The Oriole Years
Pat arrives at Dunedin early for Spring training
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- October 29, 2003
Hentgen decides to try free agency!
The O's declined to pick up their $4 million option on Pat's contract, opting to buy it out for
$300,000 instead. O's management did make a multi-year offer to Hentgen at a reduced rate but
Hentgen declined, preferring to wait until the Orioles hired a new manager and perhaps made some
free-agent decisions. Neither side ruled out Pat resigning with the O's at a later date.
But Hentgen would test the free agent market to see which other teams might have an interest.
"We did try to reach some sort of agreement, but weren't able to do that,
We decided we should just wait. He decided he would rather wait to see the managerial situation decided.
We didn't close any doors. We will talk next month."
-- O's executive vice president Jim Beattie
- August 1, 2003
Hentgen spectacular vs. the Red Sox!
In what had to be his best performance since the surgery, Pat pitched 8 solid innings against the
Boston Red Sox. Hentgen walked only one batter while striking out 6, tossing 114 pitches with 71
going for strikes.
Trying for his first complete game since the 2001 season Hentgen returned for the 9th, however the
lead off batter, Johnny Damon took Pat deep with a ball that just cleared the scoreboard in right
for a homer that put an end to Hentgen's night. Julio came on to close out the 9th for the save,
giving Pat his 4 win of the season.
| The Line: |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
SO |
Pitches |
ERA |
| Hentgen: |
8 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
114 |
4.60 |
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"It's been a long time since I had a CG and a shutout, so going into the ninth inning it
was exciting, especially in our hometown."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
"I would say that's obviously the best game that he's thrown as an Oriole."
-- Orioles manager Mike Hargrove
"I think that's the best we've seen him in a couple of years since he had that surgery.
He's certainly real close to getting back to where he was earlier in his career. When the stuff
is there, you have quite a competitor. He was tough out there tonight"
-- Boston manager Grady Little
- June 25, 2003
Hentgen's back in the rotation!
With left-hander Omar Daal having a miserable month of June with a 11.15 ERA the decision was made to
give Pat another shot at the rotation and use Daal in long relief. Hentgen was 1-4 with a 5.90 ERA
in seven irratic starts before heading back to the bullpen. Pat's performance in Atlanta
last Sunday, when he tossed 3 2/3 innings of hitless relief likely earned Pat his return to the
rotation.
Pat will
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start Saturday, when the O's face the Philadelphia Phillies at Camden Yards.
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"As I have said before, starting in this league is a privilege. You can't take anything for
granted in this league. And I won't take this chance for granted."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
"I think that I am most proud of is that I kept us in all but one of the games I pitched,
That's all I want to do. Get the job done and give us a chance to win. I am excited about the chance
to do that again."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
"Daal will remain in the bullpen for long term, so the spot is Hentgen's to keep"
-- Orioles manager Mike Hargrove on Hentgen's return to the rotation.
- June 22, 2003
Hentgen gets a shiner on his way to his first career save!
Pat came on in the 6th with one out and runners on first and second. He got Castilla to
fly out and K'ed Bragg to end the inning without letting a runner score. The 7th and 8th went
smoothly as Pat didn't allow a hit. In the 9th with one out Vinny Castilla knocked one back to the
mound that deflected off of Pat's glove and then caught him in the right eye, giving Pat quite the
shiner. Hentgen still made the out. Being the competitor that he is, the watery eye and swelling
didn't stop Pat from wanting to finish the game. After a little treatment from the O's trainer
Richie Bancells, his vision began to clear and Pat proceeded to get the final out by striking out
Darren Bragg looking.
Pat tossed 45 pitches, 29 of them for strikes while walking only one Braves' batter.
| The Line: |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
SO |
Pitches |
ERA |
| Hentgen: |
3 2/3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
45-29 |
4.82 |
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"It's great that we won the game, I don't really care about the save."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
"Pat really threw the ball well and we needed that, With the way he was pitching, I saw no reason
to take him out."
-- Orioles manager Mike Hargrove
- June 19, 2003
Hentgen pitches 3 innings against the Jays. Hentgen came on in the 6th to relieve the starter
Rick Helling with the Jays having a 5-1 lead. Pat tossed 50 pitches, 31 of them for strikes while
not walking any batters before Buddy Groom came in to start the 9th. Pat pitched well with a
home run to Josh Phelps being the only blemish on his performance.
| The Line: |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
SO |
Pitches |
ERA |
| Hentgen: |
3 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
50-31 |
5.12 |
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- June 13, 2003
Hentgen heads back to the bullpen!
With Rodrigo Lopez coming off the disabled list, Hentgen's spot in the rotation will be given back to
Lopez. While in the rotation Pat made 7 starts, winning 1 and losing 4. While Pat would shine in
some innings, others he would struggle.
