Mark Hendrickson, Not Tulips, Pride of Mount Vernon

Before the 2007 season began, we said local Hall of Famer and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Mark Hendrickson sucked, silly HOF induction or not. And the stats don’t lie—he sucked. Yesterday, to our shit-eating chagrin, he proved he deserved the call … to replace sore Jason Schmidt in the Dodgers rotation.

After six scoreless innings on the hill at Chavez Ravine, Hendrickson’s got this line for the season: 27 IP, 24 Ks, 5 BB, 1.30 ERA. He struck out seven and gave up three hits, no runs. That’s All-Star stuff.

Was it his April 18 WIAA induction that changed everything? Was Lanky’s old successful spark reignited when he was honored for varsity glory? Or is Dr. Ken Ravizza to thank for getting the pitcher’s head straight? Either way, we’re pleased. And counting the days until both Mark Hendrickson and Jeff Weaver buck their luck and start pitching how they normally do: mediocre.

Image courtesy of Jeff Carlson, contributor to the Seattlest Flickr Pool.