Elrod Hendricks

The best lifetime ERA in the Orioles' bullpen belongs to a man who never drew a paycheck as a pitcher, who took the mound in one game, who blanked the opposition and who gladly never returned.Ask bullpen coach and batting practice pitcher Elrod Hendricks about his shining moment on the hill and he laughs."It was just one of those weird days," Hendricks says.He says he would just as soon forget it, although people often bring it up. In any case, no ceremony was held this week to commemorate the 16th anniversary of the time Hendricks played stopper on The Day the Pitching Staff Collapsed, the day Earl Weaver sent six men to the mound against the Toronto Blue Jays, four of whom had actually been hired by the Orioles to pitch.

June 10, 2003: A week after Sammy Sosa was caught using a corked bat, some of the announced 32,484 in attendance at Camden Yards greet the Chicago Cubs' slugger by throwing corks at him as he takes his spot in right field. "As long as no one touches me, I'm not really worried about that," says Sosa, who gets two hits in a 4-0 victory over the Orioles. Two years later, he'll play for Baltimore. June 14, 1997: Catcher Chris Hoiles strikes out five straight times, but then - on an 0-2 pitch - slams a two-run double in the top of the 12th inning to lead the Orioles past the defending National League champion Atlanta Braves, 6-4. "It's got to be one of my worst days, but it turned out awesome," Hoiles says.

In his own way, Elrod Hendricks was the most valuable Oriole every year. He was a one-man community outreach program, forever taking the time to sign autographs, chat up fans, make appearances, giggle with kids - the kind of stuff that pro athletes used to do all the time. Elrod - last name not required in this town - never felt he was too swell for that just because he had played and coached in the major leagues. To the contrary, he realized it was more and more important that he fill the role because fewer and fewer of his baseball brethren did. His death last night leaves a void that can't be filled.

Right-hander Jeremy Guthrie is trying to decide whether he should keep the only uniform number he has known as an Oriole, No. 46, or switch to something else to honor the late Mike Flanagan . And Guthrie wants as much feedback as possible. "I really just want to do what people would view as the most respectful [thing] to honor him and his memory and what he did for the Orioles," Guthrie said. Flanagan, a 1979 Cy Young Award winner, team executive, coach and longtime Orioles pitcher who wore No. 46, died Wednesday outside his home in Sparks.

It is the area directly behind the home team's on-deck circle at Camden Yards, in between the Orioles' dugout and the netting that protects well-seated fans from foul balls. Frequent visitors of the ballpark know the area simply as "Ellie's Place." Since the ballpark on West Camden Street opened, it is where the Orioles' beloved bullpen coach and the organization's biggest ambassador held court before games on so many days and so many nights. He tirelessly posed for pictures, signed autographs, delivered hugs and handshakes and shared stories from a baseball career that spanned 45 years, all but nine in an Orioles uniform.

The Orioles paid homage to their other Iron Man yesterday, saluting Elrod Hendricks on the start of his 30th season with the club. Cal Ripken was in second grade in 1968 when Hendricks joined the Orioles. Talk about tenure: The catcher-turned-coach has seen a generation come and go, including eight managers, four general managers, three owners and a ballpark.Ripken has played in 2,479 straight contests, but Hendricks has suited up for nearly twice as many Orioles games."That's a lot of national anthems," said Hendricks, honored on rTC Opening Day for his three decades in Baltimore, a club record.

The stoic Hall of Famer, the one with the icy glare and unnerving calm in baseball's most pressured situations, stood outside the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in a spitting rain yesterday contemplating his most difficult challenge. An hour earlier, Orioles legend Eddie Murray had spoken to a congregation of about 1,000 mourners, telling them how much Elrod "Ellie" Hendricks had meant to him. The intensely private Murray spoke from his heart, retelling amusing anecdotes about the former teammate who became his big brother.

August 18, 1972: The Orioles acquired Tommy Davis in a trade with the Cubs for Elrod Hendricks.

On Wednesday December 21, 2005, ELROD G. HENDRICKS beloved husband of Merle Hendricks (nee Jones) devoted father of Abigail Hendricks, Elrod Hendricks Jr., Elrod Hendricks, Berecia Smith, Ryan Hendricks and Ian Hendricks, beloved brother of Volmie Hendricks, Arthur Hendricks and Morse Hendricks and grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and any other relatives. Memorial services will be held Thursday December 29, 2005 at 11 A.M. at The Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, 5200 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD. Inquiries Loring Byers Funeral Directors Inc., 410-922-6400.