"I didn't anticipate it, but 1-4 is 1-4."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen on heading back to the pen
- June 4, 2003
Hentgen flirts with baserunner trouble most innings!
Pat was pitching with runners on base most of the game. Only the 3rd went 1-2-3 for Hentgen. In the
second Pat yielded a long ball to Jose Vizcaino to put the Astros on the board. The O's took the
lead in the 6th, but the Astros reclaimed the lead in the 7th for good when trouble finally caught
up to Pat. Hentgen left with one out in the 7th and runners at second and third and the game tied.
The bullpen allowed both runners to score, going on Pat's record giving him the loss.
Pat gave up 7 hits in 6 1/3 innings tossing 86 pitches, 56 of them for strikes. Hentgen issued
3 free passes and did not strike out any Astros' batters.
| The Line: |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
SO |
| Hentgen: |
6 1/3 |
7 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
0 |
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"That's the life of a starting pitcher, You go six good innings, have one bad inning and
lose the game."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
"I knew going into the seventh they had 8-9-1 coming up, I wanted to be aggressive, but I just
didn't make good pitches."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
- May 29, 2003
Walks cause trouble for Hentgen! Once again the Rangers got the victory over Pat. This time
5 walks by Hentgen led to a couple of rough innings. A hit and a pair of
walks in the first led to one run while the Rangers added two more in the third inning thanks to another
pair of walks and a couple of hits. Pat struggled with his location and just didn't seem to be
hitting his spots the way he did in his previous start. Pat seemed to right himself in the forth but
the wheels fell off in the fifth. Hentgen was sent to the showers after only one out with
runners at first and second with two runs already in.
Over four and a third innings Pat threw 87 pitches, 49 of them for strikes, allowing six runs
(all earned) on six hits. Disappointed by his performance, Hentgen walked off the field and flipped
his glove into the stands.
| The Line: |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
SO |
| Hentgen: |
4 1/3 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
3 |
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"The team's been playing so well. I hate to stop that winning streak like that, You want to
keep that train rolling, and I didn't do that tonight. I was wild. I walked five guys in four
innings, and you can't do that."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
"I felt that Pat was getting a little frustrated, and some of those calls weren't going his way,
I was just trying to get him to refocus and not lose sight of the fact he had to pitch and get
these guys out."
-- Orioles manager Mike Hargrove
Baltimore Sun - 05/30/2003: Rangers walk by Hentgen
- May 23, 2003
Rafael Palmeiro and Michael Young homer off Hentgen!
Pat took the loss versus the Rangers in a 5-3 defeat for his forth start of 2003. Pat left a couple
of pitches out over the plate which were knocked over the fences for homers.
Palmeiro homered and knocked in the winning run off of Hentgen.
Pat threw 116 pitches, 73 of them for strikes, allowing ten hits, striking out 5 and walking 2.
| The Line: |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
SO |
| Hentgen: |
6 |
10 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
5 |
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"I made some mistakes, there's no doubt about it, You can't leave pitches
out over the fat part of the plate to these guys."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
- May 17, 2003
Pat pitches 7 scoreless innings, gets first win since the surgery!
In his third start since getting back in the rotation, Hentgen looked more like the pitcher that
won the Cy Young in '96. Over seven innings Pat had all his arsenal of pitches working as he threw
111 pitches, 67 of them for strikes. Pat
only allowed two hits while striking out 4 and walking 4. Pat found himself with two runners on base
in the second but escaped any damage by getting Javier Valentin to pop out back to him for the third out.
Hentgen although starting to tire, also pitched his way out of trouble in the sixth after he allowed
free passes to put two Rays on base. Pat didn't allow any runners past second.
| The Line: |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
SO |
| Hentgen: |
7 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
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"There are times I thought it would never happen, It was a great win for us. We needed it."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen on his first win after surgery
"It was Pat's night, I just called the pitches. He made them. He was on his game tonight."
-- Orioles catcher Brook Fordyce
"Pat was golden tonight, He threw the ball really well. He saved our bullpen. It was great
to see."
-- Orioles manager Mike Hargrove
- May 7, 2003
Hentgen's gets roughed up in first 2003 start. Taking pitcher Rodrigo Lopez's place in
the rotation while he is on the DL, Pat made his first start of the season versus Mark Maroth
and the Detroit Tigers. Pat got off to a good start setting the Tigers down 1-2-3 in the first.
In the second Dimitri Young led off the inning with a homer to right, but Pat proceeding to get
the next three batters in order.
