More than three decades after establishing himself as the calmest and most reliable ninth-inning pitcher in baseball, former Toronto Blue Jays closer Tom Henke is now confronting a different kind of challenge: anxiety that has surfaced later in life.
Henke's Struggle with Anxiety
Henke, who was a cornerstone of the Blue Jays' championship teams, admits he no longer feels comfortable in large crowds, experiences claustrophobia, and avoids travel, particularly air travel. His doctor has suggested that his symptoms resemble Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), possibly stemming from the immense pressure of being a major league closer.
"My doctor thinks it's similar to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder," Henke said in a lengthy telephone conversation. "We had a long talk recently about it and it's almost like I was in the military or something like that. He said it's like PTSD and, for reasons we don't understand, it didn't show up with me until later in life. I'm seeing him. That's good. I'm taking some natural stuff to try and help me. It's a battle and it continues to be a battle."
Upcoming Visit to Toronto
Henke is planning to travel to Toronto next month to celebrate the 50th season of the Blue Jays. However, the 14-hour drive from his home in Missouri is a daunting prospect. "I had to plan this out and make sure all the details were taken care of," he explained. "How long will the trip be. We're going to spend a few weeks and visit some friends and family. And we're going to try and enjoy the festivities as best we can."
Henke's Legendary Career
Henke's arrival in Toronto in 1985 transformed the franchise. That season, the Blue Jays made their first playoff appearance and won 99 games. He remained with the team through 1992, when he was part of the historic bullpen that secured the franchise's first World Series championship. Henke finished his tenure in Toronto with 217 saves, nearly 100 more than any other pitcher in team history. Overall, he recorded 311 saves in 11 seasons as a closer, never enduring a poor season.
Reflecting on the role of a closer, Henke said, "Everything is on the line at the end of the game. Being a closer is like being a field goal kicker in football: You're either the hero or the goat. The guys that are most successful push things away and forget the bad stuff. I had the ability to do that. I always said that you had to have a short memory to succeed as a closer. And so much of it is all between the ears."
Advice for Current Players
Henke, who has not met Blue Jays pitcher Jeff Hoffman, expressed empathy for Hoffman's struggles in Game 7 of the World Series. "I felt for him," Henke said. "I could feel what he was feeling. You know what that's like. I'd like to tell him 'Hey, you were a big part of us being there. You were a big part of them being at the World Series.'" Henke also recalled a pivotal moment in his own career when Oakland manager Tony La Russa offered encouragement during a difficult 1989 season, telling him to ignore the media and get back to work. That advice helped Henke turn his season around and earn the team's pitcher of the year award.
Life After Baseball
Now 68, Henke remains involved in baseball through youth clinics and occasional appearances for the St. Louis Cardinals. He has 12 grandchildren and follows their games closely. Despite his past mental resilience, the stress of his career has caught up with him. "It's such a strong thing, the mental part of the game," Henke reflected. "I used to tell people I knew that when I got home after the season, it was like somebody rolled the house off my back. You could breathe again. The pressure was gone. But I got through it OK. There's no other job like closing in sports."
Henke credits his family, former teammates like Pat Borders, and his support system for helping him through the challenges. "A lot of support. That's helped me get through so much," he concluded.
