Sad to see his career end this way. I'd been hoping for one last hurrah this season as a Blue Jay.

One of my all-time favourite Jays. He always left it all out on the field, to use a tired (but true) cliche.

Many felt it was time for you to go, including me; now that it's here I feel a surprising amount of sadness.

Thanks for the memories, Pat. You stand in great company.

Thanks for comin' out... enjoy the greenbacks.

Sad to see Pat go out on such a poor note.

But he was always a class act!

Pat always was and always will be one of my favourite Blue Jays.

While this season didn't go as any of us hoped, I'm glad to see him end his career as a Jay.

I figured me might have a more difficult time of it than he had last year but I didn't think he wouldn't make it through the season. He was just a pure gamer and I wish this year turned out better for him.

This is better than continuing to see Pat struggle but the Jays will still have a challenge filling that rotation spot with Halladay and Miller still hurt.

Farewell Pat.. tough season, but it takes nothing away from his place as one of the all time great Jays.

Is there any news on whether the Jays will be holding a ceremony to honour Hentgen's contributions to the organization in some way? Also, is there any news on who will take Hentgen's spot in both the rotation on the 25-man roster? I would assume that it's probably Sean Douglass or Jason Kershner.

Should we expect a roster move today? Sean Douglas has been improving in Syrcause, he as

Thanks, Pat.

Thanks for taking over for Dave Stieb.

Thanks for striking out 14 Royals.

Thanks for getting out of that bases loaded, no out jam with strikeouts.

Thanks for 1996.

Thanks for coming home.

Good luck.

IMO, Blue jays should bring him next season as a pitching coach. What r your thoughts?

Alas, most baseball careers end in ignominous fashion.

Hentgen retires with 131 wins, an ERA+ of about 108, a Cy Young award and three All-Star appearances. A fine career.

Kris,

Tom Cheek (great to hear ya back, Tom!) mentioned that as well shortly after they honoured Hentgen on the Jumbotron. Pat would make a great pitching coach. Maybe not next year with the Jays, but I am sure down the road a piece we might see him back in town in that role.

When I think of Pat Hentgen I think of someone who wore his heart on his sleeve

When I think of Pat Hentgen I think of game3 of the 1993 World Series and Hentgen loading the bases and then striking out the side in the first inning

When I think of Pat Hentgen I think of a class guy.

Thanks for the memories Pat.

Thanks for striking out 14 Royals.

That was a great game. Hentgen was untouchable and won 1-0. Kevin Appier pitched nearly as well but took the loss. The look on Appier's face while he was sitting in the dugout after the game was one of total defeat. He looked as if he could get hit by a truck and his day would actually improve.

Here's the box score from Retrosheet.

He struck out the side, but me Grimlock's recollection of Game 3 is that he struck out Dykstra to start the inning, then the next two reached to make it 2nd and 3rd with one out. He then struck out the next two guys to end the inning. Not as dramatic as "loading the bases, then striking out the side" but high drama and a great moment nonetheless.

The 1996 run to the Cy Young was a high point to an otherwise forgettable season. That, and Juan Guzman's ERA title!

Re: Pat Hengten

It is sad to see the end of a remarkable career but this year we did not see the Hengten that we were used to seeing. He said that leaving the Jays was his own decision, and my respect for him is even greater for knowing it was time and for acting on it.

We have watched him win 2 World Series as well as a Cy Young.

They have to put his number up on the wall of fame with the other heroes of yesteryear.

I wish Pat Hentgen a happy retirement. He leaves fans with nothing but fine memories, despite a difficult final season as a Jay.

Instead of the A-Rod / Jeter Dollar Bill I was going to make for the Yankees series, I think maybe I should put together a banner of Hentgen's name and number and we should sneak into the level of excellence and put it up on the wall with the rest of them.

Who's in with me?

Thanks Pat....
I wish you could have been who you wanted to be this year...

When I look at your numbers this year, I care more about how frustrated you must be with them, than I do the the impact on the team...

to real gamer!
Best wishes

Pat, best wishes in retirement.

I, along with so many others, will never forget his time as a Blue Jay, especially 1993 and 1996, as have been mentioned above. While this year was dissapointing for him, it will not diminish the memories we have of him from his first term with the Blue Jays. Also, he showed the utmost dignity in suffering through a sub-par season, as he was almost willing to speak candidly with the media about his performance.

Thanks for everything Pat.

One of the greatest Jays (in terms of talent AND character) to ever don the Blue and White (and silver, and black, and grey...).Your gracious departure just exudes class, hope we didnt jinx you with the Hentgen for closer sign. Hope to see him come back one day as a pitching coach and member of the level of Excellence.

NFH: Let me dust off my ninja suit and you've got yourself a plan!

Let Operation Excellence begin AsAp.

But dont give up on the dollar bill sign, that's still gold.

Pat Hentgen retires with a record of 131-112, and a 4.32 ERA, and a million happy memories in the fans' collective recall. Thanks Pat.

I started following baseball in the dark ages of the mid '90s - Pat Hentgen was my first favorite Jay. Thanks to Pat for all the memories of a great competitor and a good guy, and all the best in retirement.

NFH, the duct tape is absolutely coming to the Dome on Monday.

Pat was, for me, the face of the Blue Jays during the 90's. I know there were better Jays players, but none who gave more of himself every time he was given the ball. I wish I could be there when the Jays honor him, and I hope they do that with the Level of Excellence - he deserves it.

Thanks for all the great memories, Pat.

I remember Pat's, Cy year. High heat!

If they'd called the "high strike" in the early nineties there is no telling what Pat could have done.

You may be gone but you won't be forgotten. Thanks for the memories.

Hentgen was a terrific Blue Jay but me Grimlock don't know if he is Level of Excellence worthy. Not while Jimmy Key and Tom Henke aren't on it.

I still remember the first time I saw him pitch. It was the last day of the '91 season, and i was thinking, "Who is this guy?" I'm glad we all had 13 years to find out.

Thanks for all the memories, Pat. It was such a simple concept - high heat and low curves - and you made the most of it.

Thanks for everything Pat!

That was a very interesting day at the ballpark, one I won't ever forget. Robert and I got there several hours before game time because we had arranged an interview with Dave Bush. That went very well, by the way, and should be posted by Tuesday or Wednesday. Dave told us there was a team meeting at 1:00, so we knew something was up, either a trade or Hentgen's retirement.

When the players emerged from the clubhouse, it was confirmed, and the press conference announced. In the next 30 minutes, cameras, microphones, lights and reporters appeared out of nowhere, and a surprisingly large crowd gathered in the corridor outside the clubhouse. I was as impressed with the organizational efforts of the Jays' communications department as I was with the class and dignity of the brief ceremony.

Pat looked tired and sounded emotional, but he kept it together. His words have been reported elsewhere, but my overwhelming impression was that he's relieved. He wanted so badly to make a contribution, and it was eating away at him that he couldn't, no matter how hard he worked.

It was an honour to be standing just a few feet away from one of my favourite Jays as he closed the book on a wonderful career. I know he'll be successful at whatever he chooses to do next, and I wish him and his family nothing but happiness. Thanks for everything, Pat.

Thanks Pat 4 a great career. You represent everything the BlueJays stand for, and are an excellent ambassador for our wonderful city.

I too am very sad to see Pat go, but seeing him go as a Blue Jay is bittersweet. We all love you Pat! Thanks for all the memories!