| Greg Minton | |
|---|---|
 Minton in 1983 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1951-07-29)July 29, 1951 (age 73) Lubbock, Texas, U.S. | |
Batted: Switch Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 7, 1975, for the San Francisco Giants | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 29, 1990, for the California Angels | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 59–65 |
| Earned run average | 3.10 |
| Strikeouts | 479 |
| Saves | 150 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Gregory Brian Minton (born July 29, 1951), nicknamed "Moon Man", is an American formerMajor League Baseball (MLB) right-handedpitcher who played for theCalifornia Angels andSan Francisco Giants. Minton had a 16-year major league career, from1975 to1990, and was a member of the1982National LeagueAll-Star Team.
A crippling injury in1979 caused Minton to alter his delivery. Instead of using his high leg kick, Minton shortened his stride to take pressure off his knee. The new delivery gave Minton a 92-mph sinker that batters were unable to drive.[1] Minton went three full seasons (2691⁄3 innings) without allowing a home run untilJohn Stearns homered against him on May 2, 1982. As of 2025[update], this is the longest such streak in the period for which game-by-game data is available (since 1904).[2] Also in 1982, Minton appeared in his onlyAll-Star Game and finished sixth in National LeagueCy Young Award voting. On August 14, 1986, Minton gave up the last ofPete Rose's MLB record 4,256 career hits.
In 1989, Minton made 62 appearances in relief. He earned eightsaves and a 2.20earned run average (ERA). Over portions of 1988 and 1989, he pitched another105+2⁄3 consecutive innings without giving up a home run, which was the longest stretch of this type by any pitcher in Angels history. He signed a one-year extension for 1990 worth $850,000.[3] He spent much of the 1990 season on thedisabled list with elbow problems, and he pitched only15+1⁄3 innings before announcing his retirement that October.[4]
After his career as a player, Minton was a pitching coach in the California Angels organization and managed the independentLubbock Crickets for two years.
Minton's nickname, "Moon Man," stemmed from various escapades such as the hijacking of the team bus and the flooding of a minor league ballpark so he could leave Amarillo one day early at the end of the season.
Minton is married to Kari Jill Granville, a Phoenix attorney and former USA Archery team member.[citation needed]