Mark Hendrickson
Encyclopedia
Mark Allan Hendrickson (born June 23, 1974) is an American
Major League Baseball
pitcher
who currently plays for the Baltimore Orioles
. Hendrickson is also a retired National Basketball Association
power forward
who played 114 NBA games before becoming a pitcher full-time. He is one of just 12 athletes to play in both MLB and the NBA.
Hendrickson is notable for his size, at 6' 9". The only players in Major League Baseball as of 2010 who are taller than Hendrickson are Jon Rauch
, at 6'11", and Chris Young
, at 6'10". Hendrickson is a groundball pitcher, with a fastball in the high 80s and a decent 12–6 curveball
. Hendrickson also has a 10–4 slider, but his slider only reaches the high 70s to low 80s. Thus, when Hendrickson has success, it is due to control, movement, and location and not power.
in the state of Washington. During his sophomore year, he was a member of the state championship baseball team and the runner-up state basketball team. He was a member of the state championship basketball team during his junior year, where he earned recognition as the co-MVP of the tournament for his play. He was also named team captain, team MVP, and named to the All-Area and All-State teams. A tennis state qualifier, Hendrickson was also named to the baseball All-Area team.
As a senior, Hendrickson led the Bulldogs to a second basketball championship. He was team captain, team MVP, All-Area, All-State, and the state basketball tournament MVP. For his performance on the basketball court, he was named the Gatorade State Player of the Year. In addition to his remarkable basketball play, he was able to help his team win the state championship in baseball, while also qualifying for state in tennis. He was named the Skagit Valley Herald Athlete of the Year both his junior and senior years.
and baseball at Washington State University
.
In basketball he was a two-time selection to the All-Pac-10 Conference first team and he ranks second in Washington State history in rebounds. He averaged 13.9 points per game and 8.6 rebounds per game during his four years at Washington State. He was also selected to All-Conference teams in baseball.
draft by the Atlanta Braves
, but chose to attend college instead. He was also drafted, but did not sign, by the San Diego Padres
in the 21st round of the 1993
draft, by the Atlanta Braves
again in the 32nd round of the 1994
draft, by the Detroit Tigers
in the 16th round of the 1995
draft, and by the Texas Rangers
in the 19th round of the 1996
draft.
Upon his college graduation he was selected by the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers
(2nd pick, 2nd round, 31st overall) of the 1996
draft and MLB's Toronto Blue Jays
(20th round) of the 1997 Draft
.
, playing part-time in 29 games in the 1996–97 NBA season, averaging 2.9 points and 3.2 rebounds in 10.4 minutes per game. He signed as a free agent
with the Sacramento Kings
on December 23, 1997, appearing in 48 games, averaging 15.4 minutes, 3.4 points and 3.0 rebounds as a reserve player.
Unsigned by the NBA prior to the 1998 season, he signed with the CBA
La Crosse Bobcats
where he played most of the season. He was picked up by the New Jersey Nets
for a couple of brief stints during the 1998–99 and 1999–2000 seasons and by the Cleveland Cavaliers
for 1999–2000 season. Frustrated by his inability to get more consistent work, he decided to give up on basketball and concentrate on baseball.
His final NBA career numbers were 114 games played, 8 starts, 1,508 minutes played, 316 rebounds, 15 blocks and 381 points scored.
) while he was playing basketball and eventually signed with the Blue Jays on May 22, 1998, electing to play minor league baseball during the summer while continuing his basketball career. During this period, he pitched for the Blue Jays Single-A affiliate in Dunedin
in 1998 (4–3, 2.37 ERA
, 16 games, 5 starts
) and the Double-A Smokies in 1999 (2–7, 6.63 ERA, 12 games, 11 starts).
In 2000, after abandoning basketball and turning to baseball full-time, he had to refocus his energies on his baseball career. "I was always around baseball," he commented, "but what a lot of people don't realize, and what I didn't realize is that I didn't put in the time and dedication into knowing how to get my arm into shape, how to take care of it, and how to pitch on a regular basis."