The third inning was not kind to Hentgen. The Tigers got four hits and three runs
including an inside-the-park home run by Shane Halter. Pat gave up two hits and loaded the bases
in the forth but got out of the jam without any more damage. However that was the end of the night
for Pat. His next start should be May 11th versus Kansas City.
- May 5, 2003
Pat's to start May 6th versus the Tigers. With a spot in the rotation open with Lopez on the DL,
Pat gets a chance to take the mound as a starter once again. While Pat prefers a starter role, he has
performed well out of the pen. No doubt Pat's happy to have a chance to start.
"Starting is something I'm a little more accustomed to, but other than that, nothing's changed.
I'm just going to go out and try to pitch the best I can."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen on starting Tuesday
"Yeah, this is a big deal for me. This is something I have wanted and I want to pitch well.
Yeah, I want to win. I want to get a victory."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
"I don't control whether I am in the rotation so it's really difficult to look at this as more
than a spot start. My job is to go out there and pitch and let everything take care of itself."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen about staying in the rotation
- May 3, 2003
Pat's back in the rotation! A spot in the rotation opened up after the O's placed pitcher
Rodrigo Lopez on the DL today with a strained left oblique muscle. Pat is now scheduled to start
in Lopez's place, likely next Tuesday vs. the Tigers. Hopefully Pat can continue to pitch well
(we know he will) and keep his new spot in the rotation when Lopez returns.
- May 1, 2003
Pat comes on to pitch after Rodrigo Lopez injured. Hentgen came on in the second inning after
the starter Rodrigo Lopez was taken out with strained muscle in his lower back.
Pat allowed 1 earned run on three hits while tossing 77 pitches, 46 of them for strikes,
on his way to striking out two and walking four Detroit batters.
| The Line: |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
SO |
| Hentgen: |
5 2/3 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
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- April 15, 2003
Pat makes his second appearance after Daal is ejected. Hentgen came on in relief in the 5th
after Omar Daal was ejected by home plate umpire Brian O'Nora for throwing at the Indian's Matt Lawton.
Pat tossed 98 pitches, 58 of them for strikes, on his way to k'ing four Indians batters.
| The Line: |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
SO |
| Hentgen: |
3 2/3 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
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- April 4, 2003
Pat makes his first appearance out of the pen since '93. Hentgen was a little inconsistant
during spring training and lost the 5th starters role to Rick Helling. Prior to that Pat had made
265 consecutive starts (13 for the O's). Pat was very devastated to lose his starter's role and
breifly considered asking for a trade but with his usual class and dignity accepted his new
assignment determined to pitch his way back to a starter's role with the Orioles.
| The Line: |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
SO |
| Hentgen: |
4 2/3 |
6 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
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"It's weird out there, I mean, I'm so used to sitting in the dugout with the hitters and you
get more of a feel of the game. You feel more a part of the team. But out there, you really have to pay
attention. It's not so easy."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen about watching the game from the pen
"Players don't make trades, General managers do. But I am not going to walk in there stirring
things up. I have to deal with what happened. I didn't pitch well enough to earn the role.
That's the reality."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen about starting the season in the pen
"As I have said, starting in this league is a privilege and I have to earn it, I want to
earn it back and the only way to do that is by pitching well." "
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen about starting the season in the pen
- October 30, 2002
Hentgen signs new contract with the O's!
All the fans who answered our survey unanimously thought the Pat should be back in an Oriole's
uniform in 2003 and apparently so did the Baltimore Orioles as they signed Pat yesterday to a one
year contract for 2003 with a club option for 2004. The O's bought out Pat's original contract and
then renegotiated a new one. At this time no other details were available.
All us Hentgen fans know that Pat brings alot to a team both on the field and in the clubhouse.
With the surgery behind him and a full spring training to get ready, there's lots of reasons
to be very optimistic about the 2003 season.
At least the Orioles recognize a good thing when they see one.
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"We wanted Pat back not only for his ability on the mound but for his leadership and work ethic.
We expect him to be back in full form next season and look forward to Pat having a good year in 2003"
-- Syd Thrift, Oriole's V. P. Baseball Operations
"Orioles fans and the organization have been great to me, I was so excited when I first signed with
Baltimore, to be able to play at Camden Yards, so it was really frustrating when I got hurt. I really
wanted to re-sign with the Orioles because Baltimore is a fantastic place to play and I think there
are a lot of reasons to be optimistic about this team."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
- September 26, 2002
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Hentgen returns to the Skydome mound!
Three years to the day after Hentgen walked off the mound for his final time as a Blue Jay, he returns
to the Skydome mound but this time in an Orioles uniform. A little nervous at first, but that
disappeared quickly after a few pitches. Pat struggled to locate some of his pitches, especially
the change-up, leaving a few pitches enticingly over the middle
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of the plate for Blue Jay hitters. As a result Pat gave up eight hits over six innings leading to
five Blue Jay runs. Pat threw 91 pitches, 59 of them for strikes. Hentgen K'ed one while issuing
only one free pass. Pat took the loss, making him 0-4.
