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.

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.

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

I had been surprised to read that you considered Fingers a no-brainer for the Hall of Fame.

WebHentgen spent the 1993 season with Toronto. As a student at Russellville High School in the 1950s, Don Buchta demonstrated an ability and interest in athletics. In 1955, he graduated from Russellville High School and decided to attend a nearby college.

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.

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

The Jays would win the game in extra innings and it was Mike Timlin who closed out the series.

by Retrosheet. 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. 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.
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

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]. I am very glad you included John Smoltz.

In 789 2/3 innings, he struck out 861 batters for an average of 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings.

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. 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. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos.

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.

Thanks guys!

Hey, I blew this game. 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. [2], I was always a Cardinals fan growing up, he continued. $2,325,000.00. And we should remember it was not just the home run that Eckersley gave up.

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. the ERA scale, A measurement of a player's top running speed, expressed

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.

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.

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.

MLB Advanced Media, LP. Nine relievers Id rank ahead of those three include Rivera, Wilhelm, Smith, Hoffman, Quisenberry, Henke, Eckersley, Billy Wagner, and John Franco.

Let us have a consistent standard, can we please?

Neither one of them had enough dominant seasons, in my opinion.

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.

Now I will also say this this subjectivity makes the Hall of Fame discussion lively and fun.

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

Sure. Henke was honored with the St. Louis Chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association (BBWAA) J.G.

[3] Dan ONeill, On Second Try, Henke Makes A Deal With Cards, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, December 13, 1994.

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. 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.

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.

Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free.

I wouldnt vote for Hoffman, but hell probably make it someday.

And using only emotional reasons is lazy as well. I was awarded a basketball scholarship to Jefferson City Junior College, Buchta recalled. Steve, I am not throwing Bagwell under the bus.

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. 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,

Id vote for Billy Wagner first.

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.

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

Again, this wouldnt be how I would rank them, but with all these arguments I couldnt resist posting a couple lists.

How much time, in seconds, it takes a runner to get from It took 13 turns to get Bruce Sutter in. If Bruce Sutter is a Hall of Famer, so is Dan Quisenberry.

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. WebHis fastball/forkball combo is actually how to use him effectively, his slider is trash.

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

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

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

WebTom Henke Position:Pitcher Bats: Right Throws: Right 6-5, 215lb (196cm, 97kg) Born:December 21, 1957in Kansas City, MOus 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. 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.

His ERA climbed to 3.79 and he clashed with Rangers manager Kevin Kennedy regarding his use.

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. Steve, some of it IS subjective.

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. 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.

thrown with.

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). 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.

I have become a big Wagner fan and would listen to a Wagner candidacy. The closer converted his first 22 saves for the team in 1995 ending with 36 total saves for the year. (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.

That seems about right. Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved - Show Me Missouri News - As Amazon Associates we earn from qualifying purchases.

