As a White Sox fan I do not recall Carlos Quentin as someone who was combative with opposing players. Quentin has always been among the League Leaders in hit by pitch, at all levels, college, minors, and the Major Leagues.
With the Diamondbacks, Quentin was a talented prospect who was not delivering on his promise. His intensity worked against him.
In his first successful season with the Chicago White Sox Quentin was considered to be an MVP candidate until he injured his hand in acting out his frustration from a failed at bat. *
Greinke was tossed in the first inning of a Milwaukee Brewers game during a pennant race.**
So both players have had to overcome issues with their mental approach.
I would think both players achieved great success as amateur athletes because of drive and intensity, but at times they may have suffered consequences for being so driven and intense.
I checked out my recollections after my post -
*
From wikipedia. Quentin injured his wrist after slamming his bat with his wrist in frustration after fouling off a pitch in Cleveland. On September 5, 2008, it was reported that Quentin had a fractured wrist and would undergo surgery, missing the rest of the season.
[3]White Sox lose 100-RBI man Quentin to self-inflicted wrist injury
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3571240
In 2008, Quentin was a huge surprise for the White Sox, emerging to become one of the team's best hitters. Through August 18, he was ranking among
American League leaders in home runs (first, 35),
slugging percentage (third, .586),
OPS (third, .981), and runs batted in (third, 96). Quentin's strong season drew calls for a possible AL MVP award. After Quentin hit his 35th HR in a 13-5 rout of the Mariners on August 18, White Sox catcher AJ Pierzynski said, "As far as I'm concerned, Quentin has been the American League MVP."
White Sox fans bestowed the nickname "TCQ," standing for "The Carlos Quentin." The name originated from a quote from GM Ken Williams after he acquired Quentin. He said, "We wanted to upgrade at shortstop, get a setup guy for the bullpen, acquire Carlos Quentin, and not a guy like him but actually Carlos Quentin."
Quentin's other local nickname is "Q-uperman." The "Q-uperman" sign, depicting Quentin as Superman with an "Q" on his chest, was shown many times on the Jumbotron at the park, and even received mention in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and on ESPN's Baseball Tonight.
Quentin finished the year with a .288 average, 36 home runs, 100 RBI, and a .394 on-base percentage in 130 games. Defensively, in 2008 he had the lowest fielding percentage of all starting AL left fielders, .971.[4] Even though he missed the last month of the season, Quentin was awarded his first Silver Slugger Award.
Quentin finished fifth in the balloting for AL MVP, behind Dustin Pedroia, Justin Morneau, Kevin Youkilis, and Joe Mauer.
** ooooohdoggie - I remembered it being later in the season, this game actually occurred just before the All-Star Game -
From wikipedia, In an oddity, Greinke became the first pitcher to start three straight games for his team in 95 years. On July 7, he was ejected from the game after just 4 pitches for angrily throwing the ball into the ground following a close play at first base. The following day, Greinke started again, but lasted only until the third inning.
[24] The
All-Star break followed, and Greinke was the Brewers' starter on July 13, the team's next game. Greinke's third start ended after 5 innings.
4/19/2013 4:28 PM (edited)