Hendrickson's waiting for an invite from Cal
Mark Hendrickson played in the NCAA tournament with Washington State University. The Philadelphia 76ers selected him in the second round of the 1996 NBA draft. He spent time with four teams in four seasons. He's one of 11 athletes to play in the NBA and Major League Baseball.
Now he'd like to crash Cal Ripken's pick-up games.
Ripken runs highly-competitive games in his home gym. If you can't hang, don't bother showing up.
Hendrickson was clued in by former Orioles shortstop Mike Bordick while they were teammates in Toronto. Bordick said he wasn't allowed to play in the A games because he wasn't good enough.
I remember hearing years ago how Ryan Minor, an All-American basketball player at the University of Oklahoma and another second-round pick of the 76ers, didn't leave much of an impression in Ripken's gym. The standards are pretty high.
ESPN's Tim Kurkjian is allowed to play because he's an outstanding point guard. That might surprise a few people, but I'm told he's got serious game.
Before I sign off and head outdoors, where the wind gusts have probably moved my car to a new parking spot, I want to give a shout-out to Duke University associate athletic director Jon Jackson, a Penn State grad who is a huge Orioles fan and has this blog bookmarked.
Thanks for reading, Jon.
Have you ever pitched? If so, I can pass along a phone number to an office on the third floor of the warehouse. Someone might be interested in talking to you.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
Would Josh Vitters, Nate Spears, Mitch Atkins, Jordan Latham or Brian Schlitter or Dae-Eun Rhee get it done or is that too much for Roberts
Roch-
Why not try to get Lowe? It seems to be that he will be cheaper than originally thought and would bring a nice vetern presence for a couple years?
In response to a "More about Henderson" post...
matt said
"roch we need to know more about this jap is it in the works or what?"
Did you really just say "jap?" Really?? Maybe you did not consider how offensive that is, how closed-minded, internment camps in the U.S during WWII that is. In this day in time when we have elected our first non-Anglo Saxon president, did you REALLY just say "jap?"
(BTW, I am neither Asian, nor someone who voted for our President-elect.)
in case anyone around the Rochosphere is looking for the MLB network in their area and your cable company is less than helpful ("I'm sorry ma'am, which network? I don't have a listing for The Applebee Network...")...
http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?view=article&catid=48:ei-mlb-network&id=2729:channel-listings-in-some-major-markets-for-mlb-network&tmpl=component&print=1&page=
Or what about Aaron Poreda, Chris Getz, Brandon Allen, and Jon Link would that get it done
I don't think Minor left much of an impression with the Orioles, or any other baseball team either...
Happy New Year (slightly early)!
Roch, Happy New Year and many thanks for the humor and industry you devote to this site. Both the journalism and the wit are much appreciated. Thanks again. Have the best year yet.
I'm counting 12 beanpoles who played in the NBA and MLB, not surprisingly as either pitchers, 1Bs, or occasional left-side IFs . It's truly an odd list (check out wiki.answers.com, which adds on big guys who played in the NBL like Lou Boudreau and one ABL vet). Among the MLB/NBA honor roll are "Rifleman" Chuck Connors, expansion-era Jays' misfit Danny Ainge, later to become NBA exec of the year, and MVP SS Dick Groat, who was a surprisingly good contact hitter with gapper power, besides being a fine fielder for his era. And I always thought Dave DeBusschere should've kept on pitching. But Ainge, maybe Cotton Nash, and especially Hendrickson deserve some extra respect for hanging on as slow white guys in the "modern" NBA; the other 9 were there when it was still evolving from semi-pro workers' leagues and still had a place for off-season jocks with versatility or varsity letters in their collegiate days (e.g., Gene Conley of the early 60's Celts). I'd be really impressed to find an ABA/MLB or even an ABA/MiLB combo somewhere.
Roch,
Are you good enough to play with cal? And HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Happy New Year Roch! :)
Have you seen Cal lately? I love the guy, but it doesn't look like he has spent too much time in the gym lately.
4 straight blogs on Hendrickson? Man the Orioles are getting sad.
Roch- Have you heard, or can you ask Andy, is there any interest in Giambi? Probably better than Huff at 1st. Huge OPS. 1 year with an option and he would be here 2morrow. They say how he is looking for a 1 year deal. He could be decent. With our On Base guys, he could drive in 100. The flag court would be very busy with Cakes, Huff, Scott, and Giambi. 110 HRs? 120?
People , this is the only place in town where you can get inside info like this------Roch=rocks.........
How is your basketball game Roch , do you play with the 'A' team ?
Roch,
I'm disappointed that you approved a recent comment (on the last posting) from a reader who used an ethnic slur on the Japanese pitcher. I'm sure a similar slur wouldn't be allowed against other races and this one shouldn't have been posted either.
I know many times I'm annoyed with too much political correctness but I don't think this is one of the cases.
And NO I'm not Japanese, or have close friends who are, it is just a proper thing to do.
Thanks
Rich
Roch,
Forget about banning the use of "McFail". Even better would be if we could ban Jack. We're all getting pretty sick of his inane drivel.
i know ryan personnally and thats not what i've been told. Cal still calls for him to come up. Minor is no joke on the wood 6'8 and now probally 280 unmovable. Go shorebirds!!!!
Wasn't he selected to and olmypic team I'm pretty sure he told me that.
soory rich i'm not a strong speller didn't mean anything by it. U try to spell his name.
Roch,
I want to first wish you and your family a Happy New Year!
Despite disagreeing with your writing style occassionally, I still think you are the BEST and most dedicated sports person in town!
Ok...now back to the Orioles. Lets start off the New Year by trading Roberts! I find it hard to believe that Huff is not being sought after by a few teams looking for a power bat for the middle of the lineup. If we can find a team to give us a decent return, trade him. Are we in a rebuilding mode or a "sort of" mode? Again, Ole Andrew McFAIL surely has failed with the communication of his secretive operation!
Funny thing about the Hendrickson acquisition. It never made it to MLB.com. The O's are touting it as "a trade to stabilize the pitching" That is truly laughable and just another propaganding tool for them to try and make it look like something is happening.
I hear they are also low balling the japanese pitcher. No major health issues and they are trying to pull the wool over his head by giving him an incentive laiden contract....Way to go McFAIL! This should give a good impression on his "soon to be" japanese counterparts.
Is there a sports reporter that sugar coats articles more then Spencer Forbid. This guy is truly an embarrassment to journalism. Is he related to McFAIL or Ole Peter? The O's could sign a pitcher who is on the operating table and he would sugar coat the signing into the next Cy Young......what a mess!