Rick Greene
Encyclopedia
Richard Douglas Greene Jr. (born January 2, 1971 in Fort Knox, Kentucky) is a former right-handed Major League Baseball
relief pitcher who appeared in one game for the Cincinnati Reds
in 1999. He was 6'5" tall and he weighed 200 pounds.
Prior to playing professional baseball, Greene attended Coral Gables High School
and then Louisiana State University
. He helped lead LSU to victory in the 1991 College World Series
.
Originally drafted by the New York Yankees
in the 14th round of the 1989 draft
, Greene chose not to sign. However, when he was chosen 16th overall in the 1992 draft
by the Detroit Tigers
, he did sign.
He competed in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, so he did not play professionally that year. He began his professional career in 1993, splitting time between the Lakeland Tigers
and London Tigers
. In a combined 49 relief appearances, he went 4-5 with a 6.33 ERA. In 1993, he was ranked the sixth best prospect in the Tigers organization by Baseball America
. In 1994, he split the season between the Lakeland Tigers and Trenton Thunder
, going 1-5 with a 5.64 ERA in 39 games. That year, he started the only two games of his professional career and he was ranked the fifth best prospect in the Tigers organization by Baseball America. He also earned the first save in Trenton Thunder history that season. He showed a marked improvement in 1995 while pitching for the Jacksonville Suns
. For them he went 6-2 with a 3.49 ERA in 32 appearances. He again pitched for the Suns in 1996, going 2-7 with 30 saves and a 4.98 ERA in 57 appearances and earning an All Star berth. In 1997, he played for the Toledo Mud Hens
, going 6-8 with a 2.83 ERA in 57 games. On November 20, 1997, he was traded with Mike Myers and Santiago Perez
to the Milwaukee Brewers
for Bryce Florie
and cash.
Greene spent only one season in the Brewers farm system - 1998. Pitching for the Louisville Redbirds, he went 6-6 with a 3.51 ERA and 18 saves in 58 games. He was granted free agency on October 15.
Signed by the Reds on February 9, 1999, Greene went 5-7 with a 3.69 ERA in 61 appearances for their Triple-A minor league affiliate the Indianapolis Indians
. He made his lone big league appearance on June 19 of that year, against the Milwaukee Brewers
. Coming to relieve for Ron Villone
(who lasted only 1/3 of an inning because he gave up six earned runs), Greene pitched 5 innings, allowing seven hits, four runs and three earned runs while walking one batter and striking out two. He gave up a home run to the first batter he ever faced, Jose Valentin
and his ERA for the game was 4.76.
Granted free agency on October 10, 1999, Greene was signed by the Minnesota Twins
and began the 2000 season with the Salt Lake Buzz. For them he went 2-2 with a 5.81 ERA in 22 appearances. He then wound up in the Reds organization again, appearing in 32 games for the Louisville RiverBats, going 4-4 with a 2.82 ERA in 32 games. Overall, he went 6-6 with a 4.04 ERA.
He wrapped up his professional career in 2001, pitching for the Baton Rouge Blue Marlins
of the All-American Association
. An All-Star, he led the league that year with 21 saves.
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 who appeared in one game for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
in 1999. He was 6'5" tall and he weighed 200 pounds.
Prior to playing professional baseball, Greene attended Coral Gables High School
Coral Gables High School
Coral Gables Senior High School is a secondary school located at 450 Bird Road in Coral Gables, Florida, USA.Coral Gables SHS opened its doors in 1950; its architectural design reflects a Spanish influence with its open courtyards adorned with water fountains...
and then Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
. He helped lead LSU to victory in the 1991 College World Series
1991 College World Series
The 1991 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from May 31 to June 8. The forty-fifth tournament's champion was Louisiana State University, coached by Skip Bertman. The Most Outstanding Player was Gary Hymel of Louisiana State University...
.
Originally drafted by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
in the 14th round of the 1989 draft
1989 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1989 Major League Baseball draft.-Supplemental first round selections:-External links:*...
, Greene chose not to sign. However, when he was chosen 16th overall in the 1992 draft
1992 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1992 Major League Baseball draft.-Other notable players:*Raúl Ibáñez, 36th round, Seattle Mariners...
by the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, he did sign.