While it's been a disappointing return to the mound after his sugery, Pat's determination, along
with some off season work and some spring training, we'll likely see Pat return in 2003 pitching
more like we're used to. All that remains to be seen is if the Orioles will be smart enough to
pick up his option for 2003.
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"Everyone knows I loved playing here; there's no question, I was lucky enough to be a part of two
World Series teams and play before 50,000, so I've got a lot of great memories here."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen on pitching in Toronto
"I made five starts in the minor leagues and four starts here in the majors. And knock on wood,
I haven't had any problems at all. It's just a matter of executing pitches and keeping the ball down.
And making good pitches, and I didn't do that tonight."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
- September 7th, 2002
Hentgen to start on Sunday vs. the Angels!
Pat finally got to hear the words he's been waiting for. After today's game, Manager Mike
Hargrove anounced that Hentgen would start Sunday's game against the Anaheim Angels. After
six rehab starts Pat was anxious to get back on the big league mound.
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"When you hear something like that, sometimes you wonder if you have pitched in your
last game, But everybody helped me in this process -- the Orioles, the doctors, my teammates. I know
I will sleep well tonight, but there will be some butterflies. Shoot, I had butterflies for my
starts with Bowie and Frederick."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen on starting Sunday
- September 4th, 2002
Hentgen likely to join bullpen when called up!
Orioles' manager, Mike Hargrove said that when activated, Pat will pitch out of the bullpen.
The Orioles made a spot on their 40-man roster for Hentgen by outrighting Howie Clark to
Rochester, who passed through waivers.
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- September 2nd, 2002
Hentgen pitches a complete-game victory!
Pat went 7 innings for the Fredrick keys when they took on Winston-Salem on Monday. Hentgen
k'ed five while issuing free passes to only two. He threw 88 pitches and allowed five hits,
yeilding two runs on an Eric Walsh double in the forth inning that scored both runs.
Over his six rehab starts, Pat is 2-2 with a 2.20 ERA (32.2IP/8ER).
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"It's a couple clicks below where it was before I got hurt, but I've never been a
power guy who blows the ball by anybody. I think it will get better."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen on his fastball topping out at 90 mph
- September 1st, 2002
Hentgen misses start for Aberdeen, will start Monday for Fredrick!
Rain and a wet pitching mound caused Pat to miss his start for the Aberdeen Ironbirds vs. the
Vermont Expos. The decision was made to be on the safe side, not wanting Pat to accidently
injure himself due to the conditions. Pat is currently 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA for his rehab starts.
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- August 27th, 2002
Hentgen pitches 6 innings, get a no decision in Double-A game!
Pat started for Bowie in his fifth rehab start vs Reading. He allowed only two runs,
with one being earned while tossing 91 pitches. His velocity was not quite the Hentgen of old,
topping out at 89 mph on the radar gun. Pat will likely make one more start before rejoining
the big club.
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"I felt stronger than I did in my last outing, I think I am ready to go back, but I will do
whatever the Orioles tell me to do. Their rehab programs have worked well in the past."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
- August 20th, 2002
Hentgen pitches 6 2/3's scoreless innings!
Pat made his third rehab official start
with the O's Class-A Aberdeen club on Tuesday. Pat had excellent command of his 'stuff', especially
the cutter. Hentgen issued no free passes, K'ed three while only giving up four hits. Unfortunately
Pat suffered a mild groin strain while covering first base which may jeopardize Pat's Sunday start.
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"The middle innings I got good and strong, I was really hitting my spots good. I felt like I got
better each inning. It was the best command I've had, by far the best location on my fastball."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
- August 15th, 2002
Hentgen gets roughed up in his second official rehab start!
Pat took the mound
Thursday for Single-A Aberdeen. Pat didn't fair too well, giving up eight runs, (only four earned)
on eight hits over five innings, taking the 12-2 loss to Brookyn. While the final score wasn't
pretty, several positives did come out of his pitching performance. Hentgen struck out seven batters
while not walking any. An encouraging sign that Pat's arm strength is returning was his velocity was
better with fastball topping out at about 91 mph. Hentgen hopes to have a couple more starts before
be activated by the O's. (Let's hope baseball is still being played then).
Pat is scheduled to make his next start on Tuesday for Double-A Bowie.
