Brad Hennessey
Encyclopedia
Brad Martin Hennessey is an American
professional baseball
pitcher
who is a free agent. He attended Whitmer High School.
in the first round (21st overall) of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft
out of Youngstown State University
.
After posting a 2.38 ERA
in nine Northwest League
starts, he was diagnosed with a non-cancerous tumor
in his back. He had it removed in February 2002, but it grew back later that season, putting him out for the rest of the season.
against Greg Maddux
, who was looking for his 300th win
. Although Hennessey lost the game and Maddux got his 300th win, the Giants were impressed with Hennessey's poise, and he made six more starts, finishing with a 2-2 record and 4.98 ERA.
, Hennessey pitched 7 shutout innings, striking out seven and allowing only three hits, and won the game 3-0. The three runs
came on a home run
by Hennessey himself on a 2-0 count from Brewers pitcher Victor Santos
. It was his first home run since playing shortstop
in his sophomore year at Youngstown State.
and the newly acquired Jamey Wright
, but struggled and began the season with the Triple-A
Fresno Grizzlies
. Hennessey was called up again in April due to an injury to Noah Lowry
and bullpen
ineffectiveness. After Lowry's return to the starting rotation, Hennessey was a reliable reliever and posted an ERA under 4.26.
by manager Bruce Bochy
after Armando Benitez
was traded to the Florida Marlins
. He did well in that role for a long while, at one point getting saves in 14 straight save opportunities, the most since Robb Nen
had a 28 straight streak in , and 17 out of 19, before losing it and getting only 2 out of 5 before Brian Wilson took over the closer role. In 2007, he went 4-5 and had a 3.42 ERA and 19 saves (out of 24) plus 13 holds
in 69 outings.
and agreed to a $1.6 million, one-year deal. He got sent down to the minors for pitcher Billy Sadler
in May, but was called back up when rosters expanded in September.
on November 17, 2008. On June 11, 2009 Hennessey was released.
and was assigned to the Oklahoma City RedHawks. On August 1, Hennessey was released by the Astros.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
who is a free agent. He attended Whitmer High School.
Professional career
Hennessey was drafted by the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
in the first round (21st overall) of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft
2001 Major League Baseball Draft
-First Round Selections:-Supplemental First Round Selections:-Background:The Minnesota Twins selected St. Paul, MN native Joe Mauer with the number one pick in the 2001 draft. The 18-year-old Mauer, a catcher from Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, became the seventh Minnesotan to be...
out of Youngstown State University
Youngstown State University
Youngstown State University, founded in 1908, is an urban research university located in Youngstown, Ohio, United States. As of fall 2010, there were 15,194 students and a student-faculty ratio of 19:1. It is recognized as being one of the premier schools in the country, comparable to Ivy League...
.
After posting a 2.38 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in nine Northwest League
Northwest League
The Northwest League of Professional Baseball is a Class A-Short Season minor baseball league. The league is the descendant of the Western International League which ran as a class B league from 1937-1951 and class A from 1952-1954...
starts, he was diagnosed with a non-cancerous tumor
Tumor
A tumor or tumour is commonly used as a synonym for a neoplasm that appears enlarged in size. Tumor is not synonymous with cancer...
in his back. He had it removed in February 2002, but it grew back later that season, putting him out for the rest of the season.
2004
After battling inconsistency in while building up arm strength, Hennessey found himself in the Major Leagues in , making his debut startingStarting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
against Greg Maddux
Greg Maddux
Gregory Alan Maddux , nicknamed "Mad Dog" and "The Professor", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the first pitcher in major league history to win the Cy Young Award for four consecutive years , a feat matched only by Randy Johnson...
, who was looking for his 300th win
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
. Although Hennessey lost the game and Maddux got his 300th win, the Giants were impressed with Hennessey's poise, and he made six more starts, finishing with a 2-2 record and 4.98 ERA.
