Tom Henke turns 68 today—a reminder of just how much time has passed since many of the great Blue Jays of the past took the mound.
The Toronto Blue Jays acquired Henke as compensation after the Texas Rangers signed Jays free agent Cliff Johnson, back when free agency often functioned like a forced trade. In hindsight, the deal worked out spectacularly for Toronto and disastrously for Texas. The Jays landed the superior player and later reacquired Johnson anyway, effectively getting Henke for little more than a brief rental.
Henke joined the major league club in late July 1985 and immediately made an impact. Over 28 appearances, he recorded 13 saves with a 2.03 ERA across 40 innings—an outstanding introduction that even earned him MVP and Rookie of the Year votes, surprising given his limited workload.
In 1986, Henke became Toronto’s full-time closer and delivered a record-setting season with 27 saves, followed by another nine, while posting a 3.35 ERA in 63 games. Alongside Mark Eichhorn, he formed one of the league’s most effective late-game duos. The following year was even better: Henke set a new franchise record with 34 saves, struck out 128 batters in 94 innings, earned All-Star honors, and received MVP consideration once again.
The late 1980s saw Henke continue his excellence while sharing duties with Duane Ward, forming what may have been the best relief tandem in Blue Jays history. In 1989, Henke posted a stellar 1.92 ERA as Toronto captured another AL East title, though the season ended in an ALCS loss to the Oakland A’s.
Henke remained a dominant force into the early 1990s, regularly surpassing 30 saves while maintaining elite run prevention. In 1992—his final season with the Jays—he played a pivotal role in Toronto’s first World Series championship, recording 34 saves in the regular season and five more in the postseason.
After the championship run, Henke departed as a free agent and signed with the Texas Rangers, later finishing his career with the St. Louis Cardinals. He retired with 311 career saves, ranking among the top closers of his era.
Nicknamed “The Terminator,” Henke was the first true elite closer in Blue Jays history. Standing 6’5” with a powerful fastball, forkball, and slider, he intimidated hitters and delivered consistently. His career strikeout rate even surpassed that of Nolan Ryan, a remarkable achievement.
Henke remains the Blue Jays’ all-time saves leader with 217, a record that appears secure for the foreseeable future. His legacy places him firmly among the franchise’s greats—and he belongs on the club’s Level of Excellence.
Happy Birthday, Terminator. Few players have ever been more enjoyable to watch.