Miguel Tejada should have been upbeat and excited in the clubhouse after the Orioles' victory in Oakland on Aug. 17. Instead, the Orioles' star shortstop and emotional centerpiece was morose and combative with reporters. Even though the Orioles had just put themselves back into the playoff race by completing a surprising three-game sweep of the Oakland A's, Tejada seemed to grasp that his team was doomed. The normally ebullient All-Star showered quickly, put on a pinstriped suit, hid behind sunglasses and snapped at reporters, "Why do you want to talk to me?"

August 18, 1972: The Orioles acquired Tommy Davis in a trade with the Cubs for Elrod Hendricks.

Four days after admitting he used human growth hormone, Orioles outfielder Jay Gibbons said he has work ahead to win the fans back. Speaking at the team's annual Christmas party for a local elementary school, Gibbons also maintained he is done talking about the topic and his 15-day suspension from Major League Baseball "for now." "There really is not a whole lot more to say about it than what I told you the other day," Gibbons said. "[Fans] are going to react how they are going to react.

Elrod Hendricks' coaching legacy, love of baseball endure in son Ian When we last saw Ian Hendricks, he'd just thrown out the ceremonial first pitch at Camden Yards, the one that opened the Orioles' season. Rick Dempsey gave him a hug and the crowd stood in appreciation of Ian's father, Elrod Hendricks, the Orioles' longtime coach who died in December. Since then, Ian hasn't returned to Oriole Park. He can't. It's too hard. At the same time, though, he has never been closer to baseball.

Winning would solve ticket-selling problem Losing foments disillusionment. Disillusionment creates lack of interest. This is the most apt way I can describe what I see when the Boston Red Sox come to town and their fans take over Camden Yards. Let's dissect this further. When the Orioles were fielding winning teams a few years back, it was unusual to see more than a handful of opposing teams' fans at the ballpark. It's evident to me that many not-so-faithful Orioles season-ticket holders are more interested in putting their coveted tickets on eBay, to be scarfed up by willing Red Sox fans.

It was an appropriate sendoff. Elrod Hendricks was remembered fondly by his family, friends and former teammates in a heartfelt and spiritual memorial service yesterday that drew 1,000 mourners to the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen. What else would you expect for a man so loved and respected in this close-knit community? Well, if you want me to nit-pick, I would have expected more than one current member of the Orioles' 40-man roster to be in attendance for a ceremony to honor the memory of the guy who spent more time in an Orioles uniform than anyone else in franchise history.

The stoic Hall of Famer, the one with the icy glare and unnerving calm in baseball's most pressured situations, stood outside the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in a spitting rain yesterday contemplating his most difficult challenge. An hour earlier, Orioles legend Eddie Murray had spoken to a congregation of about 1,000 mourners, telling them how much Elrod "Ellie" Hendricks had meant to him. The intensely private Murray spoke from his heart, retelling amusing anecdotes about the former teammate who became his big brother.

The Baltimore Orioles, in conjunction with Purina, will hold a clinic for youngsters ages 6-13 Saturday at the Dallastown (Pa.) Community Park near York, Pa. Scheduled to appear from the Orioles are Jeff Ballard, Tim Hulett, Elrod Hendricks and Tom McCraw. All youngsters attending the clinic will receive an Orioles/Purina baseball cap. For more information, call 243-9800.

Orioles stuck between rock and hard place While reading about the Orioles' debacle with the Jeromy Burnitz deal, it struck me how ironic Miguel Tejada's recent tantrums and demands have become. Tejada is upset because the Orioles' front office hasn't strengthened the team. And yet one of Burnitz's issues relates to "uncertainties" about possible trades involving Manny Ramirez or other unknown stars. What a colossal mess. While I've been frustrated at the Orioles' seeming lack of aggressiveness in making deals, it's apparent the team has to choose between two mutually exclusive options in the American League East: (1)

On Wednesday December 21, 2005, ELROD G. HENDRICKS beloved husband of Merle Hendricks (nee Jones) devoted father of Abigail Hendricks, Elrod Hendricks Jr., Elrod Hendricks, Berecia Smith, Ryan Hendricks and Ian Hendricks, beloved brother of Volmie Hendricks, Arthur Hendricks and Morse Hendricks and grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and any other relatives. Memorial services will be held Thursday December 29, 2005 at 11 A.M. at The Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, 5200 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD. Inquiries Loring Byers Funeral Directors Inc., 410-922-6400.