Crappy Pro Makes Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame voting is over, and 6’9” Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Mark Hendrickson is a winner. That’s right, he’ll be inducted into the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Hall of Fame on April 18. What Hall did you think we meant?

In his professional career, Hendrickson has the indignity of being a two-sport debacle. From 1996-2000, he averaged 3.3 ppg in 114 NBA games. He started six times.

Hendrickson then decided to gave baseball a shot--he made it to the majors in 2002 as a pitcher, and has since compiled a 39-47 record. Though, in his stints with three teams, he has managed to keep his ERA below five (4.98).

Seattlest's fave team, the Dodgers, picked him up in late June of 2006, and Hendrickson promptly displayed the skills that would land him in the bullpen by September. In his first start, he gave up five runs and seven hits in just five innings. By early August, saying he was "ineffective" gave Hendrickson too much credit. His contribution to the bullpen's obvious season-ending weariness was undeniable. And he made the playoff roster only because another relief pitcher (fuckhead that he is) injured himself while drunk. His Dodger win total peaked at ONE. Now that's impressive.

Yeah, yeah, Hendrickson was a member of state championship baseball and basketball teams, and he was state player of the year.

Perhaps most memorable was Hendrickson’s hand in leading the 1992 Mt. Vernon basketball squad to a quarterfinal victory over Garfield’s ballers. In Seattlest Seth's mind, anyway. Even after 15 years he's unable to rationally discuss the game.

Hendrickson's star continued to rise while at WSU. And... then he went pro. Don't discount a bid for that other Hall, though. He’s been seing a renowned sports psychologist this off-season, and says he “can win a spot in the rotation.” Good luck with that, Hendy.

Oh, and congratulations.