Pat Hentgen

Pat Hentgen
Pitcher
Born: November 13, 1968 (1968-11-13) Detroit, Michigan
Batted: Right	Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 3, 1991 for the Toronto Blue Jays
Last MLB appearance
July 21, 2004 for the Toronto Blue Jays
Career statistics
Win–loss record	131–112
Earned run average	4.32
Strikeouts	1,290
Teams
Toronto Blue Jays (1991–1999) St. Louis Cardinals (2000) Baltimore Orioles (2001–2003) Toronto Blue Jays (2004)
Career highlights and awards
3× All-Star (1993, 1994, 1997) World Series champion (1993) 1996 AL Cy Young Award

Patrick George Hentgen (born November 13, 1968 in Detroit, Michigan) is a former Major League Baseball player. Hentgen was a right-handed starting pitcher in the major leagues and a Cy Young Award winner in 1996. Hentgen served as the bullpen coach of the Toronto Blue Jays for the 2011 season, but quit in November 2011 for personal reasons.

Career

Hentgen 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 free agent draft. He made his debut in 1991 and played a large part in their World Series championship in 1993 while 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, barely beating New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte. 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 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. His last game was earlier in the week vs. the Yankees, where he surrendered Gary Sheffield's 400th career home run.

The right-hander left with his name all over the Blue Jays' team record book, ranking in the top five in wins (107), starts (238), innings pitched (1,636) and winning percentage (.557). Overall, the three-time All-Star spent 14 seasons in the majors, going 131-112 with 34 complete games, 1,290 strikeouts and a 4.32 ERA.

Pitching Style

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.

Coaching career

Hentgen rejoined the Toronto Blue Jays under new manager John Farrell as their new bullpen coach for the 2011 season. It is Hentgen's first coaching assignment. He stepped down in November 2011 due to family reasons and was given the title of Special Assistant to the Organization.

Career statistics

W	L	PCT	ERA	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	IP	H	ER	R	HR	BB	SO	WP	HBP
131	112	.539	4.32	344	306	34	10	1	2075.1	2111	996	1076	269	775	1290	66	49

See also

• List of Major League Baseball leaders in career wins

External links

• Career statistics and player information from ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or The Baseball Cube
• ESPN Profile
• Archived Blue Jay Way Interview

References

Preceded by Randy Johnson

American League Cy Young Award 1996

Succeeded by Roger Clemens