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These pages are dedicated to my favorite baseball player, the Toronto Blue Jays pitcher, #41, Pat Hentgen.   Pat's competitiveness, skills and determination have made him one of the best pitchers in the league!   And if you have ever been fortunate enough to meet Pat in person, you know he is one of the nicest players or persons you would ever want to meet!! Thanks Pat for all the great baseball!! ...and everything else. If you have any comments or suggestions kindly send me an email.

Blue Jay Years Pat arrives at Dunedin early for Spring training Nov. 11, 1999    Hentgen traded to the St. Louis Cardinals! In another strange move that the Blue Jays brass will eventually come to regret, in what only be described as a salary dumping, the Toronto Blue Jays put an end to the endless rumours and have traded pitchers Pat Hentgen and Paul Spoljaric to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for left-handed reliever Lance Painter, catcher Alberto Castillo and minor-league pitcher Matt DeWitt. Hentgen, who will earn $6.6 million US in the 2000 season, was 11-12 with a 4.79 earned-run average in 1999, ranking him third highest among Toronto's starters. In his 34 starts, Hentgen tossed 199 innings, allowing 225 hits while walking 65 and striking out 118. We can only assume that the Jays' brass felt that Pat's best days were behind him and that Hentgen didn't have any more 15+ win season's left in him. Like all of us fans, the Cards' brass feel different. With a full off season and spring training to get ready it's a certainy that Pat will terrorize the National League's batters and be among the league's top pitchers. Toronto Star 11/12/99: Farewell to arms Toronto Star 11/12/99: Jays dump Hentgen, save $5 million Toronto Star 11/12/99: The decline and fall of the Blue Jays empire Toronto Sun 11/12/99: Next start: St. Louis Toronto Sun 11/12/99: A class act is dismissed Toronto Sun 11/12/99: Hentgen deal adds to dismay Associated Press 11/12/99: For the birds: Hentgen goes to Cardinals Detroit Free Press 11/12/99: Cards beat Tigers to Jays' Hentgen What Pat had to say ... mp3 (145Kb) What Pat had to say ... mp3 (637Kb) "We are extremely pleased to have acquired a pitcher with the credentials and demeanor that Pat Hentgen possesses, He's a tough, fiery competitor who has established himself as a proven winner and a real workhorse when it comes to pitching."       -- Cardinals Vice President/General Manager Walt Jocketty "I was a 17-year-old punk when I came to the organization and they taught me how to play, I have three all-star rings and two World Series rings. I felt really fortunate to have played in Toronto."       -- Blue Jays pitcher Pat Hentgen Who got the best deal in the trade? The Toronto Blue Jays The St. Louis Cardinals The Fans Even Deal [View trade survey results] The Toronto Sun's Mike Zeisberger relates moment #72 of Toronto's Top 100 sporting moments. During the 1996 American League championship series between the New York Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles, a press-box wag leaned over to a Toronto reporter and offered his two cents about the Cy Young Award. He thought that Andy Pettitte was the obvious choice for the award. Read what Mike has to say about that comment and what Pat thoughts are a few years later. Toronto Sun 10/20/99: New York out of step with baseball reality "The only way it really has changed my life is that now, whenever they announce me to the fans at a banquet or a function, it's always 'Cy Young winner Pat Hentgen'"       -- Blue Jays pitcher Pat Hentgen Still dealing with the loss of the best pitching coach he ever had, Pat was caught off-guard by the Jays' announcement that Cito Gaston would return next year as the team's batting coach. Still Pat was willing to welcome back Gaston. Hentgen played for Gaston from 1992-97. "I think it's great, I've always been a big Cito fan. He's a great manager. This team always has brought back people. You look at Tony Fernandez and Boomer (David Wells), Paul Spoljaric, the list goes on."       -- Blue Jays pitcher Pat Hentgen [from the Toronto Sun 10/14/99: Hentgen puts out welcome wagon, by Mike Ganter] There is plenty of speculation in the Toronto media that Pat will be moved in the off season to free up some cash for the Jays to sign Shawn Green and Carlos Delgado to long term deals. While Pat might of had an off season this year, with a chance to get back in his regular routine to prepare for spring training, We know that Hentgen will be back next year in top form. Let's all remind the Blue Jays organization why they should keep Pat .... "He has been a great pitcher here, He has battled all year long. (Yesterday) he battled. He did his job."       -- Blue Jays manager Jim Fregosi on Pat's Sept 26th start Pat's been one of the best players ever to wear a Jays' uniform!! He's a great influence on the rest of the pitching staff, a leader by example and a fierce competitor!! How can the Jays organization reward the loyality Pat's demonstrated by getting rid of him just because he had a "non-Hentgen-like" season coming off an injury?? Pat's one of the best bargains in baseball and is irreplacable for any price! Have a look at the following great articles .... Toronto Sun 09/27/99: Hentgen should have fared better in final home start Toronto Star 09/27/99: Hentgen battles to bitter end Toronto Sun 09/27/99: Fletcher fumes as Jays fade away Toronto Sun 09/28/99: Emotional Pat on the back With the closing of Tiger Stadium, Pat goes to the Tiger Stadium mound for the last time. Here's a great article about some of Pat's thoughts and memories by Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun. "As far as the game goes (tonight), everything is going to stay the same, but there's no question it's going to be special,"       -- Blue Jays pitcher Pat Hentgen Toronto Sun 09/10/99: Hentgen looks back fondly A great article about Pat by Geoff Baker of the Toronto Star. "Of course I'm not happy with how I've played, I've got 20 wins in two seasons. That's not where I should be at."       -- Blue Jays pitcher Pat Hentgen Toronto Star 08/30/99: Mound of trouble Fregosi decides to shuffle his starters! Pat's next start is moved from Oakland to Anaheim. Apparantly someone never mentioned it to Pat, who once again found out from the media. While Pat says he's disappointed and would like to take his regular turn in Oakland, being the team player he is, he's not about to complain. "I'm just going to go with the flow," Hentgen said. "I don't have a problem with it and I think you guys (the media) are making too big a deal out of this."       -- Blue Jays pitcher Pat Hentgen Toronto Star 08/21/99: Shuffle is right, but Hentgen deserves better Toronto Sun 08/21/99: Hentgen not happy Pat Hentgen clears waivers!!   Would Gord Ash trade Pat as the August 31st deadline approaches? All of us Hentgen fans know that the best thing is for Pat to remain in a Blue Jays' uniform! Pat could easily have three or four more victories if not for blown saves and a lack of offense. There's more to come! "Hey, if it happens, it happens," Hentgen said of a possible trade. "That's the first I've heard of it. I don't know where it even came from. I mean, in spring training the newspapers had me going to Anaheim for Garret Anderson. So who really knows? It didn't bother me."       -- Blue Jays pitcher Pat Hentgen While Gord Ash would not comment specifically about Pat, he did say "90% of all major-league players are passed through the process at one time or another. It is not unusual at this time of the year. It's no big deal." From Blue Jays Watch - Toronto Sun, August 17, 1999 Pat was the subject of many trade rumours as the July 31st deadline approached. But Pat was still in his #41 Blue Jays' uniform on August 1st when he pitched his best game of the season! All of us Hentgen fans knew the smart move was to kept Pat in Toronto! There lots of "good stuff" left yet!! "I thought Pat had the best fastball he has had all year long,"       -- Blue Jays manager Jim Fregosi Toronto Sun 08/01/99: Hentgen fans the flames Pat gets his 100th career victory with a 6-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Congratulations and well done!! Toronto Star 07/05/99: Hentgen nabs 100th win Toronto Sun 07/05/99: Bubbling with confidence By MIKE GANTER -- Toronto Sun  /   PITCHING CHANGE: Pat Hentgen will not pitch on Monday as originally scheduled. The Blue Jays right-hander instead will throw on the side Saturday, and if all goes well will make his start Tuesday. Manager Jim Fregosi is concerned that Hentgen's right biceps, hit by a ball off the bat of Roberto Alomar on Wednesday, could still be a problem. If Hentgen has problems throwing on the side Saturday, Fregosi said he will have Roy Halladay pitch Tuesday. Hentgen's spot Monday will be filled by Chris Carpenter. Pat gets hit in the right bicep by a Roberto Alomar line drive. Pats' status is day to day, although he is not expected to miss his start on Monday. Richard Griffin from the Toronto Star writes another great article... Toronto Star 06/24/99: Hentgen's painful lesson Toronto Sun 06/24/99: Blue Jays take a beating Pat being a Detroit area native has many memories of Tiger Stadium. On the second last Blue Jay visit, Richard Griffin from the Toronto Star relates Pat's sentiments and favourite moments with this great article... Toronto Star 05/26/99: Hentgen soaks up memories Next year the Tigers will play at the new Comerica Park. Pat had a royal performance on the mound Thursday afternoon as he led the Jays to an 8-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals. Pat lasted 6 1/3 innings, with Hentgen retiring 14 batters in a row at one point. While Pat did not have his full arsenal working, the curve and the fastball were hitting the target. He gave up six hits and two runs, allowing two walks and striking out four. The offense gave Pat an early 5 run lead and the