The following piece, which details the life and times of Elrod "Ellie" Hendricks and calls for his number to be retired was written and published in December 2005:

"Baseball Mourns Passing of Gentle Giant"

To his retired teammates he was known as “the Babe Ruth of Mexico.” To his longtime friends like Baltimore Oriole Traveling Secretary Phil Itzoe, former Oriole baseball team manager Ray Miller, and former Oriole slugging first baseman Lee May, he was simply “dude.” To his children Ryan, Ian, Abigail, Elroy, Berecia, and Elrod Jr., he was simply “pops.” Elrod Gerome Hendricks, veteran Oriole baseball player and bullpen coach, has passed into the legions of immortality at the age of 65.

More than a thousand family members, friends, former teammates, present players, and local/national dignitaries to include Mayor Martin O’Malley and Kweisi Mfume lined the dark oak pews of the world renowned Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore Maryland on Thursday, December 29, 2005 to pay tribute this larger than life gentle giant.

Those who attended Hendrick’s memorial service were blessed with a remarkably inspiring and at various times humorous biography of a caring and joyous mortal who unconditionally loved his family, friends, and community and who always placed the needs and desires of others before his own. This most recent assertion was articulately reflected in the words of Hendrick’s son, United States Air Force Judge Advocate General, Captain Ryan Hendricks. “While my father spent most of his life playing and coaching the game of baseball,” said the choked up Hendricks while standing proudly before the mourning, “he exemplified the Air Force core values that I cherish: Integrity, Service before self and Excellence in all we do.” When you read Hendrick’s obituary, you too will agree with the Captain's statement.

This Obituary states:

Elrod, “Ellie” Hendricks was born December 22, 1940 to Berecia Callender and Arthur Hendricks in St. Thomas, US [Virgin Islands]. He spent his childhood in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas with his brothers Volmie Hendricks, Arthur Hendricks, and Morse Hendricks. He departed this life on December 21, 2005 having thoroughly enjoyed life to the fullest while leaving behind a rich legacy of family, lasting friendships, and wonderful memories.

After graduating from Charlotte Amalie High School, Ellie left St. Thomas with hopes of having a career in baseball. After being “discovered” by Hank Aaron in a traveling exposition, he was signed by the Milwaukee Braves as an amateur free agent in 1959. He spent several years playing minor league baseball for various teams throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Mexico, where he was known as the “Babe Ruth of Mexico,” after hitting 109 homers in four seasons. In an era where million dollar signing bonuses were unheard of, Ellie fondly recalled the days when his extraordinary batting conquests in the minor leagues were rewarded only with steak dinners.

In 1968, Ellie began his 12 season career in the major leagues as a Baltimore Oriole. Ellie was eternally grateful to his "big-league daddy" Earl Weaver who, after managing him in Puerto Rico, insisted that the Orioles draft him. He played in each of the O's AL pennant-winning seasons of '69, 70, 71. In 24 post-season games, he compiled a .273 batting average with 18 hits, 2 home runs, 4 doubles, and 10 RBI. His career fielding percentage was .990 with 41 percent of base run­ners thrown out. He also has the distinctive honor of having the lowest ERA for a catcher (0.00, after pitching two and one-third scoreless innings in 1979). Ellie wore the Orioles uniform for a record 37 seasons, and except for a brief period of 1 1/2 years when he played for the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs, he served his entire career in the black and orange Orioles uni­form. He exemplified "The Oriole Way" of winning through a combination of baseball smarts, sound fundamentals, and a roster full of useful and unselfish role players.