He started off the 2000 season back at Dunedin (2–2, 5.61 ERA, 12 starts, 1 CG
), but was promoted to the Double-A Tennessee Smokies
(3–1, 3.63 ERA, 6 starts). He spent the next two seasons with the Triple-A SkyChiefs (2–9, 4.66 ERA, 38 games, 6 starts in 2001; 7–5, 3.52 ERA, 14 starts in 2002).
as a reliever
. It was a rather bleak first appearance. He worked 1/3 of an inning and allowed 5 runs
. The Jays stuck with him and he made his first career start on September 7 against the Boston Red Sox
, pitching 5 scoreless innings in a game the Jays lost 4–1. His first victory
came in his next start, on September 14 against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
, when he worked six innings, allowed one run and the Jays won 8–4.
He returned to the rotation at the start of the 2003 season and stayed there all year, accumulating a 9–9 record with a 5.51 ERA in 30 starts, with one complete game shutout
. Hendrickson is the only pitcher in Toronto Blue Jays history to hit a home run
, which he did against the Montreal Expos
on June 22, 2003.
for Justin Speier
. The Rockies immediately flipped him to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for Joe Kennedy. He became a regular member of the Devil Rays' rotation, accumulating records of 10–15 (4.81 ERA) in 2004, 11–8 (5.90 ERA) in 2005, and 4–8 (3.81 ERA) in the first half of 2006.
on June 27, 2006, along with catcher Toby Hall
in exchange for Dioner Navarro
, Jae Weong Seo
and minor league outfielder
Justin Ruggiano
. He immediately joined the Dodgers' starting rotation, but ineffectiveness caused him to be moved to the bullpen
for the end of the season, where he was more effective. His final 2006 numbers with the Dodgers were 2–7, 4.68 ERA in 18 appearances, 12 as a starter. In 2007, he was both a starter and a reliever for the Dodgers, showing more effectiveness out of the bullpen. Hendrickson was not offered a contract by the Dodgers and became a free agent on December 12, 2007.
On January 16, 2008, Hendrickson signed a one-year, $1.5 million dollar contract with the Florida Marlins. On June 9, 2008, Ken Griffey Jr. hit the 600th home run of his career off a fastball
thrown by Hendrickson in the 1st inning of a 9–4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds
.
On July 7, the Marlins announced that Hendrickson, along with Ryan Tucker
, would be moved to the bullpen to make room in the rotation for Josh Johnson and Chris Volstad
.
. He was resigned for the 2010 season. While with the Orioles, Hendrickson was mostly a relief pitcher, but he made a few starts. The Orioles declined his option for the 2011 season, making him a free agent. However, he later agreed to a minor league deal with the Orioles. This deal included an invitation to big league spring training.
, a curveball
, a changeup
, as well as a cutter
. His fastball varies from 87-91 MPH. Hendrickson's curveball has little movement, and sits around 71-76 MPH. His changeup causes problems for Hendrickson, as the 82-84 MPH velocity does not differ enough from his fastball. Hendrickson's cutter is his best pitch and it sits around 82-87 MPH.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
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 currently plays for the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore 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...
. Hendrickson is also a retired National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
power forward
Power forward (basketball)
Power forward is a position in the sport of basketball. The position is referred to in playbook terms as the four position and is commonly abbreviated "PF". It has also been referred to as the "post" position. Power forwards play a role similar to that of center in what is called the "post" or "low...
who played 114 NBA games before becoming a pitcher full-time. He is one of just 12 athletes to play in both MLB and the NBA.
Hendrickson is notable for his size, at 6' 9". The only players in Major League Baseball as of 2010 who are taller than Hendrickson are Jon Rauch
Jon Rauch
Jon Erich Rauch is a right-handed relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. At 6' 11" , he is the tallest player in Major League Baseball history. He is also an Olympic Gold Medalist.-Early years:...
, at 6'11", and Chris Young
Chris Young (baseball starting pitcher)
Christopher Ryan Young is an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He made his major league debut on August 24, 2004, for the Texas Rangers...
, at 6'10". Hendrickson is a groundball pitcher, with a fastball in the high 80s and a decent 12–6 curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
. Hendrickson also has a 10–4 slider, but his slider only reaches the high 70s to low 80s. Thus, when Hendrickson has success, it is due to control, movement, and location and not power.
