Tom Henke

THOMAS ANTHONY HENKE

After appearing in just 41 games for Texas from 1982-84, Tom Henke was left unprotected by the Rangers when they signed DH Cliff Johnson from the Blue Jays in the 1985 offseason.

Johnson's type-A free agent status entitled the Blue Jays to a compensation draft pick. Texas got to protect 24 players, & at the insistence of scout Moose Johnson, Toronto selected the 25th player on the list, Tom Henke.

The Blue Jays assigned Henke to the Syracuse Chiefs, their Triple-A affiliate in the International League, to begin the 1985 season. Manager Doug Ault was immediately impressed. “I sensed he was special the first time I brought him in,” said Ault. “I remember saying, ‘Gosh, Texas let this guy go!’ That’s probably the most amazing thing in baseball I’ve ever seen."

On Monday evening, July 29, 1985, in front of a huge crowd of 41,599 at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium, Tom Henke, the pride of Blair Oaks High School in Jefferson City, MO, made his debut w/ the Toronto Blue Jays.

Tom Henke Makes His Toronto Blue Jays Pro Debut

• Monday, July 29, 1985
• Toronto Blue Jays at Baltimore Orioles
• Memorial Stadium - Baltimore, MD

The win lifted Toronto’s record to (63-37), good for 1st place in the American League East!

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The Blue Jays assigned Tom Henke to the Syracuse Chiefs, their Triple-A affiliate in the International League, to begin the 1985 season. Manager Doug Ault was immediately impressed. “I sensed he was special the first time I brought him in,” said Ault. “I remember saying, ‘Gosh, Texas let this guy go!’ That’s probably the most amazing thing in baseball I’ve ever seen."

With Syracuse, Henke was practically unhittable. In addition to his mid-90s fastball, he developed a slider, and his forkball was effective against both righties & lefties. In 51⅓ innings, he allowed a measly 13 hits while striking out 60 and notching 18 saves. His ERA was a microscopic 0.88. Henke credited Toronto’s pitching coach, Al Widmar, with shortening his delivery during spring training. “I have a little more control of my body, and it has helped with my breaking pitches,” he said. When Toronto placed Jim Clancy on the disabled list on July 27, 1985, Henke was called up to take his spot on the roster.

Henke made his Blue Jays debut on July 29,1985 at Baltimore. With the game tied 3-3 in the ninth inning, Toronto skipper Bobby Cox thrust his new hurler into the high-leverage situation. Henke swiftly retired the Orioles in order to send the game to extra innings. Damaso Garcia hit a solo home run in the top of the 10th inning to give the Jays a 4-3 lead. Henke shut the door on the O’s in the bottom of the frame, retiring Cal Ripken, Jr. on a fly ball to seal the win. "He can definitely throw a fastball,” said Ripken, “in the true sense of the word.” The win lifted Toronto’s record to 63-37, good for first place in the American League East!

 

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