trade over the winter, had a broken rib and was expected to open the season on the DL.

Greinke, who suffered the break playing pickup basketball, would end up missing the Brewers' first 29 games before debuting in game two of a doubleheader against the Braves on May 4. The Crew lost his debut to fall to 13-17, but went 83-49 the rest of the way to win 96 games and the NL Central. They did that despite the fact that Greinke posted a 5.66 ERA over his first 12 Brewer starts, but at least partially because he posted a 2.61 mark over his final 16.

With help from the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to Seattle Pilot Jim Bouton, who turns 74. We covered his birthday in this space last year.