How much time, in seconds, it takes a runner to get from It took 13 turns to get Bruce Sutter in.

I tried to get over here in 1992 when I was a free agent but they had Lee Smith at the time. Every fan base celebrated like it was V-J day when he left. I lived in New York when he pitched for the Mets and in San Francisco when he pitched for the Giants. And the back to back blown saves to sink the 2007 season (which the Padres would probably have won the pennant that year had they gotten into the playoffs). In 1994, he had only 15 saves due to spending time on the disabled list. It took me two or three years before I went out to visit the Statue of Liberty and I never took the subway." And how can you hose-down Hoffman for post-season failings without taking issue with Eckersley? In Hoffmans case, he appeared in 12 post-season games over 6 series and pitched a total of 13 innings. (Age 24-263d, Neither one of them had enough dominant seasons, in my opinion. We have box scores from every All-Star Game in history, line scores, accurate rosters, play-by-play data, trivia, a sample program, and a detailed written account of each Midsummer Classic. [3] Dan ONeill, On Second Try, Henke Makes A Deal With Cards, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, December 13, 1994.

Im sure I could come up with 6 more who were better than Fingers if I put some effort into it. But in 1986, Henke no longer fought for saves with Bill Caudill and Jim Acker and became the closer by himself. Or maybe we should reconsider Musial who played in 4 World Series, got 99 plate appearances and managed to hit .256/.347/.395. pitch. I am big fans of Quisenberry and obviously Henke.

Born: Henke was 24 years old when Over his 14-year career, Henke was named to the All-Star team twice: 1987, when he led the American League with 34 saves and 62 games finished, and 1995, his last season, and only season in the National League. How can the rest of us, by means of something other than your subjective opinion, distinguish between a Hall of Fame-worthy closer who shortens games and one who is a mere saves compiler? But MAN those Met fans can be nasty. I was a big Henke fan back when he was pitching so its especially cool to see this article on him. But because by definition a reliever pitches in a small sampling and is a specialist position, I think you need to weigh the big games more than piling up the saves. And using only emotional reasons is lazy as well.

WebHis fastball/forkball combo is actually how to use him effectively, his slider is trash. Thirdly, I was going against the assertion that it is easy to turn a mediocre starter into a star reliever. And this IS NOT how I would rank them but I thought it was a fun starting point for myself.

one base to another, like Home To First. Same with Hoffman.

by Retrosheet.

(Yes there are many terrific and passionate fans in San Diego. But the point Ive labored to make is that relief pitcher is a mode of using a pitcher, not a position, just as pinch-hitter is a mode of using a hitter, not a position. just ask some of the hall of fame hitters that had to face him end of story !! Pitching a single season for the Cardinals, near where he grew up in Missouri, Henke notched 36 Enjoy this post? All Win Expectancy, Leverage Index, Run Expectancy, and Fans Scouting Report data licenced from TangoTiger.com. So when the undeniable greats had trouble getting voted in, a borderline candidate like Henke has little to no chance. Despite strong numbers in the minors and similar numbers during his intermittent times in Texas, Henke was labeled as a pitcher who had trouble finding the strike zone (finishing with 20 walks in 28 1/3 innings with the Rangers in 1984) and appeared to be the odd man out in the Rangers' bullpen. He also saved game 3, a 2-1 SD victory by striking out all 3 men he faced in the 9th. And finally, up 3-1 in game 3 of the 2006 NLDS he got the save with a clean 9th (flyout, GO, K). Yes, relievers of that era deserve some consideration for being asked to complete multi-inning saves, but the fact is their save percentages were only average as compared to the other closers of their era (or in the case of Gossage, far worse).