High school career
Hendrickson was a three-sport standout in tennis, basketball, and baseball at Mount Vernon High SchoolMount Vernon High School (Washington)
Mount Vernon High School is a high school in Mount Vernon, Washington located at 314 North 9th Street.- External links :* Mount Vernon High School Website...
in the state of Washington. During his sophomore year, he was a member of the state championship baseball team and the runner-up state basketball team. He was a member of the state championship basketball team during his junior year, where he earned recognition as the co-MVP of the tournament for his play. He was also named team captain, team MVP, and named to the All-Area and All-State teams. A tennis state qualifier, Hendrickson was also named to the baseball All-Area team.
As a senior, Hendrickson led the Bulldogs to a second basketball championship. He was team captain, team MVP, All-Area, All-State, and the state basketball tournament MVP. For his performance on the basketball court, he was named the Gatorade State Player of the Year. In addition to his remarkable basketball play, he was able to help his team win the state championship in baseball, while also qualifying for state in tennis. He was named the Skagit Valley Herald Athlete of the Year both his junior and senior years.
College career
Hendrickson starred in both basketballWashington State Cougars men's basketball
The Washington State Cougars Men's Basketball team represents Washington State University and competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of NCAA Division I...
and baseball at Washington State University
Washington State University
Washington State University is a public research university based in Pullman, Washington, in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 1890, WSU is the state's original and largest land-grant university...
.
In basketball he was a two-time selection to the All-Pac-10 Conference first team and he ranks second in Washington State history in rebounds. He averaged 13.9 points per game and 8.6 rebounds per game during his four years at Washington State. He was also selected to All-Conference teams in baseball.
NBA and MLB drafts
The first time Hendrickson was drafted by a baseball team was right after high school when he was selected in the 13th round of the 19921992 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1992 Major League Baseball draft.-Other notable players:*Raúl Ibáñez, 36th round, Seattle Mariners...
draft by the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
, but chose to attend college instead. He was also drafted, but did not sign, by the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
in the 21st round of the 1993
1993 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1993 Major League Baseball draft.-Compensation picks:-Other notable players:*Scott Rolen was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2nd round of the 1993 amateur draft....
draft, by the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
again in the 32nd round of the 1994
1994 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1994 Major League Baseball draft.-Compensation picks:-Other notable players:*A.J. Pierzynski , Minnesota Twins, 3rd round*Bobby Howry , San Francisco Giants, 5th round...
draft, by the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
in the 16th round of the 1995
1995 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1995 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign-Background:Outfielder Darin Erstad of the University of Nebraska was the first pick in the 1995 Rule 4 Draft. Erstad compiled a career .356 average in three seasons with the...
draft, and by the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
in the 19th round of the 1996
1996 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1996 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 4 and 5, 1996...
draft.
Upon his college graduation he was selected by the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
(2nd pick, 2nd round, 31st overall) of the 1996
1996 NBA Draft
The 1996 NBA Draft was the 50th draft in the National Basketball Association . It was held on June 26, 1996 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The draft was broadcast in the United States on the Turner Network Television...
draft and MLB's Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
(20th round) of the 1997 Draft
1997 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1997 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1997...
.
NBA career
Hendrickson elected to play basketball and joined the Philadelphia 76ersPhiladelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
, playing part-time in 29 games in the 1996–97 NBA season, averaging 2.9 points and 3.2 rebounds in 10.4 minutes per game. He signed as a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
with the Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
on December 23, 1997, appearing in 48 games, averaging 15.4 minutes, 3.4 points and 3.0 rebounds as a reserve player.
Unsigned by the NBA prior to the 1998 season, he signed with the CBA
Continental Basketball Association
The Continental Basketball Association was a professional men's basketball league in the United States, which has been on hiatus since the 2009 season.- History :...
