Elrod Hendricks passed away last night, one day before his 65th birthday.
Longest coach in Orioles history and Orioles Hall of Famer. There was also that phantom tag at home in the 1970 World Series against Cincinnati. I went to my first Orioles game in 1986, and at every game since that first one against Jack Morris and the Tigers, I can't remember a single game without this scene:
If you're were a kid looking for an autograph at Memorial Stadium and later Camden Yards, it's likely you have a half dozen or so Ellie Hendricks autographs. He was the ambassador for the team for years. Talking to fans, shaking hands, impressing the kids and treating Baltimore fans like royalty.
Every team can benefit from having a guy who loves his job, loves his team and loves his fans like Elrod Hendricks. Even in the last few frustrating seasons in Baltimore, he always had that signature smile stretching across his face. I was at the first game after his brief 18 game absence following a minor stroke early in the 2005 season, and when he tried to scoot out to the dugout a little earlier to avoid the fanfare, he was greeted by a standing ovation from the first base line box seats.
I know there aren't a whole lot of Orioles fans on here, but I wasn't sure how far this news would travel to you guys not within earshot of WBAL or local news.
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