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"The bottom line is results and they weren't good, But there were some positive things to
come out of that start. I got hit around, I'll tell you that. But I finished strong and felt good."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen on his performance
"I am visualizing that first outing since my injury and right now I'm close, I will continue to
keep pushing toward it. But I feel no pain. This whole ordeal has hurt me because I always took
pride in getting the ball every fifth day and going out there. So getting out there again will be a
great day for me."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
- August 10th, 2002
Hentgen goes 5 in his first rehab start!
Pat tossed five innings Single-A Delmarva.
Pat threw 70 pitches limiting Augusta to only four hits while walking one batter and striking out
four. Hentgen also hit a batter.
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- August 8th, 2002
Hentgen gets his first official rehab start!
Almost a year to the date of his elbow
ligament replacement surgery, Pat will get his first rehab start. Hentgen will start for the
O's Class-A Delmarva team on Saturday when they play the Augusta GreenJackets. A few rehab starts
are the next steps in Pat's return to the Orioles rotation. Pat will likely be called up when the
rosters expand in September so the O's can get a look in order to make a decision on their
2003 option on Hentgen's contract.
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"Yeah, there's a lot of anxiety and excitement there, I haven't pitched in a real game since I
blew my arm out last May. So this is a big deal. I have followed all the steps the Orioles have told me
to and this is the last one."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen on his rehab start
"I am very pleased with the way things have gone, My arm feels like I never had surgery, like
before I starting feeling pain. I know I have followed all the steps, so I am excited about pitching
again.."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
- August 5th, 2002
Hentgen tosses three scoreless innings!
Pat pitched in a Gulf Coast League game.
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- July 30, 2002
Hentgen pitches simulated game!
Having missed the 1st half of the 2002 season,
it looks like Pat has taken the next big step on his road back to the major league mound. On Tuesday
morning at the O's minor league complex in Sarasota Florida, Pat threw a simulated game under the
watchful eyes of Manager Mike Hargrove and pitching coach Mark Wiley. Hentgen tossed 90 pitches
dominating three minor league batters over 6 innings. According to Mike Hargrove, Pat had a good
outing, locating his pitches well. Pat had the changeup, cutter and his specialty pitch, the curveball
working. While his fastball only got up to 85mph, Pat was only about 5mph off his pre-surgery
velocity. The best news was that Pat experienced no pain while throwing.
Currently Pat has been of a schedule of throwing every other day and exercise. A rehab
assignment in the minors is likely not far off. While nothing has been decided as of yet, the
O's are optimistic that Hentgen will be back in the starting rotation by September.
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"I feel pretty good, I’m throwing pain-free. I haven’t quite gotten my arm strength back to
where my fastball was, but I think my other pitches are pretty darn close."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
"He did real well, He located the pitches well. His motion was nice and free, and the ball came
out of his hand well. It was a good outing, it really was."
-- Orioles manager Mike Hargrove on Hentgen's simulated game.
- February 15, 2002
Hentgen reports to spring training!
Pat threw for the first time since his August 9th
surgery during the Orioles' first pitcher and catcher workout at Fort Lauderdale Stadium. Pat was
optimistic that if all goes according to plan, he'll be back on the mound, ready for his first 2002
season start in late July after the All Star break.
Pat signed a two year contract with the Orioles, which includes a club option for the 2003 season.
With Pat on the shelf and the O's in a rebuilding phase, it is unlikely the club would exercise
their option unless Hentgen manages to demonstrate his arm is
as good as ever. So while Pat doesn't
want to rush his rehab, he does have something to prove. However, the odds are on Pat's side.
Over 80 percent of the major league pitchers who undergo "Tommy John" surgery pitch again at the
major league level. As well, Hentgen' s surgeon, Dr. James Andrews has one of the best track records
for these operations.
"Before I had the surgery, Dr. Andrews took me into a room that had a bunch of signed jerseys and
stuff, He pointed to [David] Wells and [Kenny] Rogers and said, 'Do you know how many guys have
thrown perfect games?' To which I replied 'Yeah,' Then he added 'I did both those guys before they had
their perfect games.' "
While Pat was signed to be one of the O's starting rotation, for the moment Pat will have to help
his club out by setting the example for "work ethic". Until now, Pat's rehab has only included
exercise and weight work. Yesterday, during the team's first workout Hentgen played catch for
the first time under the supervision of Orioles trainer Richie Bancells. Pat made about 50 throws
of around 45 feet and participated in some light fielding workouts. Nothing too strenuous to start
with.
According to Pat, the hardest part is holding back. Us Hentgen fans know that with Pat, his dogged
determination will let him achieve whatever he puts his mind to.
(See you on the mound after the break Pat!!)
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"The throwing part of it begins today, Talking to other guys, they say the throwing program
takes about five months, so July 15, I should be able to go five or six innings."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen on his 2002 return.
"If we got a couple months, it would be gravy."