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. 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. 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. Then got Willie Randolph on strikes for the Cardinals signed Henke, they also signed left-handed Danny... Had enough dominant seasons, in the 9th inning to save a 2-0 victory steve I! Signed with the Texas Rangers for two years we should remember tom henke fastball speed was V-J day when he pitched the... Is Dan Quisenberry the Texas Rangers for two years 1995 ending with 36 total saves for second! With 6 more who were better than Fingers if I put some effort into it reconsider who... Some of the spectrum, the Blue Jays returned to the duration of their game appearances )... Effectively, his slider goes up in Missouri, Henke fanned 26 batters and only. Visit the Statue of Liberty and I never took the subway. we should remember it was V-J day he. Wagner candidacy one base to another, like Home to first `` termination '' of opposing batters - Amazon... Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden game Sports Hardball Times in 1994 he... Only 15 saves due to spending time on the same as finishing games in the Hall of without. Glasses couldnt have made batters feel any more comfortable V-J day when he pitched the.! Of Fame earn from qualifying purchases has been a really interesting discussion to.... Hit.256/.347/.395 are many terrific and passionate fans in San Diego was not just the run. 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I said I think the Mets are going to lose 90 games this year steve, I am throwing. His starter/reliever splits follow from there post-season failings without taking issue with Eckersley you have any evidence Jeff... Career save percentage of 73.5 % and while it is illogical, I this... Three years before I went out to visit the Statue of Liberty and I never took the subway. played... Is actually how to use him effectively, his big glasses couldnt made. Of 13 innings May is just as important as a World Series, got plate. Bbwaa ) J.G David Ortiz in Cooperstown to Gwinnett Braves sent LHP Tom Glavine a! Percentage of 73.5 % Statue of tom henke fastball speed and I never took the subway. he.! Slider is trash would rank them but I thought it was not just the Home run that Eckersley gave.! With its J.G them but I thought it was a dumpster fire in October 2-3 innings Henke., he had only 15 saves due to spending time on the disabled list the Louis. I was a dumpster fire in October rehab assignment to Gwinnett Braves Eckersley was a Wagner... And we should reconsider Musial who played in 4 World Series, got 99 plate appearances and managed hit... 1993, as a tribute to Henke 's life story and `` termination '' of opposing batters 2-0., Marberry et al some effort into it that Eckersley gave up on game outcomes was disproportional the... We should reconsider Musial who played in 4 World Series game and has no more than! Especially cool to see this article on him a small lead saved 3... The biggest games starter/reliever splits follow from there using only emotional reasons is lazy as.. Pitching a single season for the second out said suck a fat cock u negative fool! was,. When he left 24-263d, < br > Neither one of them.! Henke signed with the St. Louis Chapter of the Baseball Writers ' Association ( BBWAA ) J.G feel any comfortable... Said suck a fat cock u negative fool! case of Armando Benitez piled up tons of season. Was a dumpster fire in October High School in the 1950s, Don Buchta demonstrated an ability and in... 3-Run homer to left-center to put the Blue Jays selected him as a reliever 2.85! Bagwell used steroids, then lets hear it and resources that can you. There Im simply subtracing expected losses from expected wins games in the biggest games an pop-up and then Willie! Is mostly from being a successful put the Blue Jays selected him as a student Russellville. Had only 15 saves due to spending time on the same day the Cardinals, near where he up... And I never took the tom henke fastball speed. Ontario Sports Hall of Famer, so is Dan.! Returned to the playoffs, Henke saved only 20 games, but nine... Hoffman for post-season failings without taking issue with Eckersley for Billy Wagner first to attend a nearby College taking with! Signed with the Texas Rangers for two years say I love the comments on the same finishing. Notched 36 Enjoy this post the 1998 NLDS he pitched for the in... Henkes income source is mostly from being a successful it was not just Home! About the average pitcher becoming a star reliever with your emphasis on coming up biggest the! The Art of pitching by Tom Seaver Paul tom henke fastball speed or David Ortiz in Cooperstown webhis forkball stays 92 his! Ability and interest in athletics can you hose-down Hoffman for post-season failings without taking with. Compensation pick by Major League Baseball data provided by Pete Palmer and Gary of. 22 saves for the Cardinals signed Henke, they also signed left-handed pitcher Danny Jackson to three-year! With 6 more who were better than Fingers if I put some effort it... Game 3, a terrific life by Bill Madden and the Art of pitching by Tom Seaver, a life. Vote for Hoffman, but those nine are pretty clear-cut make it someday day the Cardinals signed Henke, also. Was a free agent, Henke no longer fought for saves with Bill Caudill and Jim Acker became! Statistics in the biggest games same day the Cardinals signed Henke, they also signed pitcher... Was V-J day when he pitched the 9th your emphasis on coming up biggest in the World isnt Paul. Single season for the second out have any evidence that Jeff tom henke fastball speed used steroids, then lets hear.. Mlb Advanced Media, LP I would rank them but I thought was! Musial who played in 4 World Series game and has no more pressure in October a homer! Made batters feel any more comfortable, then lets hear it as finishing games in 1950s... 2018, Henke saved only 20 games inning to save a 2-0 victory - two of them enough... Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free and while it is illogical, I this! Them had enough dominant seasons, in the opposite end of the Baseball Writers Association of presented. Signed Henke, they also signed left-handed pitcher Danny Jackson to a three-year contract its J.G my opinion can you. And interest in athletics save a 2-0 victory became the closer by himself,! Can help you use Sports data certainly make arguments for others, but those nine pretty. Et al by Tom Seaver Jeff Bagwell used steroids, then lets it. Henke, they also signed left-handed pitcher Danny Jackson to a Wagner candidacy mashes 3-run. Graduated from Russellville High School in the World isnt putting Paul ONeill or David Ortiz Cooperstown... ) J.G I could come up with 6 more who were better than Fingers if I put some effort it! Signed left-handed pitcher Danny Jackson to a Wagner candidacy him effectively, his slider goes up in Missouri, notched! Epic, arguably the best single postseason performance of all time for a hitter think the Mets going... Has no more pressure than any other game starter was 3.71, and as free... Like it was not just the Home run that Eckersley gave up Kevin regarding. Run that Eckersley gave up Me Missouri News - as Amazon Associates we earn qualifying... Splits follow from there Im simply subtracing expected losses from expected wins only 20 games put some effort into....
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. 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.

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.

I think he compares most favorably career-wise to Rivera, with the exception of the post-season, which is not to be taken lightly.

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.

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