2005
He was called up again in May , and ended up making 21 starts, tallying a 5-8 record and 4.64 ERA. Hennessey's 2005 campaign was marked with inconsistency, although it did include some rather promising outings. In one start against the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, Hennessey pitched 7 shutout innings, striking out seven and allowing only three hits, and won the game 3-0. The three runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
came on a home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
by Hennessey himself on a 2-0 count from Brewers pitcher Victor Santos
Víctor Santos
Víctor Irving Santos is a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. He currently is a free agent.-Early life:...
. It was his first home run since playing shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
in his sophomore year at Youngstown State.
2006
In , Hennessey competed for the team's fifth starting job with Kevin CorreiaKevin Correia
Kevin John Correia is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Early life:...
and the newly acquired Jamey Wright
Jamey Wright
Jamey Alan Wright is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-Career:...
, but struggled and began the season with the Triple-A
AAA (baseball)
Triple-A refers to the highest level of play in minor league baseball in the United States and Mexico.-Purpose:Triple-A teams' main purpose is to prepare players for the Major Leagues:...
Fresno Grizzlies
Fresno Grizzlies
The Fresno Grizzlies are a minor league baseball team based in Fresno, California. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League , is the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major league club. The Grizzlies play in Chukchansi Park , located in downtown Fresno and built in 2002...
. Hennessey was called up again in April due to an injury to Noah Lowry
Noah Lowry
Noah Ryan Lowry is a free agent left-handed starting pitcher formerly of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball.-College and the MLB Draft:...
and bullpen
Bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen is the area where relief pitchers warm-up before entering a game. Depending on the ballpark, it may be situated in foul territory along the baselines or just beyond the outfield fence. Also, a team's roster of relief pitchers is metonymically referred to as "the bullpen"...
ineffectiveness. After Lowry's return to the starting rotation, Hennessey was a reliable reliever and posted an ERA under 4.26.
2007
He pitched in increasingly more important situations for the bullpen during the season than he had in past seasons, reaching a zenith when he was named the closerCloser (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
by manager Bruce Bochy
Bruce Bochy
Bruce Douglas Bochy is the manager of the San Francisco Giants. Prior to joining the Giants, Bochy had been the manager of the San Diego Padres for twelve seasons. Bochy is the only former Padres player to serve as the team's manager. He has participated in all five postseason appearances in...
after Armando Benitez
Armando Benítez
Armando Germán Benítez is a relief pitcher who is currently a free agent.-Baltimore Orioles:...
was traded to the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
. He did well in that role for a long while, at one point getting saves in 14 straight save opportunities, the most since Robb Nen
Robb Nen
Robert Allen Nen is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher. He spent most of his career as a closer. He is the son of former major league first baseman Dick Nen. He currently works in the Giants' front office as a special assistant to General Manager Brian Sabean.Nen is best...
had a 28 straight streak in , and 17 out of 19, before losing it and getting only 2 out of 5 before Brian Wilson took over the closer role. In 2007, he went 4-5 and had a 3.42 ERA and 19 saves (out of 24) plus 13 holds
Hold (baseball)
A hold is awarded to a relief pitcher who meets the following three conditions:Unlike saves, wins, and losses, more than one pitcher per team can earn a hold for a game, though it is not possible for a pitcher to receive more than one hold in a given game...
in 69 outings.
2008
The Giants and Hennessey avoided arbitrationMajor League Baseball transactions
Major League Baseball transactions are changes made to the roster of a major league team during or after the season. They may include waiving, releasing, and trading players, as well as assigning players to minor league teams.-25-man and 40-man rosters:...
and agreed to a $1.6 million, one-year deal. He got sent down to the minors for pitcher Billy Sadler
Billy Sadler
William Henry "Billy" Sadler IV is a right-handed relief pitcher who is currently a free agent...
in May, but was called back up when rosters expanded in September.
2009
Hennessey signed a minor league deal with the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
on November 17, 2008. On June 11, 2009 Hennessey was released.
2011
On June 2, Hennessey signed a minor league contract with the Houston AstrosHouston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
and was assigned to the Oklahoma City RedHawks. On August 1, Hennessey was released by the Astros.