Ellie Hendricks
From BR Bullpen
Elrod Gerome Hendricks
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 175 lb.
- Debut April 13, 1968
- Final Game September 19, 1979
- Born December 22, 1940 in Charlotte Amalie, V.I.
- Died December 21, 2005 in Baltimore, MD USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
Elrod Hendricks was signed by the Milwaukee Braves as a free agent in June 1959. Hendricks was assigned to the McCook Braves of the Nebraska State League, where he batted .235 (8-34) with 0 HR's and 3 RBI. He played for Williamsville in 1960, batting .235 with 11 HR's and 36 RBI. He was out of baseball for all of the 1961 season and was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals on November 21, 1961. In 1962, Hendricks played with the Winnipeg Goldeyes in the Northern League, and batted .211 with 3 HR's and 22 RBI. Hendricks remained with the Goldeyes in 1963, and batted .280 with 3 HR's and 12 RBI.
The Cardinals released Hendricks on June 13, 1963, and the Jalisco Charros in the Mexican League signed Hendricks right afterwards. In 1964, Hendricks batted .292 with 10 HR's and 45 RBI. Though in 1965, Hendricks blossomed and batted .285 with 35 HR's and 98 RBI and became known as the "Mexican Babe Ruth." In 1966, Hendricks continued to blossom and batted .301 with 23 HR's and 87 RBI. Hendricks also played with the AA El Paso Sun Kings of the Texas League following the end of the season and batted .268 (15-56) with 3 HR's and 12 RBI. In Hendricks last year with Jalisco in 1967, he had his best year ever, batting .316 with 41 HR's and 112 RBI. Hendricks also played with the California Angels' AAA team, the Seattle Angels and batted .222 (8-36) with 2 HR's and 4 RBI with them in 1967.
The Baltimore Orioles drafted Hendricks in the Rule V Draft from the Angels on November 28, 1967. Hendricks batted .202 with 7 HR's and 23 RBI in 1968 with the Orioles. Hendricks batted .244/.333/.383 with 12 HR's and 38 RBI in 1969. In 1970, Hendricks batted .242/.317/.382 with 12 HR's and 41 RBI. During the 1971 season, Hendricks batted .250/.334/.386 with 9 HR's and 42 RBI. Hendricks split the 1972 season with the Orioles, batting .155(13-84) with 0 HR's and 4 RBI before being traded to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Tommy Davis on August 18, and finished the year out with the Cubs batting .116(5-43) with 2 HR's and 6 RBI.
Following the end of the season, Hendricks was traded back to the Orioles for catcher Frank Estrada on October 27. In 1973, Hendricks batted .178 with 3 HR's and 15 RBI in 66 games. Playing more in 1974, Hendricks batted .208 with 3 HR's and 8 RBI in 66 games. Hendricks appeared in 85 games in 1975, and batted .215/.319/.377 with 8 HR's and 38 RBI. In 1976, Hendricks appeared in 28 games with the Orioles batting .139(11-79) with 1 HR and 4 RBI before being traded to the New York Yankees with pitchers Doyle Alexander, Jimmy Freeman, Ken Holtzman, and Grant Jackson for pitchers Dave May, Tippy Martinez, Dave Pagan, Scott McGregor, and catcher Rick Dempsey. Hendricks finished the year out with the Yankees batting .226(12-53) with 3 HR's and 5 RBI. In 1977, Hendricks spent most of the year with the AAA Syracuse Chiefs batting .281 with 11 HR's and 37 RBI, and only played 10 games with the Yankees going .273(3-11) with 1 HR and 3 RBI.
The Yankees let Hendricks go as a free agent after the 1977 season, and the Orioles signed Hendricks on November 23, 1977. By this time, Hendricks was a coach but was activated twice, once in 1978, as Orioles manager Earl Weaver activated Hendricks to replace outfielder Gary Roenicke (Hendricks batted .333 in 13 games), and then again in 1979 when Hendricks finished up his career, going 0-1 (.000) in 1 game. Hendricks also pitched in a 24-10 blowout loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in 1978, pitching two and one-third scoreless innings and giving up only one hit.
Hendricks finished his 12 year major league career with a career .220 average, 62 HR's and 228 RBI.
Elrod played in the Puerto Rico Winter League with the Santurce Crabbers.
[edit] Coaching Career
Following Hendricks full-time retirement from baseball, Hendricks maintained the role of Orioles bullpen coach which he started in 1978 and held until he was re-assigned by the Orioles after the end of 2005 season after suffering a mild stroke. In winter 2005, Hendricks died of a heart attack, one day before his 65th birthday.
[edit] Notable Achievement
- Won a World Series with the Baltimore Orioles in 1970
[edit] Further Reading
- Orioles Information And Record Book 2001