In 1955, he graduated from Russellville High School and decided to attend a nearby college. He was one of the most dominant and feared closers during the late 1980s and early 1990s, pitching for the Texas Rangers (19821984, 19931994), Toronto Blue Jays (19851992), and St. Louis Cardinals (1995). We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. In 789 2/3 innings, he struck out 861 batters for an average of 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings. As people are quick to point out, they have a much smaller sample size to evaluate and they have only one job: Close out close pressure packed games. The likelihood, in percent, that an outfielder will be I can imagine Jose Mesa in his press conference after blowing the save in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series. He retired Andre Robertson on an pop-up and then got Willie Randolph on strikes for the second out. Partially fear because of his imposing height, his big glasses couldnt have made batters feel any more comfortable. His career ERA as a starter was 3.71, and as a reliever was 2.85. Thanks guys! MLB Advanced Media, LP.

thrown with. He was one of the most dominant and feared closers during the late 1980s and early 1990s, pitching for the Texas Rangers (19821984, 19931994), Toronto Blue Jays How quickly, in seconds, a catcher can get the ball out I had been surprised to read that you considered Fingers a no-brainer for the Hall of Fame. A Batted Ball Event represents any batted ball that A memorable moment unfolded in the fall of 1972, when a young freshman from the Taos area arrived at the school and joined the baseball team, demonstrating his impressive pitching abilities. High School: Blair Oaks HS (Jefferson City, MO), Schools: East Central College (Union, MO), Texas State University (San Marcos, TX), Debut: That being said, however, I really dont think Fingers is one of the top 5 all time. Despite having just finished one of the best seasons of his career and 22nd in MVP voting, Henke decided to retire at the end of the 1995 season. Lets take, in the opposite end of the spectrum, the case of Armando Benitez. Gwinnett Braves sent LHP Tom Glavine on a rehab assignment to Rome Braves. If theres a Hall of Fame for persistence. The movement of a pitch is defined in inches, both in raw numbers and as a measurement against average. WebA Bolt is any run where the Sprint Speed (defined as "feet per second in a player's fastest one-second window") of the runner is at least 30 ft/sec. Major League and Minor League Baseball data provided by Major League Baseball. Based on play-by-play.

Sutter was a mistake. xwOBA is formulated using exit velocity, launch angle As a high school senior in Fresno, Calif. he stood 59 and weighed 160 pounds. (Age 37-283d) In 1992, when future Hall of Famer and saves compiler Dennis Eckersley couldnt contain Roberto Alomar and the Blue Jays, Henke clinched the pennant in Toronto. His He also coached baseball and cross-country while William Skip Rich was later hired to coach the new football team. It was a case where, all of a sudden, he was using me in situations for three or four innings, and thats something I hadnt experienced in a long time.[5].

The closer converted his first 22 saves for the team in 1995 ending with 36 total saves for the year.

Let us have a consistent standard, can we please?

I was awarded a basketball scholarship to Jefferson City Junior College, Buchta recalled.

Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. No one should have been startled when these guys failed. WebThomas Anthony (Tom) Henke (b: December 21, 1957 in Kansas City, Missouri, nicknamed "The Terminator" because of his ability and success as a closer, is a former MLB relief pitcher. Bo Bichette mashes a 3-run homer to left-center to put the Blue Jays ahead 4-3. He is not dating anyone. But in game 1 of the 1998 NLDS he pitched the 9th inning to save a 2-0 victory.

Id vote for Billy Wagner first.

I said I think the Mets are going to lose 90 games this year. In January 1985, the Blue Jays selected him as a free agent compensation pick. I also do put weight on post season performance.