defense made some great grabs. Anyone still skeptical about Pat's pitching?? "You have to make adjustments and you have to know how to pitch - see what is working on that given day." - Blue Jays pitcher Pat Hentgen Toronto Star 05/14/99: Hentgen's Royal return Toronto Sun 05/14/99: Hentgen can hack it Pat picked up where he left off in Anaheim, pitching a masterful 7 1/3 innings against the Mariners. Surely even Pat's sceptics are believers after this performance! Hentgen located all pitches, tossing 119, locating 74 of them for strikes. Hentgen was pleased with his outing, enjoying be able to keep his team in the game while he's on the mound. Pat left with a 2-1 lead, but the bullpen let it slip away in the Seattle ninth. "Pat battled his butt off, It's a shame we couldn't save it for him. We have not been successful at closing out games." - Blue Jays manager Jim Fregosi Toronto Star 05/03/99: Hentgen hurtin' after battle Toronto Sun 05/03/99: Bullpen blows it for Hentgen Pat helped to silence a few of his critics with a sparkling performance against the Angels. Hentgen showed signs of his 96 Cy form as he managed to hit most of his spots. Tossing 88 pitches, Pat located 52 of them in the strike zone. Pat yielded only three hits over seven scoreless innings, walking two and striking out two. "I've said all along that if I can spot my fastball, I'll be effective, It has been that way through my entire career." - Blue Jays pitcher Pat Hentgen All us Hentgen fans knew is was just a matter of time before Pat's control returned to its usual form! Any doubters?? Toronto Sun 04/28/99: Hentgen slams door on Angels and critics Toronto Star 04/28/99: Hentgen halts bad skid Toronto Sun 04/28/99: Hentgen is back. Almost Pat heard the rumours from other players, he knows that he has not pitched his best. Pat says that he's just not locating his pitches, especially his fastball. The shoulder problems are behind him. All Pat needs is a few more innings under his belt. His shoulder problems did force him to miss his normal pre-season throwing, making Pat a little behind his normal pace. The old pitching form will return!! "The fact is, I'm pain free. I'm fine. I'm just not locating my fastball. Whenever I don't do that, I've never been successful." "Frustrating isn't the word. It's humiliating. I'm embarrassed. To go this long, including spring training and to have not pitched well yet, it gets to you." - Blue Jays pitcher Pat Hentgen All us Hentgen fans know that Pat will pick it up notches unknown to mankind! If we look at other Blue Jay pitchers from last season, one lost their first few games, only to win the next several. The season is young and Pat's just getting warmed up!!! Toronto Sun 04/27/99: Hentgen: Let me pitch Pat makes no excuses! He knows that he has had some rough starts to his last couple of games. "As starters we can all pick it up a notch. Myself, I need to pick it up. I'd like to pitch like I did in '96 (his Cy Young year). It's frustrating for me." - Blue Jays pitcher Pat Hentgen Toronto Sun 04/17/99: Hentgen having problems Despite allowing five runs and eight hits over five innings, Pat was the winner of his last spring training start, an 11-8 victory over the Devil Rays. Pat k'ed 4 batters. Pat's next mound appearance is his Opening Night start Tuesday at Minnesota. Pat pitched a solid 6 innings of great baseball, regaining his mastery of Motown vs. the Detroit Tigers. Jim Fregosi stated that Pat threw well and he still had gas left in the tank. A great article about Pat Hentgen from the Toronto Sun. Ken Fidlin hits the nail on the head. Toronto Sun 03/23/99: Hentgen - The Last Word Pat Hentgen selected by Jim Fregosi to be the opening day starter. As a result of coming off shoulder tendinitis, Pat only started throwing when he arrived at spring training this year, about five weeks behind his normal routine. However, Pat's been demonstrating that the tendinitis seems to be behind him and while not back to Cy Young form yet, He'll be ready to take the ball opening day. Pat is locating his pitches better and his velocity is improving each time out. "I'm excited," Hentgen said. "It certainly is an honour. I've never really considered it that much of a big deal, though. I mean, it doesn't matter where you line up as a starter because everyone in the rotation will get their 35 starts." "My arm strength is building up," Hentgen said. "Each time out it's getting better."    - Blue Jays pitcher Pat Hentgen Pat Hentgen pitches again, and continues to throw pain free!! "The important thing is, I was pain-free again for five innings," Pat said after allowing three runs on four hits. "I still think that my endurance - I'm working on it - is getting better each time. That's what spring training is for."    - Blue Jays pitcher Pat Hentgen Toronto Sun 03/14/99: Hentgen impresses, too Toronto Star 03/14/99: Jays come up aces Pat Hentgen throws his first spring outing pain free!!   Pat and pitching coach Mel Queen were both pleased with Pat's results.   