In 1977, Ellie began a new career as bullpen coach for the Baltimore Orioles, putting his wisdom to work for younger players. He twice served as a player/coach while serving under 10 different man­agers. He was twice named as a coach to the American League All-Star team. In all, he spent 45 seasons in professional baseball. He never failed to take time before every game (even away games) to sign autographs and talk to fans. Oriole fans loved him. In fact, baseball fans across the nation, regardless of allegiance, adored him. Ellie's off-field achievements and civic contributions were numerous and legendary. The Baltimore Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, named Ellie "Man of the Year" in 1983. In 1987 and again in 1988, he was named Man of the Year by the Special Olympics, one of Ellie's favorite charities. His involvement with the Special Olympics preceded and followed these awards by several years. He also received the first Jack Dunn Memorial Service Award, named after the late Orioles executive, in January 1988. In 1989, Ellie was chosen Man of the Year by the Oriole Advocates. In 1992, the Orioles created an organizational award in his name for the players whose level of community involvement was worthy of special recognition. In 1993, he was recognized by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Maryland for the advancement of Hispanics in Maryland. In 1995, the Orioles presented Ellie the Iron Man Award. The Fullwood Foundation honored Elrod by naming him Volunteer of the Year. In 2001, Ellie was the first person ever named to the Orioles Baseball Hall of Fame while still active in his position with the team. He was one of the most pop­ular personalities ever to wear an Orioles uniform. In 2002, the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame named Ellie the Most Proactive Coach for his contributions to the Baltimore community. He was also honored by the Sports Boosters of Maryland in November 2002. He was a dedicated sup­porter of Santa Claus Anonymous for many years. He was twice honored by Acts of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands proclaiming "Elrod Hendricks Day." Far too numerous to be listed here, other awards and recognitions bestowed upon Ellie were accepted with equal humility, grace, and pride.

Ellie contributed to many humanitarian efforts throughout his life. During the off-season, Ellie served as community representative and the Oriole’s primary public speaker. For over 20 years, Ellie funded youth league baseball camps. He never missed a year playing Santa for the children at the Oriole’s Annual Party. Even within a week of his passing, he was busy donning Santa’s black boots, red suit, and white beard, while distributing gifts to disadvantaged inner city school children.

January 14, 1970, marked one of the single most important occasions in his life: the day he married his wife Merle. Merle and Ellie were blessed with two sons: Ryan, born August 3, 1972 and Ian, born November 28, 1976. Ellie was also graced with four children by a previous marriage: Abigail, born July 13, 1962, Elrod Jr., born April 7, 1964, Elroy, October 1, 1965 and Berecia, born August 25, 1967. Ellie and Merle have been loyal residents of the Randallstown, Maryland area for the past 35 years.

Elrod Hendricks is survived by his beloved wife Merle; his children, Ryan Hendricks, Ian Hendricks, Abigail Hendricks, Elrod Hendricks Jr., Elroy Hendricks and Berecia Smith; his three brothers Volmie Hendricks, Arthur Hendricks and Morse Hendricks; several grandchildren, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends whom he considered family. He possessed a rare gift of true caring and genuine love for his fellow man. He was a ‘once in a lifetime’ kind of person who graces our world with the kind of unconditional love for his fellow man that only the most honest can exemplify – a purity of spirit.

And now, as Elrod, “Ellie” Hendricks gazes back at the world he once walked with his usually glowing smile, and waves good-bye to all he loved before passing into the realms of eternity, it is time living souls take a brief moment to thank him for all he has done to make this world a better place. Furthermore, it is time for mothers and fathers in pursuit of role-models for their children to embrace him. It also is time that national sporting media members place their oftentimes scandalous and sensational pens down upon their desks and pick up a more humane pen and write a feature story about Hendricks that proves to the youth of this nation who flock to their websites that they too can reach the pinnacle of stardom without compromising their integrity, selflessness, and excellence. Finally, it is time that Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos do the right thing and retire Hendrick’s jersey once the gentle spring breeze returns to Camden Yards on opening day.

It is the least they could do for a man who positively touched the hearts and minds of so many people throughout the world.

END OF ARTICLE

As thousands of Oriole fans now know, opening day came and went in Baltimore without Angelos and Company paying proper tribute to Ellie Hendricks by retiring his number. This cannot stand.

Therefore at 5:00 on 05 March 2006, I formally launch this petition to Peter Angelos and Company, calling for them to do the right thing.

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For more information on the Ellie Hendricks
sitation please go to the following articles

"Elrod's widow can't forget: 'Fact is they broke his heart, by John Eisenberg

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-sp.eisenberg04apr04,0,7275949.column?coll=bal-sports-baseball

"O's should do the right thing, retire Hendricks' number," by John Eisenberg

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-sp.eisenberg31mar31,0,7669162.column?coll=bal-sports-headlines

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