La Crosse Bobcats
La Crosse Bobcats
The La Crosse Bobcats were a Continental Basketball Association basketball team located in La Crosse, Wisconsin from 1996 to the league's bankruptcy in February 2001. The Bobcats were the second CBA team located in La Crosse; previously, the La Crosse Catbirds played from 1985 to 1994...
where he played most of the season. He was picked up by the New Jersey Nets
New Jersey Nets
The New Jersey Nets are a professional basketball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
for a couple of brief stints during the 1998–99 and 1999–2000 seasons and by the Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association in 1970 as an expansion team...
for 1999–2000 season. Frustrated by his inability to get more consistent work, he decided to give up on basketball and concentrate on baseball.
His final NBA career numbers were 114 games played, 8 starts, 1,508 minutes played, 316 rebounds, 15 blocks and 381 points scored.
Minor league baseball career
He continued to play semi-pro baseball in the offseason (in York, PennsylvaniaYork, Pennsylvania
York, known as the White Rose City , is a city located in York County, Pennsylvania, United States which is in the South Central region of the state. The population within the city limits was 43,718 at the 2010 census, which was a 7.0% increase from the 2000 count of 40,862...
) while he was playing basketball and eventually signed with the Blue Jays on May 22, 1998, electing to play minor league baseball during the summer while continuing his basketball career. During this period, he pitched for the Blue Jays Single-A affiliate in Dunedin
Dunedin Blue Jays
The Dunedin Blue Jays are a minor league baseball team based in Dunedin, Florida. They play in the Florida State League, and are the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays Major League Baseball club...
in 1998 (4–3, 2.37 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...
, 16 games, 5 starts
Starting 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....
) and the Double-A Smokies in 1999 (2–7, 6.63 ERA, 12 games, 11 starts).
In 2000, after abandoning basketball and turning to baseball full-time, he had to refocus his energies on his baseball career. "I was always around baseball," he commented, "but what a lot of people don't realize, and what I didn't realize is that I didn't put in the time and dedication into knowing how to get my arm into shape, how to take care of it, and how to pitch on a regular basis."
He started off the 2000 season back at Dunedin (2–2, 5.61 ERA, 12 starts, 1 CG
Complete game
In baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
), but was promoted to the Double-A Tennessee Smokies
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies are a Minor League Baseball team based in the Knoxville, Tennessee metropolitan area. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball as of the 2011 season...
(3–1, 3.63 ERA, 6 starts). He spent the next two seasons with the Triple-A SkyChiefs (2–9, 4.66 ERA, 38 games, 6 starts in 2001; 7–5, 3.52 ERA, 14 starts in 2002).
Toronto Blue Jays
Hendrickson made his major league debut for the Blue Jays on August 6, 2002, against the Seattle Mariners2002 Seattle Mariners season
The Seattle Mariners 2002 season was their 26th since the franchise creation, and ended the season finishing 3rd in the American League West, finishing with a record of 93-69.-Offseason:...
as a reliever
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
. It was a rather bleak first appearance. He worked 1/3 of an inning and allowed 5 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...
. The Jays stuck with him and he made his first career start on September 7 against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, pitching 5 scoreless innings in a game the Jays lost 4–1. His first victory
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...
came in his next start, on September 14 against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
2002 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season
The 2002 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season was their 5th since the franchise was created. This season, they finished last in the AL East division, and managed to finish the season with a record of 55-106...
, when he worked six innings, allowed one run and the Jays won 8–4.
He returned to the rotation at the start of the 2003 season and stayed there all year, accumulating a 9–9 record with a 5.51 ERA in 30 starts, with one complete game shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
. Hendrickson is the only pitcher in Toronto Blue Jays history to hit 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...
, which he did against the Montreal Expos
2003 Montreal Expos season
-Regular season:*June 24, 2003 - Brad Wilkerson hit for the cycle in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.*August 26, 2003 - The Expos rallied from being down 8-0 and 10-3 to claim a 14-10 win against the Philadelphia Phillies and be within two games of the National League Wild Card...
on June 22, 2003.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
On December 14, 2003, he was traded by the Blue Jays along with Sandy Nin to the Colorado RockiesColorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
for Justin Speier
Justin Speier
Justin James Speier is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He attended Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, Arizona. Upon graduation from Brophy Prep, Speier attended the University of San Francisco where he played catcher for the Dons. He also attended...
