By The Associated Press
October 21, 2009 - 11:57am
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City Royals pitcher Zack Greinke has been named American League Pitcher of the Year by The Sporting News online magazine.
Greinke was selected for the honor by a panel of 31 Major League general managers and assistant GMs. He finished the 2009 season 16-8 with a 2.16 ERA - the best in baseball - and was second in the American League with 242 strikeouts. He had six complete games and three shutouts, both second in the majors behind Toronto's Roy Halladay.
Former Royals ace Bret Saberhagen is the only other Kansas City pitcher to have received the award. The last 14 American League winners of the TSN award went on to win the Cy Young, which will be announced Nov. 17.
Greinke received the honor on Wednesday, his 26th birthday.
