Why? Because he's the best relief pitcher in team history. By a mile.

That's why.

I chose B.J. Ryan for the same reason I took Vernon Wells in the other poll - he's in the prime of his career right now. I mean, do you really trust a 49 year old Tom Henke to get the job done?

"do you really trust a 49 year old Tom Henke to get the job done?"

Yes.

Unless you had Kirk Gibson up there...in which case you could make a case for Ryan. 

I voted Tom.

Can we stipulate that Acker, Batista and Lavelle don't belong anywhere within 20 polls of this poll?  If Henke, Wardo and B.J. are the Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver of this poll, it's not like the aforementioned three are Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa.  More like Nipigon, Esquimalt and Tuktoyaktuk.

Henke's the best over his career, but Duane Ward was a stone killer in 1993.  Ryan needs five more months like his April to approach Ward for the best relief season in Jays history.

If I can have version 1993, I'd vote Ward.

I voted for Henke - he was my favorite Blue Jay for some time.  My first Blue Jays baseball memory is watching a game on TV with my grandfather.  "See this guy here coming in?  They call him the Terminator."  And he was awesome - I was hooked.

Still though, no Mark Eichhorn, 1986 edition in this poll?  157 innings of 1.72 ERA (ERA+ of 246), 14 wins and 10 saves... I'd probably still go with Henke, because he got it done for 11 straight seasons, but if we're picking only one season, Eichhorn's needs some consideration.

What happened to Henke? For some reason I thought after he left the Jays he had a few mediocre seasons and then faded away (though I knew he had a good first year in Texas), but in looking up his stats I noticed he had a awesome All-Star year for St. Louis and then retired...I can't recall why this happened. Anyone?

My overriding impression on Henke was that he was a nervous fellow. I know, I know, sample size and observation and all that, but I remember a couple very, very important games (I don't remember which specifically) that he came in to close and was very wild. So, given that, I'll take Ward.

I can't recall why this happened. Anyone?

Nothing really. He didn't need any more money, and he'd seen enough hotel rooms and airports for one lifetime.

I think far too many of you are voting for pitchers not named Tom Henke. It disturbs me!

Fun Henke facts - over his career, Henke averaged 9.81 K per 9 IP. This is better than every pitcher currently installed in the Hall of Fame, although Randy Johnson and Pedro Martinez will surely pass him by someday. Ryan's strikeout rate is even more impressive, and he's just as hard to hit - however, B.J. walks far, far more batters than Henke ever did.

Henke's 1.09 W+H/IP trails Addie Joss, Ed Walsh, and Pedro...

Hey, why would anyone vote for Paul  Quantrill? I loved the mighty Q - all-seeing, all-knowing - and I would be eager to have him in my bullpen. But he's just about the last guy I would want in this type of situation. Q was easy to hit - he was effective because he never gave up home runs, and never, never, never walked anyone. So while you could count on getting some hits against him, you always needed at least two or three hits to actually score a run. But with runners already on base... he's absolutely not the guy you want.

I remember a couple very, very important games... that [Henke] came in to close and was very wild. So, given that, I'll take Ward.

Fluke. Over their careers, Ward walked more batters than Henke in significantly fewer innings. Ward walked 4.3 batters per 9 innings, Henke walked 2.9 per 9.

In his 15 post-season games, Henke was 2-0, 1.83 with 5 saves. In 19 post-season games, Ward was 4-1, 4.74 with 4 saves.

I am not to be reasoned with on this matter, and I probably won't shut up until I see that #50 on the Level of Excellence at the RC. If then....

Tom Henke was (and perhaps still is) and Aqua Velva Man. That's gotta be held against him.

(And I'm a guy that's not ashamed to drink Pabst Blue Ribbon)

Hmm, I must be remembering an isolated set of games (I guess that's obvious). '85 post season maybe? Last few days of the '87 season?

Ward circa '93 was AWESOME!

He gets my vote.

Ryan needs to do it for a while yet.

 

Henke in his heyday--awesome. Later on he became hittable (as they all do).

Against a LHB I'm going with Ryan.

I didn't vote for Henke because I've never seen him record a save. Ever.

I didn't vote for Henke because I've never seen him record a save. Ever.

That's just like saying you'd pick Nefi Perez over Babe Ruth because you've seen Nefi hit more home runs.

Tom Henke's numbers compare similarly to Bruce Sutter. And he's a HOF'er. Case Closed.

Hey, I never said Henke wasn't the best choice! I agree Henke is awesome, but if I've never seen him as The Terminator, I don't really have a frame of reference. Just a B-Ref page with great numbers.

And I've actually seen footage of a Ruth homer while never seeing Neifi do it.

Against a righty, I'd have to go with The Terminator, however if it was a lefty I'd take BJ Ryan

I picked Ryan because of the crazy start he has had so far this year. That, and the guy absolutely thrives on high-pressure situations.

But if I was managing, it would depend on who's on the field. Henke would always be an excellent choice, with his high strikeout count, very low WHIP, and good control.

Duane Ward did make a few wild pitches, and that could easily score the tying run from 3rd. I wouldn't hesitate to start an inning with him, though.