Toronto Blue Jays All-Time Roster

Toronto Blue Jays all-time roster: Closer – Tom Henke (1985-1992)

Tom Henke grew up in a town of about 900 people. Nonetheless, he managed to go on to be one of the more dominant closers of his era.

Stolen from the Texas Rangers organization as a free agent compensation pick, Henke really came into his own with the Blue Jays. Already 27 years old in his first full season in the Majors, Henke quickly took over as the Blue Jays closer, a spot he would hold for the rest of his time in Toronto. At 6’5″ and possessing a hard fastball and devastating forkball, he cut quite the imposing figure on the mound.

The Blue Jays all-time leader in saves, Henke was the seventh pitcher in MLB history to reach the 300 save plateau. With Toronto, he posted a 2.48 ERA and a 1.025 WHiP, recording 217 saves. He struck out 644 batters in 563 innings, issuing only 166 walks. Ironically, the reason why the Rangers gave up on Henke was due to his 20 walks in 28.1 innings in 1984.

In a way, one could consider Henke one of the first of the current breed of closer. He was a strikeout artist, capable of mowing down the side to notch the save. He may have had impeccable command, but he also struck out over a batter per inning at a time when such pitchers were an anomaly.

Despite making only one All-Star Game during his time in Toronto, Tom Henke was one of the top closers in baseball during his peak. Not bad for a pitcher that the Blue Jays essentially picked up from the scrap heap.

Next: Another hard thrower from a small town