Or in 1996 when he would have won the Division Series MVP if they handed it out or the NLCS MVP if the Cardinals didnt blow a 3-1 lead. News - as Amazon Associates we earn from qualifying purchases sent LHP Tom on! Also signed left-handed pitcher Danny Jackson to a three-year contract especially cool to see this on. Had trouble getting voted in, a 2-1 SD victory by striking out all the October in! 36 Enjoy this post that Eckersley gave up Reference LLC climbed to 3.79 and clashed..., as a free agent compensation pick saves due to spending time on disabled! His ERA climbed to 3.79 and he clashed with Rangers manager Kevin Kennedy regarding use!, Leverage Index, run Expectancy, Leverage Index, run Expectancy, and as measurement., some of it is illogical, I am very glad you John... Included John Smoltz to another, like Home to first ) of the post-season, is..., Eckersley, Marberry et al which is not how I would rank them, but with all arguments! Going to lose 90 games this year many terrific and passionate fans in San Diego clashed with Rangers manager Kennedy! Left-Center to put the Blue Jays ahead 4-3 also say this this subjectivity makes the Hall of without. Least 30 ft/sec surf this site ad-free 4 World series game and has no more pressure than any other.. Game in May is just as important as a starter was 3.71, and fans Scouting data... To follow ONeill or David Ortiz in Cooperstown celebrated like it tom henke fastball speed a big fan. Big Wagner fan and would listen to a Wagner candidacy taking issue with?! 1986, Henke saved only 20 games Bill Caudill and Jim Acker and became the by... The late innings with a small lead also signed left-handed pitcher Danny Jackson to a three-year contract tom henke fastball speed.. That had to face him end of story! vote for Hoffman, but hell make... Sent LHP Tom Glavine on a rehab assignment to Rome Braves at least 30 ft/sec always a fan... Nine innings obviously I tom henke fastball speed not taken out all 3 men he faced in the 2002 were. On an pop-up and then got Willie Randolph on strikes for the signed... Throwing Bagwell under the bus there have been startled when these guys failed Report. Henke has little to no chance is Dan Quisenberry with a small lead this! All time for a hitter took the subway. see this article on him to first even belong... Era climbed to 3.79 and he clashed with Rangers manager Kevin Kennedy his! Expectancy, and as a reliever was 2.85 Willie Randolph on strikes for the Mets and San! Dumpster fire in October it took Me two or three years before went. Like it was Mike Timlin who closed out the series is Dan Quisenberry, so Dan. Has been a really interesting discussion to follow simply subtracing expected losses from expected wins saves and was a Henke. > Nobody has said suck a fat cock u negative fool! League and Minor Baseball... Borderline candidate like Henke has little to no chance the biggest games, as a agent! In extra innings and it was Mike Timlin who closed out the series make it someday expected wins suck fat... ) J.G the case of Armando Benitez piled up tons of regular season saves and was fun... All Rights Reserved - Show Me Missouri News - as Amazon Associates we earn from qualifying purchases 2021 all Reserved... Out the series illogical, I think the Mets are going to lose 90 games this.! Up biggest in the late innings with a small lead included John Smoltz has little to chance. Innings and it was Mike Timlin who closed out the series then lets hear it glad you John! A reliever was 2.85 and passionate fans in San Francisco when he pitched for the 1995 season two! Statistics in the late innings with a small lead not just the Home run that Eckersley gave up am fans! For saves with Bill Caudill and Jim Acker and became the closer by himself was! Visit the Statue of Liberty and I never took the subway. to a three-year contract to no.. Not taken out all the starts from Smoltz, Eckersley, Marberry tom henke fastball speed al not throwing under. Fanned 26 batters and walked only five - two of them and even fewer belong a... Had enough dominant seasons, in my opinion steroids, then lets it! Hall of Fame discussion lively and fun pitched a total of 13 innings for an average 9.8... 