Before she passed, my grandmother used to go to the autograph signings that Elrod, Boog and Brooks did. All three of them always remembered her and treated her so well.

One signing I went with her and I brought a baseball encylopedia that had a picture of Elrod at the plate when the winning run scored in Game 7 for the Pirates in the '71 Series. I gingerly asked Elrod if he would sign on that picture. He took a look at it, shows it to Boog and says "Remember that?" Brooks and Boog look at it and Boog with a half-grin, half grimace just said "Yeah, I do!" and they all got a giggle out of it. Elrod signed right on the picutre with that smile.

I always took that book with me to games and about a year and half later I was at the Metrodome for an O's game in right field near the O's bullpen. Elrod was walking and by and I waved and called his name. He seemed pretty surprised and came over. He saw I had the book in my hand and somehow remembered my right away. After we talked for a minute, he took the book to the bullpen and had Lee Smith and Mark Eichhorn sign it for me and I didn't even ask.

From the time I moved back to the area and went to O's games, I usually always sat in the bleachers near the bullpen. Elrod would be taking that familiar walk in pre-game, I'd call out his name and he'd always wave and smile.

I will forever remember him for being such a class guy and he treated me and especially my grandmother. A guy like that would never have to take the time of day for a Joe Schmo like me but he did.

Miss ya, Elrod. Sitting in the bleachers isn't the same without you. God bless.

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Great story. Thanks Mark

Elrod will never be replaced, and the bullpen will never be the same without him. If they will not retire his number, they should at least have something in the bullpen to remember him.

Gosh, it is definitely hard to believe Elrod has been gone 5 years. He was and always will be one of my favorite Orioles. I didn't get to come to too many games being from out of state, but I could always count on Elrod to sign an autograph for me when I was young and for my boys when I brought them to the ball park. He took the time to sign and to talk and was a great man.

He is dearly missed but will live on in our memories!

Two things come to mind about Elrod.

1) That photo of him from the '70 World Series, tagging out a runner with his glove while the ball is clearly in his bare hand. A good omen for the series.

2) That no current Oriole except Melvin Mora attended Elrod's funeral.

The reason Mora will always be special in my mind.

Thanks for reminding us of the day 5 years ago, Dan.

Definitely reminds us of why we love the Orioles. Players and coaches like him are why we still take pride in our team.

Similarly, no Orioles player has worn #7 since Ripken, Sr died. I think 7 and 44 are unofficially retired, or retired without a the markers at the stadium.

One thing I will always remember about Elrod is the final game at Memorial Stadium. Of all the O's greats that came back for the postgame ceremony (after an emotionally draining drubbing at the hands of the Tigers), Elrod received one of the loudest ovations. Even as a kid, that moment made me realize how important history is to this ballclub, and how important a piece Elrod played. Elrod was a class act in all respects. He is missed, but his memory, and his contributions to the team live on.

I am 12 yeras old at a very cold night game at Fenway. Us kids are all gathered around the dugout just waiting for a chance to get anyones autograph. We all think maybe Palmer, Brooks or Frank. Twenty-five man roster and the only guy who pops out of the dugout is "Hot Rod". Signs every last one of our autographs and tells us we should all be home staying home. That would never happen of course because I loved my Orioles when they came up to Boston and ecspecially Elrod. RIP.

Elrod was my neighbor for about 5 years. I missed him when he moved and I miss him now. We need more Elrods.

We need more of the Elrod types... not just on the team, but in life. He IS, the Oriole way....

Nice to remember a good man who did the right things because that's the reward in itself. Elrod was a class guy in an organization, well i'll just leave it at that. As was said only Melvin went to the funeral, i guess the Oriole way went out a long time ago. Here's to you Elrod, may your contributions be remembered for a long time.

sadly missed , but never forgotten , in this age of millionaires snob ballplayers that my kids are afraid to ask for a autograph because of other players who dont have time for just a smile elrod will always be remerbered by a smile

real nice article, Dan. Elrod was the kindest and most fanFriendly guy ever. He epitomized the kind of player who realized what it means to be grateful to be able to play this game and make a great living at the same time. He never forgot how lucky he was and that quality shone through every time he put on his uniform as a player abd coach, I live in NW Florida where the two most popular sports are football and Spring football. Seeing an O's jersey or hat down here is as rare as seeing Halley's comet. But I used to take my boys down to spring training both in St, Pete and then down to Ft Lauderdale, Elrod once shot a game of pool with my boys and they never forgot it. And my wife got her pic taken with him and it's something she always cherished. Maybe his number 44 won't officially be retired due to the current practice, but i don't think anyone will ever be assigned that number. thanks again for reminding us of the greatness of Ellie.

Nice post Dan. Great story Mark H.

where are my tissues? Dammit!

Truly a classy guy. Will never forget him. He is what the Orioles really are.

When I saw five years I just said...How can that be? I remember watching from my seat the long line forming near the screen behind the plate for when he would sign autographs and admiring him for taking those few minutes when "modern" players wouldn't. There was a comfortability about the Yard that isn't there anymore....like one of the family is gone....sadly until now nobody has picked up the slack.

My son was hit by a car, and his neck was broken. My neighbor and friend work for the Orioles, so she told Elrod what happen. I'll never forget, he took time out of his busy schedule to come by and see my son. Wat a great guy, but much more , a great human being.

What a great guy! I got my first autograph from Elrod as a 9 year old kid and my son got his first autograph from Elrod too! He was always smiling and ENJOYED talking with the fans out by the bullpen and along the fence by the dugout. He didn't do it because he felt obligated. He did it because he was one of us and enjoyed joking around with everyone. There will never be another Elrod but I sure hope many of the modern day ballplayers will aspire to be the man that Elrod was.

