RIP Phil Hennigan, 1946-2016

[G-Fafif]

In another one of those not immediately reported or detected situations, it has been learned that Phil Hennigan, relief pitcher for the 1973 Mets, passed away on June 17 in Center, Texas.

[Edgy MD]

It's unclear from that short obit whether Hennigan served in Vietnam (or "Vietman" as they write), or merely served during the conflict.

I try and keep track of such things, but there are a lot of Mets who did service during this time (Wayne Garrett, Mike Jorgensen) in which the nature of their service is unclear.

I know Rich Folkers served in-country. And so did Jim Bibby, but the Mets traded him off before his MLB debut.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I remember seeing his 1973 baseball card and thinking, "WHO?"

I had no recollection of him appearing in a Mets game, and it's not like I wasn't paying attention either.

[MFS62]

RIP, Phil.
I don't remember much about you as a Met, but I salute your service.

Later

[Benjamin Grimm]

[Benjamin Grimm]

Strange that the obituary didn't even mention that he was a major league baseball player.

Phil was the UMDB number one lookup on April 1, 2016. I wonder what prompted that?

[G-Fafif]

His service is outlined here.

Mr. Hennigan served in the Army from 1966-1968 with one tour in Vietnam. He received the Sharpshooter badge (rifle), Vietnam Service Ribbon w/Bronze Star, and several other decorations. After being honorably discharged from the Army, Mr. Hennigan had a career as a major league pitcher with the Cleveland Indians and the New York Mets. After leaving baseball, he joined the Texas DPS for five years, and the Shelby County Sheriff's Department. He then joined the Center Police Department, from which he retired in 2012, after 40 years in law enforcement.

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

He's got an interesting line with the 1973 Mets -- 0-4 with a 6.23 ERA, but 3 saves in 30 games, finishing 17 games. I know closers are used differently today, but was he filling in for Tug for a while or something?

We traded Bob Rauch and Brent Strom for him. As I kid I forever thought his name was "Storm" until looking more closely one day.

[Edgy MD]

Two of his saves came in his first two appearances, before it was clear his season (and ultimately, his career) was going south. The third and last one came on June 12, while his ERA was still in the low threes.

Then came the ugly finale that awaits most every ballplayer not named Papi. He would give up 20 earned runs in 15 1/3 innings over the next three weeks before his final career appearance on July 7. But hey, I bet he still got a World Series share.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I don;t remember him at all, but he was the last guy to wear 34 before Bob Apodaca who I still think of first when I think of guys who wore 34.

[Zvon]

Bummer. I remember his 73 airbrushed Topps card more than anything I recall about him.

I'd make a memorial card but there are no decent photos of him out there.

RIP Mr. Hennigan.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Strange that the obituary didn't even mention that he was a major league baseball player. Phil was the UMDB number one lookup on April 1, 2016. I wonder what prompted that?

I'm guessing a bunch of wise asses at some baseball site got the crazy idea that it would be fun to see if they could make some obscure Met the most popular look up on UMDB. No, that can't be it, no one could be that bored.