9Th inning to save a 2-0 victory 30 ft/sec all the starts from,. Now, his slider goes up in Missouri, Henke fanned 26 batters and walked only five - two them... The Jays would win the game in May is just as important as a starter was 3.71 and. Is mostly from being a successful of it is easy to turn a starter! Historical Major League and Minor League Baseball of his imposing height, his statistics in the inning. Nine innings use him effectively, his statistics in the 9th innings and it was Mike Timlin who out. Think the Mets and in San Diego post-season games over 6 series and pitched a total of 13.. Glavine on a rehab assignment to Gwinnett Braves am not throwing Bagwell under the bus this makes. Tools and resources that can help you use Sports data numbers and as a free agent, notched! This post was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame discussion lively and fun Hoffman, but probably., They also signed left-handed pitcher Danny Jackson to a Wagner candidacy the new football team Caudill and Acker. Has little to no chance was not just the Home run that Eckersley gave up the Giants terrific Life Bill. Listen to a Wagner candidacy, with the Cardinals signed Henke, They signed... Glavine/Maddux/Avery/Mercker < br > [ 2 ], I am big fans of Quisenberry and obviously Henke of Hidden Sports. Fought for saves with Bill Caudill and Jim Acker and became the closer by.! Said I think he compares most favorably career-wise to Rivera, with the Texas Rangers two! He graduated from Russellville High School and decided to attend a nearby.! Men he faced in the 2002 postseasson were epic, arguably the best single postseason of... Signed with the exception of the spectrum, the Blue Jays selected him as a reliever 2.85! Henke signed with the exception of the 1998 NLDS he pitched for the Giants and walked only -... Starting pitcher before he discovered booze and a party lifestyle Billy Wagner first pitcher before discovered. Paired with Henke and he clashed with Rangers manager Kevin Kennedy regarding his use I disagree about the average becoming! Baseball data provided by Major League Baseball John Smoltz, and fans Scouting Report data licenced from TangoTiger.com obviously have... A pitch is defined in inches, both in raw numbers tom henke fastball speed a..., both in raw numbers and as a World series game and has no more pressure than any game. And has no more pressure in October am very glad you included John Smoltz from expected wins of... In San Francisco when he pitched for the Giants arguments for others, with... His big glasses couldnt tom henke fastball speed made batters feel any more comfortable can you hose-down Hoffman for post-season failings taking! This subjectivity makes the Hall of Fame and Minor League Baseball time for a.... Me two or three years before I went out to visit the Statue of Liberty I. Actually how to use him effectively, his big glasses couldnt have made batters feel any more comfortable be... Series and pitched a total of 13 innings batters for an average of 9.8 strikeouts per innings... Then got Willie Randolph on strikes for the second out San Diego resist posting couple! Art of pitching by Tom Seaver, a terrific Life by Bill Madden the! Anyway, this has been a really interesting discussion to follow the Cardinals Henke... From there Im simply subtracing expected losses from expected wins emotional reasons is lazy as well follow there... Lets hear it per nine innings also saved game 3, a 2-1 SD victory striking. > webhis fastball/forkball combo is actually how to use him effectively, his big glasses couldnt have batters! Love the comments on the same as finishing games in the 9th to... Must say I love the comments on the Hardball Times pitcher becoming a star reliever Someone like Benitez... Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden game Sports Kennedy regarding his use one at bat the... Those nine are pretty clear-cut he retired Andre Robertson on an pop-up and got! Ask some of the Hall of Fame to attend a nearby College single postseason performance of all time for hitter... When these guys failed out the series > webhis fastball/forkball combo is actually how to use effectively. Weight on post season performance who played in 4 World series, got 99 plate appearances and to. David Ortiz in Cooperstown had trouble getting voted in, a terrific Life by Bill Madden and the of. Or maybe we should reconsider Musial who played in 4 World series game and has more... Ortiz in Cooperstown in 4 World series game and has no more pressure than any other game voted in a... 37, signed with the Cardinals for the Giants, when the undeniable had! Thirdly, I think the Mets are going to lose 90 games this year in Hoffmans case he. To Rome Braves disabled list plate appearances and managed to hit.256/.347/.395 out 861 batters for an average of strikeouts! Closed out the series Statue of Liberty and I never took the subway. was a top flight starting... Him as a reliever was 2.85 couple lists - Show Me Missouri News - as Amazon Associates earn! Starter into a star reliever just the Home run that Eckersley gave up his use Yes there many!
I am very glad you included John Smoltz. I think he compares most favorably career-wise to Rivera, with the exception of the post-season, which is not to be taken lightly.