-- Orioles manager Mike Hargrove on Hentgen's 2002 return.
- August 9, 2001
Hentgen has season ending Tommy John Surgery! Pat has just added his name to a long list
of players who have undergone the procedure, including John Smoltz, Kerry Wood, David Wells, Jim Gott,
Billy Koch, Tom Candiotti, Norm Charlton and position players, Paul Molitor and Jose Canseco to name
a few.
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On Thursday while the team was in Kansas City to play the Royals, in Birmingham Alabama,
orthopedic surgeon
Dr. James Andrews perfomed ulnar collateral ligament
replacement ("Tommy John") surgery on Pat. Dr. Andrews returned early from his Greece vacation
to perform Hentgen's sugery. The typical recovery time from this surgery is 12-14 months so
Hentgen is expected to miss the entire 2002 season. Pat last pitched on May 16 against the Detroit
Tigers, leaving him 2-3 with a 3.47 ERA on the 2001 season. Missing an entire season may seem
devastating, but the same injury 26 years ago would have ended his pitching career.
Today, thanks to Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tommy John who in 1974 after being diagnosed with a
career-threatening torn ulnar collateral ligament told Dr. Frank Jobe to
"make up something," in his desperate search for a way to extend his pitching career.
Dr. Jobe instead made history developing a new surgical procedure.
Dr. Jobe extracted a tendon from John's right arm and used it to replace the torn ligament on his
left, pitching arm, threading the healthy tendon through holes drilled into the bone above and below
the elbow. While no one at the time was certain of the surgery's outcome, Tommy John went on to
win 170 games. Without Dr. Jobe's inventiveness, Tommy John would never have pitched another
baseball. The procedure is now commonly referred to as "Tommy John surgery".
Dr. Jobe has gone on to refine the technique while performing more than 200 of these operations and
has passed the technique on to other surgeons, such as Dr. James Andrews, who performed
Hentgen's operation.
We wish Pat a full recovery and look forward to seeing him pitch again. If you would like to
send your wishes to Pat just
sign the Guestbook ... & say get well to Pat!
Or you can just have a look ...
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"I haven't been the greatest pitcher, but I've been durable and I've always taken pride in that,
Durability is one thing I usually can bring to a team and I just wasn't able to do it, and that's
been the most disappointing thing. I go out there and try to compete and give my team a chance to
win. To not be able to do that has been bothersome."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen.
"Everything went fine. From what we understand, it was successful, Dr. Andrews was very pleased with
what he found in there and his ability to be able to repair it."
-- Orioles manager Mike Hargrove on Hentgen's surgery.
- July 30, 2001
Hentgen's recovery grinds to a halt! The last obsticle in Pat's way to a rehab start was a
few pitches in a simulated game before the O's regular game on Sunday. Hentgen tossed for about 12
minutes on flat ground before taking to the mound. However Pat only managed to throw seven pitches
before having to shut it down, feeling pain similar to what sidelined him in the first place.
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Pat had felt some discomfort last week when he threw 60 pitches over 18 minutes in Texas.
Hentgen will be examined further, but he is expected to miss the remainder of the season and may
possibly undergo surgery. A visit to Birmingham, Alabama to see orthopedic Dr. James Andrews is
likely.
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"It's frustrating because I really can't tell what's going on, I don't know anything right now."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
"It didn't go well, It wasn't what anybody wanted. That's all I can say."
-- Orioles manager Mike Hargrove on Hentgen's bullpen session.
- July 22, 2001
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Hentgen's tosses some BP! Before the O's scheduled game against the Angels, Pat threw
about 10 minutes of batting practise to Brook Fordyce, Tony Batista and Mike Kinkade. It's the first
time he's thrown to live batters since going on the DL. Hentgen is going to take a day off before
throwing a simulated game, in order to test out the arm and the curveball. If all goes well the
next step will be a rehab start in the minors.
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- July 13, 2001
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Hentgen's return hopefully getting closer! For the first time since going on the DL
with a sprained ligament in his right forearm, Pat is planning to throw from the mound.
Before the O's take on the Marlins on Sunday Hentgen will test the arm. If all goes well
Pat could be scheduled for a couple of rehab starts before returning to the O's rotation.
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"It felt great. Everything has gone well so far, I don't want to get ahead of myself, but in
my mind something could happen by next Friday."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
- May 30, 2001
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Hentgen out until the All Star break! Orthopedic specialist, Dr. James Andrews examined Pat
yesterday and concluded that he has a sprained elbow ligament which will require a more lengthy rest
than originally predicted.
