Hendricks became famous in Game One of the 1970
World Series for a defensive play
that he didn't really make. Attempting to tag out
Bernie Carbo of the Reds in the
sixth inning after
Ty Cline hit a chopper in front of the plate, Hendricks collided
with umpire
Ken Burkhart while "tagging" Carbo with his mitt and holding the ball
in his throwing hand. The bowled-over Burkhart couldn't see the play and called Carbo
out. Hendricks had hit the game-tying HR in the previous inning. The next day, his
two-run double in the fifth inning drove in the winning runs; he had four RBI in
the Series.
The ever-smiling Hendricks was a favorite of Earl Weaver's for his
steady fielding and because lefthanded-hitting catchers were hard to come by. Twice
Baltimore traded and reacquired him. Hendricks had back-to-back 12 HR seasons in
1969-70 while platooning with Andy Etchebarren, but never started more than 95 games
in a season. The native Virgin Islander did lead AL catchers in fielding in 1969.
His .250 average in 1971 was a career high. He spent much of the 1980s as the Orioles'
bullpen coach.
(SH)
Ellie Hendricks