. The Rockies immediately flipped him to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for Joe Kennedy. He became a regular member of the Devil Rays' rotation, accumulating records of 10–15 (4.81 ERA) in 2004, 11–8 (5.90 ERA) in 2005, and 4–8 (3.81 ERA) in the first half of 2006.
Los Angeles Dodgers
He was traded to the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
on June 27, 2006, along with catcher Toby Hall
Toby Hall
Toby Jason Hall is a Major League Baseball catcher who is currently with the Camden Riversharks in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball....
in exchange for Dioner Navarro
Dioner Navarro
Dioner Favian Navarro Vivas is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher, who is a free agent.-New York Yankees:In 2000, Navarro was signed by the New York Yankees as an amateur free agent...
, Jae Weong Seo
Jae Weong Seo
Jae Weong Seo , usually referred to as simply Jae Seo and pronounced "Jay So", is a Korean professional baseball player...
and minor league outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
Justin Ruggiano
Justin Ruggiano
Justin Marshall Ruggiano is a Major League Baseball outfielder in the Tampa Bay Rays organization.-Baseball career:Ruggiano played college baseball at Texas A&M....
. He immediately joined the Dodgers' starting rotation, but ineffectiveness caused him to be moved to the 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"...
for the end of the season, where he was more effective. His final 2006 numbers with the Dodgers were 2–7, 4.68 ERA in 18 appearances, 12 as a starter. In 2007, he was both a starter and a reliever for the Dodgers, showing more effectiveness out of the bullpen. Hendrickson was not offered a contract by the Dodgers and became a free agent on December 12, 2007.
Florida Marlins
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
thrown by Hendrickson in the 1st inning of a 9–4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds
2008 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds' 2008 season was their 127th in total and their sixth in their present home park, Great American Ball Park. The Reds play in the National League's central division; their divisional foes are the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, Houston Astros, and Pittsburgh...
.
On July 7, the Marlins announced that Hendrickson, along with Ryan Tucker
Ryan Tucker (baseball)
Ryan C. Tucker is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization....
, would be moved to the bullpen to make room in the rotation for Josh Johnson and Chris Volstad
Chris Volstad
Christopher Kenneth Volstad is a right-handed pitcher for the Miami Marlins. He is 6 foot 8 inches and 225 pounds, and is a 2005 graduate of Palm Beach Gardens High School....
.
Baltimore Orioles
On December 31, 2008, Hendrickson signed a one-year deal for the 2009 season 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...
. He was resigned for the 2010 season. While with the Orioles, Hendrickson was mostly a relief pitcher, but he made a few starts. The Orioles declined his option for the 2011 season, making him a free agent. However, he later agreed to a minor league deal with the Orioles. This deal included an invitation to big league spring training.
Pitching style
Hendrickson throws four pitches: a four-seam fastballFour-seam fastball
A four-seam fastball, also called a rising fastball, a four-seamer, or a cross-seam fastball, is a pitch in baseball. It is a member of the fastball family...
, a curveball
Curveball
The curveball is a type of pitch in baseball thrown with a characteristic grip and hand movement that imparts forward spin to the ball causing it to dive in a downward path as it approaches the plate. Its close relatives are the slider and the slurve. The "curve" of the ball varies from pitcher to...
, a changeup
Changeup
A changeup is a type of pitch in baseball. Other names include change-of-pace, Bugs Bunny change-up, the dreaded equalizer, and simply change. The changeup is sometimes called an off-speed pitch, although that term can also be used simply to mean any pitch that is slower than a fastball...
, as well as a cutter
Cutter (baseball)
In baseball, a cutter, or cut fastball, is a type of fastball which breaks slightly toward the pitcher's glove side as it reaches home plate. This pitch is somewhere between a slider and a fastball, as it is usually thrown faster than a slider but with more motion than a typical fastball. Some...
. His fastball varies from 87-91 MPH. Hendrickson's curveball has little movement, and sits around 71-76 MPH. His changeup causes problems for Hendrickson, as the 82-84 MPH velocity does not differ enough from his fastball. Hendrickson's cutter is his best pitch and it sits around 82-87 MPH.
External links
- Basketball-Reference.com - career statistics and analysis