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- May 28, 2001
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Pat's to pay a visit to Dr. Andrews! While the team doctors have diagnosed Pat's problem
as a sprained flexor tendon, the results from the MRI were inconclusive. Thus Hentgen will be
headed to Birmingham Alabama to see orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion. Pat's
unlikely to take the mound when he's scheduled to come off the DL on Friday.
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"I'm thinking June 1st is not going to happen. I wish it could. This has lingered.
If you had asked on the 17th if I thought it would still be bothering me, I would have said, 'No way.'
But it's bothering me enough to get an MRI and see another doctor for a second opinion."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
- May 25, 2001
Pat's goes on the DL! Some tendinitis in his right elbow has caused Pat to find himself
on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to May 17th. Hentgen will be eligible to come off the
DL on June 1st. For now Josh Towers has been recalled from Triple-A Rochester to take Pat's spot
on the roster. On Friday Pat threw for 11 minutes on the side, eight of them from the mound.
While Hentgen could throw his fastball, cutter and change-up, the curveball was causing him some
pain in his elbow. His elbow also caused Pat to miss his last start against the Twins. Hentgen
will go for an MRI in the next couple of days.
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"To be honest, I didn't think I'd miss a start when I felt pain against the Tigers, and it just
hasn't gotten better at the rate that I had hoped it would, I feel a significant pinch, which I think
is probably a good thing because we can narrow it down to what it is. I think it's just tendinitis"
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
"I'm no more concerned now than I was yesterday, If he's not any better at the end of these
seven days than he was today, then it escalates."
-- Orioles manager Mike Hargrove
- May 22, 2001
Pat's shoulder stiffness postpones start!
Hentgen's shoulder has been bothering him since his May 4th start against the Yankees. With
the days off the O's have this week, Mike Hargrove has decided to play it safe and let Hentgen miss
his start this Tuesday. Hentgen skipped his usual throwing on the side before his start in Tampa
and his command was looking much better when he pitched against the Tigers. Pat will likely make
his next start on Saturday.
"It's just a mild case of tendinitis or whatever you want to call it. It's your normal aches and
pains. With the off days, they talked to me about it and I thought it was probably a good idea, as
much as I hate to get bumped. It doesn't really screw up anybody."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
"It wasn't really up to me, It's one of those things where I've been able to throw through it in
the past and I probably could throw through it now, but given the off days, that's why it was done
the way it was done."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
- March 26, 2001
Pat officially annouced as opening day starter!
Even after being roughed up his last outing, to no one's surprise Hentgen was still declared by
managaer Mike Hargrove to be his opening day starter. Pat will square off April 2nd against the
Boston Red Sox, when his his opponent will be Pedro Martinez.
"It's an honor to pitch in that game, I think you reward people who have done things in this game
that no one has done, Pat Hentgen certainly fits that bill."
-- Orioles manager Mike Hargrove
- March 26, 2001
Terrific article about Pat!!
In the latest issue of the Outside Pitch magazine, Pat is featured on the cover. Inside
is an in depth article by Louis Berney who talks with Pat about being with the O's and the upcoming
season. Check it out at
The Outside Pitch.
Besides a fantastic Hentgen article, it contains lots of great
info and news about the O's. Subscribe while you're there!
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- March 18, 2001
Pat bouces back against the Rangers!!
After having a bad day at the office his last outing, Hentgen pitched six scoreless innings vs. the
Texas Rangers. While struggling with his command, Pat used all of his pitching repertoire to hold
the Ranger's batters to only only three hits, while walking two batters and K'ing one.
"I can't say enough about what Brook did. He called for some pitches that I might not
have normally thrown, and it worked."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
- March 13, 2001
Pat offers up three long balls!!
Hentgen didn't sparkle quite so brightly in his second outing of the spring. Pat gave up three
home runs to the Marlin's batters, allowing five hits, four runs in a 10-3 loss.
Pat gave up back to back shots to Derrek Lee and B.J. Waszgis, then in the third with two outs, Cliff
Floyd took Pat deep as well.
"I don't really worry about results this time of year. Don't get me wrong. I know this game is
all about results, and I didn't have them today. But I'm just trying to get my arm ready for the
season, and I'm getting there."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
"The wind was blowing out, and he didn't really pitch that badly overall, But you need to keep
the ball down, and that's one thing he didn't do."
-- Orioles manager Mike Hargrove
Baltimore Sun - 03/14/2001: Hentgen well-armed against bad day
- March 5, 2001
Pat shines in spring opener!!
Hentgen started the spring facing the team he last played against, the New York Mets. It was a
windy day in Port. St. Lucie, but Pat was the one blowing the Mets batters away. Pat was in fine
form, holding the Mets to just two hits over 3 scoreless innings. Hentgen yielded a
leadoff double to Jorge Toca in the second and a two-out single to Darryl Hamilton in
the third.
