Pat Hentgen | |||
---|---|---|---|
Toronto Blue Jays | |||
Pitcher / Coach | |||
Born: Detroit, Michigan |
November 13, 1968 |||
|
|||
MLB debut | |||
September 3, 1991, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |||
Last MLB appearance | |||
July 21, 2004, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |||
MLB statistics | |||
Win–loss record | 131–112 | ||
Earned run average | 4.32 | ||
Strikeouts | 1,290 | ||
Teams | |||
Career highlights and awards | |||
|
Patrick George Hentgen (born November 13, 1968) is an American former professional baseball pitcher, and currently a special assistant to the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Blue Jays, St. Louis Cardinals, and Baltimore Orioles.
Hentgen was born in Detroit, and was offered a baseball scholarship to Western Michigan University, but signed with the Toronto Blue Jays instead after being drafted in the 5th round of the 1986 Major League Baseball draft. He made his debut in 1991, and played a large part in the Blue Jays' World Series championship in 1993, winning 19 games in the regular season. His best year, however, came in 1996 when he went 20–10 with a 3.22 ERA and 177 strikeouts to win the American League Cy Young Award. Hentgen was an American League All-Star in 1993, 1994, and 1997.
Hentgen was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1999 and played for the Baltimore Orioles from 2001 to 2003. He had Tommy John surgery in August 2001.
On November 18, 2003, Hentgen returned to the Blue Jays on a one-year free agent deal worth $2.2 million. However, he was unable to regain the consistency that had made him successful in the mid-90s, and on July 24, 2004, Hentgen announced his retirement from baseball.
Hentgen was noted for his success in challenging hitters directly, mostly throwing his fastball for strikes to get ahead early in the count. This would set up his curveball or high fastball to strike out the batter.