[1] His father was 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 m) tall and an older brother, Mark, played college football as an offensive lineman for the University of Oregon.

[3] As a football quarterback, he received scholarship offers from Michigan, South Carolina and Florida as well as multiple schools in what was then the Pac-10 Conference.

Despite having stalled in the minor leagues up to that point, Gregg felt that, at 24 years old, it was too late for him to begin a college football career.

[4] Gregg spent eight seasons in the minor leagues and worked odd jobs during the winter, including at a steel mill, until he decided that they were unduly risky to his health.

The Angels depth made Gregg expendable and on November 20, 2006, he found himself being dealt to the Florida Marlins for Chris Resop.

By the time spring training was completed, he had been relegated back to a middle reliever role after the team made a trade to bring in Jorge Julio.

On March 29, 2009, manager Lou Piniella announced that Gregg had won the closer position and Marmol would serve as set-up pitcher.

On February 5, 2010, Gregg signed a 1-year, $2.75 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays with team options for future years.

[9] On January 5, 2011, Gregg agreed to a 2-year, $10 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles with team options for future years.

[10] On July 8, 2011, when trailing the Boston Red Sox by seven runs in the eighth inning, Gregg threw three consecutive inside pitches to designated hitter David Ortiz.

On the next pitch – with a 3–0 count and a 7 run lead in the eighth inning, Ortiz swung at a fastball strike, sending a shallow fly into right-center field.

[14] On February 10, 2013, he signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers that included an invitation to spring training.

[15] Gregg was called up to the majors in late April, was named closer in early May by Cubs manager Dale Sveum, and picked up 33 saves in 38 opportunities with a 2–6 record.