Luke Gregerson
Encyclopedia
Lucas John "Luke" Gregerson (born May 14, 1984 in Park Ridge, Illinois
) is a Major League Baseball
relief pitcher
for the San Diego Padres
. He owns the major league record for holds
in a season.
in the 28th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft
out of Saint Xavier University. He spent his first professional season between the Rookie-Level Johnson City Cardinals
and the Short-Season State College Spikes
in . He went 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA
in 15 games with Johnson City and 6-1 with a 1.72 ERA in 12 games with State College.
In Gregerson split the season between the Advanced-A Palm Beach Cardinals
and the Double-A Springfield Cardinals
. With Palm Beach he went 3-4 with a 1.97 ERA in 53 games and with Springfield he was perfect in only inning
of work.
Gregerson spent the entire season with Double-A Springfield of the Texas League
. He went 7-6 with a 3.35 ERA, 10 saves in 75 innings pitched in 57 games.
along with Mark Worrell
for Khalil Greene
.
Gregerson spent the entire season with the Padres going 2-4 with a 3.24 ERA with one save in seven save opportunities in 72 games. On September 15 Gregerson was placed on the 15-day disabled list
for tendinitis in his right shoulder. On September 24, 2009, he picked up his first Major League save against the Colorado Rockies
.
On September 23, 2010, Gregerson worked a perfect seventh to set the major league record for holds
in a single season with 37. He extended the record to 40 by the end of the season.
On July 9, 2011, against the Los Angeles Dodgers
, Gregerson entered the game in the ninth inning after Aaron Harang
, Josh Spence
, Chad Qualls
, and Mike Adams combined to pitch eight innings without allowing a hit. Gregerson retired the first two hitters before a double by Juan Uribe
on a one ball and two strike count broke up the no hitter. Dioner Navarro
then hit a single off Gregerson to score the winning run for the Dodgers. This was the closest the Padres have come to pitching a no-hitter since Steve Arlin
in 1972. The Padres are one of two teams that have never pitched a no-hitter in their history, with the New York Mets
being the other.
Park Ridge, Illinois
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 37,775 people, 14,219 households, and 10,465 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,374.6 people per square mile . There were 14,646 housing units at an average density of 2,083.8 per square mile...
) is a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
relief pitcher
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
for the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
. He owns the major league record for holds
Hold (baseball)
A hold is awarded to a relief pitcher who meets the following three conditions:Unlike saves, wins, and losses, more than one pitcher per team can earn a hold for a game, though it is not possible for a pitcher to receive more than one hold in a given game...
in a season.
St. Louis Cardinals
Gregerson was drafted by the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
in the 28th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft
2006 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2006 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 6 and 7. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.-First Round Selections:...
out of Saint Xavier University. He spent his first professional season between the Rookie-Level Johnson City Cardinals
Johnson City Cardinals
The Johnson City Cardinals are a rookie league team based in Johnson City, Tennessee. The Cardinals are affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals organization and play with the Appalachian League, of which they are currently the two-time defending champions. The team plays its home games at Howard...
and the Short-Season State College Spikes
State College Spikes
The State College Spikes are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the New York – Penn League. The Spikes play their home games at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park located on the main campus of Pennsylvania State University located in University Park, Pennsylvania. Medlar Field is...
in . He went 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in 15 games with Johnson City and 6-1 with a 1.72 ERA in 12 games with State College.
In Gregerson split the season between the Advanced-A Palm Beach Cardinals
Palm Beach Cardinals
The Palm Beach Cardinals are a minor league baseball team based in Jupiter in Palm Beach County, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals major-league club....
and the Double-A Springfield Cardinals
Springfield Cardinals
The Springfield Cardinals are a minor league baseball team based in Springfield, Missouri. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals major-league club, and is owned by the Cardinals. The club plays at Hammons Field.The Springfield Cardinals...
. With Palm Beach he went 3-4 with a 1.97 ERA in 53 games and with Springfield he was perfect in only inning
Innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one inning pitched. One out counts as one-third of an inning, and two...
of work.
Gregerson spent the entire season with Double-A Springfield of the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
. He went 7-6 with a 3.35 ERA, 10 saves in 75 innings pitched in 57 games.
San Diego Padres
Before the season, Gregerson was traded to the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
along with Mark Worrell
Mark Worrell
Mark Robert Worrell is an American professional baseball pitcher.-Playing career:He was called up to the major leagues by the St...
for Khalil Greene
Khalil Greene
Khalil Thabit Greene is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent. He bats and throws right-handed.-High school and college:...
.
Gregerson spent the entire season with the Padres going 2-4 with a 3.24 ERA with one save in seven save opportunities in 72 games. On September 15 Gregerson was placed on the 15-day disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
for tendinitis in his right shoulder. On September 24, 2009, he picked up his first Major League save against the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
.
On September 23, 2010, Gregerson worked a perfect seventh to set the major league record for holds
Hold (baseball)
A hold is awarded to a relief pitcher who meets the following three conditions:Unlike saves, wins, and losses, more than one pitcher per team can earn a hold for a game, though it is not possible for a pitcher to receive more than one hold in a given game...
in a single season with 37. He extended the record to 40 by the end of the season.
On July 9, 2011, against the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, Gregerson entered the game in the ninth inning after Aaron Harang
Aaron Harang
Aaron Michael Harang is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher.-Amateur career:Harang graduated from Patrick Henry High School then went on to San Diego State University...
, Josh Spence
Josh Spence
Joshua Patrick William Spence is an Australian professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball. He was drafted by the Padres in the ninth round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft out of Arizona State University...
, Chad Qualls
Chad Qualls
Chadford Michael Qualls is a relief pitcher.-Astros:Qualls was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Houston Astros. He began his career as a starting pitcher with the Michigan Battle Cats in...
, and Mike Adams combined to pitch eight innings without allowing a hit. Gregerson retired the first two hitters before a double by Juan Uribe
Juan Uribe
Juan C. Uribe Tena is a Dominican Republic professional baseball infielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. He began his career in 1997 when he was signed to the Colorado Rockies, and played with the team until December 3, 2003 when he was traded to the Chicago White Sox...
on a one ball and two strike count broke up the no hitter. Dioner Navarro
Dioner Navarro
Dioner Favian Navarro Vivas is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher, who is a free agent.-New York Yankees:In 2000, Navarro was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent...
then hit a single off Gregerson to score the winning run for the Dodgers. This was the closest the Padres have come to pitching a no-hitter since Steve Arlin
Steve Arlin
Steven Ralph Arlin is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. In six major league seasons, Arlin pitched for the San Diego Padres and Cleveland Indians .-College Star:...
in 1972. The Padres are one of two teams that have never pitched a no-hitter in their history, with the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
being the other.