gold star for USAHOF

23. Tom Henke

23. Tom Henke
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: December 21, 1957 in Kansas City, MO USA
  • Weight: 215 lbs.
  • Height: 6'5"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: September 10, 1982
  • Final Game: September 30, 1995
  • Rolaids Relief Man Award - 1995
  • MVP - 1985
  • MVP - 1987
  • MVP - 1995
  • Rookie of the Year - 1985
 
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Although Tom Henke had the nickname of the "Terminator," he looked more like an accountant, that is, until he pitched.

The reliever was plucked from the Rangers in 1985 as a Free Agent compensation pick.  Henke had the velocity but not the accuracy, but he had a turnaround in the minors in 1985, was called up for Toronto's playoff drive, and never looked back.

Henke, who had 13 Saves for the Blue Jays in '85, had 27 in 1986, and it looked like, after a decade of existence, Toronto finally had their closer.  His best season in a Toronto uniform was arguably in 1987 when he went to the All-Star Game and led the American League in Games Finished (52) and Saves (34).  Toronto continued to build a bona fide contender, and with Henke in tow, they did not have to worry about the 9th Inning.  

From 1988 to 1992, Henke continued to be one of the top Relief Pitchers in the AL, recording at least 20 Saves each year, while the team had Duane Ward emerge as the 8th-inning setup man.  The dangerous combination helped win the Blue Jays the 1992 World Series, but that would be Henke's last game in Toronto, as he signed with Texas, his original team, as a Free Agent.

As a Blue Jay, Henke compiled 217 Saves, 386 Games Finished, and had an SO/9 of 10.3.  Henke was also inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Pitcher
  • Acquired: Chosen by Toronto as a Free Agent Compensation Pick 1/24/85.
  • Departed:

    Signed as a Free Agent with the Texas Rangers 12/15/92.

  • Games Played: 446
  • Notable Statistics:

    29 Wins
    29 Losses
    2.48 ERA
    386 Games Finished
    217 Saves
    563.0 Innings Pitched
    644 Strikeouts
    2.53 FIP
    1.025 WHIP
    3.88 SO/BB
    16.8 bWAR                     

    15 Playoff Games
    2 Wins
    0 Losses
    1.83 ERA
    11 Games Finished
    5 Saves
    19.2 Innings Pitched
    15 Strikeouts
    0.97 WHIP
    1.67 SO/BB

  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Champion (1992)
    All-Star (1987)
    Most Saves (1987)
    Most Games Finished (1987)

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