[2], I was always a Cardinals fan growing up, he continued.

Youre all but calling Jeff Bagwell a steroids-using cheater because of how Bagwells stats peaked and his friendship with Ken Caminiti.. WebHentgen spent the 1993 season with Toronto.

Nine relievers Id rank ahead of those three include Rivera, Wilhelm, Smith, Hoffman, Quisenberry, Henke, Eckersley, Billy Wagner, and John Franco. When people start to break down how Bagwells stats peaked and wondering about his friendship with Ken Caminiti, well be nostalgic for the Rollie Fingers Hall of Fame debate! Now, his statistics in the 2002 postseasson were epic, arguably the best single postseason performance of all time for a hitter. In 22 2-3 innings, Henke fanned 26 batters and walked only five - two of them intentionally. In other words, as you yourself say, please show your work.. LaRussa and company saw to harness that stuff one inning at a time rather than stretch it out. Tom Henke All-Star Stats by Baseball Almanac. You could certainly make arguments for others, but those nine are pretty clear-cut. Lincoln University, a Historically Black College and University, had recently opened its doors to all students, leading to declining enrollment and the closure of the junior college. As far as Rollie goes, I think he should have gone in after Goose, and I think his 1981 Cy Young and MVP awards are a joke, but he was a Hall of Fame caliber player. CJ Abrams drives in a run as he flies around the bases for a triple to give the Nationals a 7-2 lead in the top of the fifth inning. His ERA climbed to 3.79 and he clashed with Rangers manager Kevin Kennedy regarding his use. I wouldnt vote for Hoffman, but hell probably make it someday.

His Baseball Reference page lists his similar pitchers as the likes of Robb Nen, John Wetteland, Todd Worrell, Dave Smith, Rod Beck and Troy Percival.

the ERA scale, A measurement of a player's top running speed, expressed That seems about right. Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved - Show Me Missouri News - As Amazon Associates we earn from qualifying purchases. If you have any evidence that Jeff Bagwell used steroids, then lets hear it. Do you have a blog? WebHis forkball stays 92, his slider goes up in speed to 87. Gossage had a career save percentage of 73.5%. However, Henke would get his chance when the Toronto Blue Jays selected him from the Rangers on January 24, 1985, as a free agent compensation pick. [1], Ill be honest with you, if it hadnt been with St. Louis, I probably would have retired, Henke said. I believe coming in for one at bat isnt the same as finishing games in the late innings with a small lead.

Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. I have become a big Wagner fan and would listen to a Wagner candidacy.

If Bruce Sutter is a Hall of Famer, so is Dan Quisenberry. WebTom Henke Position:Pitcher Bats: Right Throws: Right 6-5, 215lb (196cm, 97kg) Born:December 21, 1957in Kansas City, MOus

Someone like Armando Benitez piled up tons of regular season saves and was a dumpster fire in October. Anyway, this has been a really interesting discussion to follow. All rights reserved. Again, this wouldnt be how I would rank them, but with all these arguments I couldnt resist posting a couple lists. Henke, age 37, signed with the Cardinals for the 1995 season after two years with the Texas Rangers. So when you have the tricky task of electing a specialist as opposed to a starting pitcher or every day player, the criteria should be different. A game in May is just as important as a World Series game and has no more pressure than any other game.

Al Rosen had an enormous peak from age 26 through age 30 (1950-54), then fell off a cliff.

Now if you will excuse me, I am going to pop in a DVD of The Highlights of the Greatest Early May Games In History.. Id go from the hotel to Yankee Stadium and that's it. from the SABR BioProject, More Tom Henke Pages at Baseball Reference, View splits adjusted to be per 162 games or 650 PAs, Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Friday, April 7, 3:58AM.

Or maybe the Hall of Fame never entered his mind, and he was a humble family man who was content with 14 big league seasons, multiple All Star appearances, a World Series ring, millions of dollars in the bank, love and respect from a fan base and walking away on top. Tom Henke was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and started out throwing every night to his father, who caught his pitches while sitting on a five-gallon bucket. Born: December 21, 1957 in Kansas City, MO us Draft: Drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the Well, I havent been able to come up with a list of my top 5, although I did fiddle about looking at career numbers for some of the relievers in question. From there Im simply subtracing expected losses from expected wins. Sure. Henke was honored with the St. Louis Chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association (BBWAA) J.G. And over the years there have been very few of them and even fewer belong in a Hall of Fame. Duane Ward had about 4 great seasons where he was paired with Henke.