"After warmups I didn't feel I was as loose as I'd like to be, but I think it had to do with the
wind and the cold, It was a situation where once I got out there, I felt real good. No walks
and only one three-ball count so I'm happy about it!"
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
- February 26, 2001
Pat's in the zone!!
Pat was the starter in the Orioles' first spring training inter-squad game yesterday. While
restricted to only throwing fastballs and changeups, Hentgen still managed to find the strike zone
with seven of his eight pitches. From this outing it looks like Pat's brought his good stuff with
him to the O's, as he K'ed Melvin Mora, while retiring the side in the first inning.
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"Spring training is for starting pitchers. That's why it's six weeks long. The first game, we
were told to throw four-seamers and changeups and work on locating the ball and pitching ahead.
That's the thing you're looking for, seeing the ball come out of your hand free and easy and
getting that good downward plane."
-- Orioles pitcher Pat Hentgen
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- February 15, 2000
Pat's just getting warmed up!
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Pat's no longer rated an Ace? The sneak peek at this years O's is out and Pat's not highly rated
by Dan Martin, a sports writer for the New York Post to be the #1 starter the O's want him to be.
Pat has not had the best of years, coming off his shoulder injury, but a 15 game
winner is certainly not just an inning eating pitcher. Us Hentgen fans know what Pat is
capable of! Here's the Hentgen "snip-it" from the article....
So who replaced the Moose at the top of the rotation? Why, Pat Hentgen, of course. Not Mussina,
Kevin Appier, Mike Hampton or even Denny Neagle. They all wound up elsewhere after being pursued
by the Birds.
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And unfortunately for Baltimore, it is not 1997. Hentgen is fairly inexpensive (2 years,
$9.6 million), but he doesn't belong at the top of a staff. He's nowhere near the pitcher he was
when he beat out Andy Pettitte for the 1996 AL Cy Young, going 20-10. In 2000, Hentgen was 15-12 with
a very ordinary 4.72 ERA in St. Louis, who chose not to bring him back. And while the veteran proved
to be a valuable part of the Cardinals playoff team, he wasn't counted on to be the ace, which he
likely will be with the Orioles.
In fact, St. Louis manager Tony LaRussa didn't use Hentgen from Sept. 19 until Game 5 of
the NLCS against the Mets.
Hentgen is 38-35 over the past three seasons. That would be fine for the ace of a small market
squad like Minnesota or Kansas City, but this is Baltimore, which purports itself to be a
big-time team and has the payroll to back it up. In a perfect world, he shouldn't be more than
an inning-eating third starter.
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- February 9, 2001
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Recently Paul C. Smith did an interview with Pat. Here is the resulting article ...
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MLB - 02/09/2001: Hentgen Happy and at Home in AL
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"I'm just a guy who goes out and pitches, The bottom line is you try to do the best
you can."
-- Orioles' pitcher Pat Hentgen
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- January 14, 2001
The Orioles recently held their annual winter fanfest. Pat as one of the newest Orioles was in
attendance to meet the fans. Those present got a nice postcard of Pat in his new Oriole's uniform.
Pat was also kind enough to
answer some email questions
from the O's fans.
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- December 19, 2000
Pat's become a bird of another feather!! The Baltimore Orioles have
fortified their shaky starting rotation by signing our former AL Cy Young Award winner
to a two year contract with a club option for a third.
Pat receives $4.5M for the first two years while the Orioles have a $6M option for 2003. Pat joins
Jose Mercedes and Sidney Ponson in the staring rotation.
Besides bringing his pitching talent, Pat bring alot of experience and presence to the O's
clubhouse.
Welcome back to the A.L. Pat!
Sign the Guestbook ...
& welcome Pat back too!
Or you can just have a look ...
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View a clip from the press conference
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"It's funny how free agency works, I never really thought the Orioles and I would fit,
but it worked out, and it's a comforting feeling knowing where I'll be the next two
seasons."
-- Newest Orioles' pitcher Pat Hentgen
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"He brings all the intangibles we’re looking for, He’s a winner, and he will have a positive
impact on our younger pitchers."
-- Syd Thrift, (Orioles Vice President for
Baseball Operations)
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What Pat had to say ...
mp3 (244Kb)
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MLB - 12/19/2000: Hentgen signs two-year deal with Orioles
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- November 2, 2000
The Jays have an interest in Hentgen!! Gord Ash will fly Saturday to Amelia Island,
Fla., and the annual meetings equipped with a fatter budget and an interest in re-signing Hentgen.
GM, Gord Ash stated, "We have interest in Hentgen, at a certain level." As translated by the
Toronto Sun, the Jays are interested, but not at $6 million.
Also interested .... The Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Phillies.
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