Pat tossed all his pitches over his 2 and 2/3's innings.   There's still lots of time for Pat to regain his Cy Young form, It's only his first appearance!! "I felt fine, pain free, The results weren't there but I spotted my fastball better than I thought. The main thing is my shoulder feels real good."    - Blue Jays pitcher Pat Hentgen Toronto Sun 03/09/99: Bush-league way to learn Toronto Star 03/09/99: Hentgen's shoulder passes first test Pat Hentgen takes to the spring training mound today for his first game action since Sept 10th vs. the Yankees.  This is the next step on Pat's injury recovery.   Pat Hentgen stuggled today for the Jays, allowing four runs, seven hits and a walk over 2 2/3 innings. "I don't think I'll be holding anything back," Hentgen said. "I'm going to go out and try to throw free and easy and pain-free. I don't expect to be sharp. The main thing for me is to come out pain-free."    - Blue Jays pitcher Pat Hentgen Toronto Sun 03/08/99: Tough test for Hentgen Pat Hentgen had a few things to say about what people are saying about his slow start to spring training.   Us fans know you'll be ready take the ball when the time comes! "I pitched 177 innings last year. If I don't miss four starts, I pitch over 200 innings.    I won 12 games.   That's a good year to some guys.   But it's not a good year in my eyes.    It's a bad year." - Blue Jays pitcher Pat Hentgen Toronto Star: Hentgen - No Way Out Pat Hentgen returned to the mound yesterday morning.   While Pat was throwing only batting practice, he was pleased with his performance.   Hentgen had many supporters including Dave Stewart, but there were also a couple of sceptics. Toronto Sun: Hentgen finally zips it in there Toronto Star: Hentgen `right on schedule' Reports that Pat Hentgen is having problems with his velocity are greatly exaggerated.  Pat had this to say in the Toronto Sun on 02/24/99. "I don't know where that started," Hentgen said yesterday. "I'm only throwing at about 75% so I don't know what they're talking about.  All I know is they didn't have to 'scope the shoulder (Hentgen was shut down in September with shoulder tendinitis) and so far I'm having no problems. There's no pain and I'm fine." Pat Hentgen was riding a bus from the Magic Kingdom to his hotel when he heard the news about Roger Clemens trade to the New York Yankees.   Pat has made his feelings regarding Roger's requests know.   Pat had this to say in the Toronto Sun on 02/21/99. Toronto Sun: Hentgen appreciates the Rocket's talent Pat continues to work out in Florida!   The '96 Cy Young winner says the tendinitis in his right shoulder which plagued him for the second half of the 1998 season and played a big role in his uncharacteristically high ERA of 5.17 seems to be behind him.   "Right now, my right arm is as strong as it has ever been in my career," Hentgen said yesterday in an article in the Toronto Sun. That's got to be music to the Blue Jays who still aren't sure if they'll have Roger Clemens in the rotation come opening day.   With a healthy Hentgen and Clemens, the Jays' starting five compares favourably with the rotation of the World Series-champion New York Yankees. Toronto Sun: Winter workouts help for Hentgen Pat speaks out on Roger Clemens request for a trade! "(Roger) has come out and said he wants to play for a contender and be closer to home," said Hentgen, the last AL winner of a Cy not named Clemens.   "Basically, he's sending a message to 24 guys on this team that we can't be contenders. I take that personally." Pat knows that there is no "I" in team!   An admirable trait amongst today's pro athletes.   The Jays finished only five games out of the playoffs and showed alot of promise, finishing the '98 season with an impressive record. Now Roger wants out.    Pat has been a team player throughout his career, through the Jays' highs and lows.   Pat has two World Series rings, while Roger has none. Toronto Star: Hentgen blasts Rocket According to an article in the Toronto Sun (10/28/98) Pat is throwing pain-free for the first time since July.  Hentgen struggled to a 12-11 record with a 5.17 ERA in '98.  Pat is now working out five days a week with Jays trainer Tommy Craig at the Jays' Dunedin complex. "We work two hours every morning just on his shoulder and then do an overall workout at a local gym," Craig said.  "There was a period this season when he was asking a lot of questions about his arm, but right now he's really happy with the way it feels."  Craig has been working some long-tossing into the daily workouts and hopes by today or tomorrow to have Hentgen throwing off a mound. Click here for latest Pat news Pat K'ed a career high 14 batters vs. the K.C. Royals, May 3, 1994. Every time a Blue Jays's pitcher registers a strikeout, K for Kids is raising money for specific charities supported by the Toronto Blue Jays Charitable Foundation. Fans can take part in supporting the strikeout effort by calling 416-362-KIDS (5437) to join.