He competed in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, so he did not play professionally that year. He began his professional career in 1993, splitting time between the Lakeland Tigers
Lakeland Tigers
The Lakeland Flying Tigers are a minor league baseball team based in Lakeland, Florida.Home games are played at Joker Marchant Stadium; opened in 1966 and renovated in 2003. The park, which also doubles as the Detroit Tigers spring training home, seats 8,500 fans...
and London Tigers
London Tigers
The London Tigers were a professional AA baseball team that played in the Eastern League from 1989 to 1993. They played at Labatt Memorial Park in London, Ontario, and were affiliated with the Detroit Tigers.-History:...
. In a combined 49 relief appearances, he went 4-5 with a 6.33 ERA. In 1993, he was ranked the sixth best prospect in the Tigers organization by Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
. In 1994, he split the season between the Lakeland Tigers and Trenton Thunder
Trenton Thunder
The Trenton Thunder are an American Minor League Baseball team and are the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Thunder play in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League, and are the two-time defending league champions...
, going 1-5 with a 5.64 ERA in 39 games. That year, he started the only two games of his professional career and he was ranked the fifth best prospect in the Tigers organization by Baseball America. He also earned the first save in Trenton Thunder history that season. He showed a marked improvement in 1995 while pitching for the Jacksonville Suns
Jacksonville Suns
The Jacksonville Suns are a minor league baseball team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The team is currently a member of the Southern League and is the class Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins Major League Baseball team...
. For them he went 6-2 with a 3.49 ERA in 32 appearances. He again pitched for the Suns in 1996, going 2-7 with 30 saves and a 4.98 ERA in 57 appearances and earning an All Star berth. In 1997, he played for the Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
, going 6-8 with a 2.83 ERA in 57 games. On November 20, 1997, he was traded with Mike Myers and Santiago Perez
Santiago Pérez (baseball)
Santiago Alberto Pérez is a former utility player in Major League Baseball. Pérez was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed...
to the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for Bryce Florie
Bryce Florie
Bryce Bettancourt Florie is a minor league pitching coach and former Major League Baseball pitcher....
and cash.
Greene spent only one season in the Brewers farm system - 1998. Pitching for the Louisville Redbirds, he went 6-6 with a 3.51 ERA and 18 saves in 58 games. He was granted free agency on October 15.
Signed by the Reds on February 9, 1999, Greene went 5-7 with a 3.69 ERA in 61 appearances for their Triple-A minor league affiliate the Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
. He made his lone big league appearance on June 19 of that year, against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. Coming to relieve for Ron Villone
Ron Villone
Ronald Thomas Villone Jr. is a Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher who is currently with the Somerset Patriots. He has not been on the same team for more than two years in his major league career and due to his many baseball travels, some of his teammates have affectionately referred...
(who lasted only 1/3 of an inning because he gave up six earned runs), Greene pitched 5 innings, allowing seven hits, four runs and three earned runs while walking one batter and striking out two. He gave up a home run to the first batter he ever faced, Jose Valentin
José Valentín
José Antonio Valentín is a former Major League Baseball infielder, who played with the Milwaukee Brewers , Chicago White Sox , Los Angeles Dodgers , and New York Mets .-Early years:...
and his ERA for the game was 4.76.
Granted free agency on October 10, 1999, Greene was signed by the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
and began the 2000 season with the Salt Lake Buzz. For them he went 2-2 with a 5.81 ERA in 22 appearances. He then wound up in the Reds organization again, appearing in 32 games for the Louisville RiverBats, going 4-4 with a 2.82 ERA in 32 games. Overall, he went 6-6 with a 4.04 ERA.
He wrapped up his professional career in 2001, pitching for the Baton Rouge Blue Marlins
Baton Rouge Blue Marlins
The Baton Rouge Blue Marlins, located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and managed by Scott Bethea, were a professional baseball team in the All-American Association. Both the team and the league existed for only one season, 2001. They played their home games at Pete Goldsby Field...
of the All-American Association
All-American Association
The All-American Association was an independent minor league that existed in the southern United States in 2001. Total attendance in 2001 was 200,970. The league folded after the end of the season and four of the league's six teams joined other leagues...
. An All-Star, he led the league that year with 21 saves.