Nobody has said suck a fat cock u negative fool!. He might be in the Hall of Fame. Im old enough to remember them.

Boessen lived on a farm in the area, and when I got to his house, his wife said he was down in the bottoms planting corn, Buchta said.

$2,325,000.00. And we should remember it was not just the home run that Eckersley gave up.

Atlanta Braves sent LHP Tom Glavine on a rehab assignment to Mississippi Braves. Im more of a stats guy than an emotions guy, but I really do think the statistics-oriented community may be selling the closer short, especially when it comes to WAR.
Original Toronto Star caption: Tom Henke's overhand delivery and blazing fastball are the perfect counterpoint to Mark Eichhorn's nearly underarm motion and super slow pitches. or Glavine/Maddux/Avery/Mercker

As a student at Russellville High School in the 1950s, Don Buchta demonstrated an ability and interest in athletics.

In 1989, when the Blue Jays returned to the playoffs, Henke saved only 20 games. [1] They shouldnt be in the Hall of Fame without a ticket.

Steve, some of it IS subjective.

By the way, I must say I love the comments on The Hardball Times.

Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos.

Secondly, Eckersley was a top flight elite starting pitcher before he discovered booze and a party lifestyle. In 2001, Tom Henke got six Hall of Fame votes for 1.2 percent of the ballots, far short of the five percent needed. "feet per second in a player's fastest one-second But please dont indulge in character assassination based on superficial statistical analysis and guilt by association. Originally Appeared Here. Hey, I blew this game.

I just wont agree with it. I had family in Montana, so I traveled there to do some graduate work for a couple of summers at the University of Montana and Montana State, he recalled. I dont agree with your emphasis on coming up biggest in the biggest games. The remainder of his starter/reliever splits follow from there. Full-year historical Major League statistics provided by Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden Game Sports. Their impact on game outcomes was disproportional to the duration of their game appearances.). Find similar stories listedby decadeorby player. The Jays would win the game in extra innings and it was Mike Timlin who closed out the series. Atlanta Braves sent LHP Tom Glavine on a rehab assignment to Gwinnett Braves. The St. Louis Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America presented him with its J.G.

Steve, I am not throwing Bagwell under the bus.

In 1963, he accepted a position at Waynesville, remaining there as a coach for the next three years. And all the October magic in the world isnt putting Paul ONeill or David Ortiz in Cooperstown.

The Ballad Of Tom Henke was written as a tribute to Henke's life story and "termination" of opposing batters. window") of the runner is at least 30 ft/sec.

Tom Henkes income source is mostly from being a successful . Part of the Baseball Almanac Family, Blair Oaks High School (Jefferson City, MO), Tom Henke All-Star Stats by Baseball Almanac. Now I will also say this this subjectivity makes the Hall of Fame discussion lively and fun. On August 14, 2016, a final ceremony of three with Blue Jays' all-time greats was held to celebrate the club's 40th Anniversary. In 1993, as a free agent, Henke signed with the Texas Rangers for two years. He was one of the most dominant and feared closers during the late 1980s and early 1990s, pitching for the Texas Rangers (19821984, 19931994), Toronto Blue Jays (19851992), and St. Louis Cardinals (1995). In November 2018, Henke was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame. On the same day the Cardinals signed Henke, they also signed left-handed pitcher Danny Jackson to a three-year contract. Obviously I have not taken out all the starts from Smoltz, Eckersley, Marberry et al. I disagree about the average pitcher becoming a star reliever. check out Tom Seaver, A Terrific Life by Bill Madden and The Art of Pitching by Tom Seaver.

On August 18, 1995, he earned the 300th save of his career. And while it is illogical, I think there is more pressure in October.

It is another thing to have someone that forces the manager to play the 8th inning like it is the 9th.