RetroSimba

Pat Hentgen played one season for the Cardinals, but his impact on the franchise has been significant and long-lasting.

It was Hentgen who recommended the Cardinals sign Mike Matheny, a free agent, to a contract in December 1999. The Cardinals were looking for a backup to catcher Eli Marrero.

Matheny signed a one-year deal for $800,000, leapfrogged Marrero to become the starting catcher in 2000 and remained the Cardinals’  primary catcher for five seasons, helping St. Louis to four postseason appearances and their first National League pennant in 17 years.

After the 2011 season, Matheny became the Cardinals’ manager, replacing Tony La Russa, who retired after 16 years with St. Louis.

Hentgen, a right-handed starting pitcher who won the American League Cy Young Award in 1996, was acquired by the Cardinals from Toronto in November 1999 along with pitcher Paul Spoljaric in a trade for catcher Alberto Castillo and pitchers Lance Painter and Matt DeWitt.

Matheny had been Hentgen’s teammate with Toronto in 1999. Though Matheny hit just .215 in 57 games as the backup to Blue Jays starting catcher Darrin Fletcher, he made a lasting impression on Hentgen because of his arm, defense, leadership and handling of a pitching staff.

In an article in May 2000, the Associated Press reported how Hentgen helped bring Matheny to St. Louis.

Matheny is making Pat Hentgen a great judge of talent. Hentgen and Matheny were teammates in Toronto and the Cardinals signed Matheny to back up Eli Marerro largely at the urging of Hentgen.

“He was pretty vocal about it. He was on my side,” Matheny said. “That’s just the ultimate compliment _ when a pitcher with as much experience and success as Pat has had thinks that highly of me to put his name on the line.”

Matheny had a stellar start for St. Louis in 2000. He batted .313 in April and threw out 15 of the first 22 baserunners who attempted to steal.

When Marrero tore a ligament in his left thumb on July 1, the Cardinals had little help behind Matheny. A couple of weeks later, Matheny cracked a rib but continued to play. He wore a flak jacket and had his chest taped before every game.

Gritty determination was one element of Matheny’s leadership style. He also displayed respect and selflessness when the Cardinals acquired first baseman Will Clark from the Orioles on July 31, 2000.

For most of his 15-year big-league career, Clark had worn uniform No. 22 _ the same number worn by Matheny in his seven seasons in the major leagues. Matheny offered the number to Clark as a welcome to the Cardinals, asking for nothing in return. Clark was touched by the gesture. Matheny switched to uniform No. 44.

“It’s just a number,” Matheny told The Sporting News in September 2000. “I don’t see the big deal.”

Matheny hit .261 with 47 RBI _ at the time, both career highs _ in 128 games for the 2000 Cardinals. He sat out the postseason after he accidently severed two tendons and a nerve in his right ring finger while using a hunting knife he received as a 30th birthday gift. Matheny threw out 49 of 93 baserunners attempting to steal that year and received the NL Gold Glove Award.

Hentgen had a 15-12 record and 4.72 ERA in 33 starts for the Cardinals. He became a free agent after the 2000 season and signed with the Orioles.