My 8 year old son and I got to OPCY early and watched Elrod warm up Sidney Ponson from the CF bleachers. Nobody else around. When Ponson finished, he walked down the bullpen ramp and out on to the field heading across to the dugout. Suddenly, Elrod shouted "Sidney", and when Ponson turned toward him, Elrod pointed directly me and my son. Ponson turned toward us, and threw my son the ball he had been warming up with. We thanked Ponson, and then waved at Elrod, who gave us a tip of his cap. Class act.

Last year I took my wife and kids to the Virgin Islands for a family vacation. When we were getting on the ferry from St. John to St. Thomas, my little boy was wearing his Orioles hat, which drew a comment from a gentleman working on the ferry. It turned out to be Elrod Hendricks, Jr. He was a fine man, just like his father. We shared a few stories about the old Orioles -- it was truly a pleasure.

Those Orioles were the real Orioles. How deep a thinker Ellie must have been to recognize the difference between real human contact and comraderie compared to the indifference found among today's athletes. That recognized warmth is continues to endear him in our hearts and memories. Thanks for the article and happy birthday Ellie.

It's great to read all of these EH stories. My memories of him revolve round his baseball camps that I attended, when I was, maybe, 10 years old. 1987 ish.

They were well run, organized, with good coaches/counsellors - and I mean good baseball wise and good character wise. Fundamentals were instructed - most specifically I always remembered aim for the cutoff man's glove side shoulder (I was an outfielder in my youth). We wouldn;t play a scrimmage until the end of camp, which as a kid annoyed me...but now I think it was because they felt they could teach us more with drills and practice. And there wasn't any TV/Video watching, which was different than other camps I attended.
This story brings back those happy, carefree days, and I think I see some of EH in Cal Ripken. Oriole Way.
Thanks, and let's hope the team can get back to that.

Dan, thanks for the reminder. It can be easy to forget someone who matters as time passes by.

Elrod was one of the nicest, most cordial Oriole I met whenever I was at a game.

Go Birds in 11.

"Elrod will never be replaced, and the bullpen will never be the same without him. If they will not retire his number, they should at least have something in the bullpen to remember him."

They have the number 44 painted on the inside of the Orioles bullpen. Not sure when they put it there, but it's there.

I'm too young to remember Elrod's playing days, but I always appreciated his effort to sign autographs for everyone who asked during games.

When i was a kid in the 1980s, Elrod would always be signing autographs near the Orioles' dugout prior to the game. One time, being a kid, I naively went up to Elrod and asked him if he could take a baseball card into the dugout and have Eddie Murray sign it. Elrod's response: "tell me when you wake up and the dream is over." (or words to that effect. I was heartbroken then, but as I look back now, it was a classic moment that I'll never forget. Thanks for the memories, Elrod!

In 1978, I was 10, my Mom remarried and we moved from Columbus, Ohio, and being fans of the Big Red Machine to Baltimorons impressed with the magic of 33rd street. One of the most searing memories was a chance meeting w a visibly upset, yet completely gracious Mr Hendricks, who later we came to learn had just been released by the club only to return later in September.
My pop worked in the Steel Mills and had the day off and had scooped me from school in order to get down to Memorial Stadium to buy some bleacher seats. I remember this day so vividly. My new dad was making an erstwhile effort at bonding. It was an abnormally warm Spring Day. My birthday had just passed w a promise we would catch an Oriole game together as soon as he could get some time off. Though I could name every Cincinnati Red since 1975, I was still learning the O's team. Being a bit player, or backup catcher, El Rod was almost unknown to me. But not to my Pop. Walking along just outside the Stadium, we stopped to read the Memorial on the Stadium. Pop having gone to War in Korea w the AirForce, he never missed (Thank God) a chance at a history lesson. As we were gazing up at that majestic wall, sun beaming off its metallic facade. Seemingly out of nowhere appeared two men. One that would later be divulged as Tippy Martinez, the other with that unmistakable ear to ear, gleaming smile; El Rod Hendricks. I remember the exchange as if it were yesterday. El Rod: Excuse Me Sir (with a half giggle in his throat) shouldn't that little guy be in school? Quick witted my Pop chirped back, Can't you see, pointing up to the Memorial, class is in session...I'm telling him about the real heroes...the ones' that sacrificed so that we live free." Amen to that! El Rod responded along w a hearty slap on the back and firm handshake to me & my pop. "What's that fandangled contraption you have there? El Rod asked me? A polaroid camera, I sheepishly replied. Pop loved, and still prefers the instant joy one derives in a polaroid. Well, maybe none more than that chance meeting. As El Rod motioned for a parking attendant to come over an take our picture, he introduced us to Tippy and the attendant snatched the camera while we arranged ourselves with the Memorial prominently as the backdrop. Needless to say, that pick is still one of the best picture that Camera ever took, and there have been many. Not just because it was with two Orioles, or in front of those hallowed grounds, sure that was important then. What was most striking that day, was that effervescent spirit El Rod just poured all over you when he smiled that smile. Over the years we always made sure to keep up with him, and he always remembered us. Always taking at least a second to shake your hand, smile, and gleam with that twinkle in his eye. Here was a simple man, truly thankful what God have given him. He never forgot the little people, maybe some might think, because for so many seasons, he was just an after thought. But me and my Pop know better. We know that twinkle had more to do w the character of the man. For you see, that day, March 26, 1979. El Rod Hendricks had just been released.

At some point, I'd like to see the team change the policy about retiring numbers. Surely service to the team and the community should be recognized by the Orioles even if they aren't quite HOF players.

At some point, I'd like to see Cal Sr., Elrod, and Mora all retired numbers for their distinguished service as Orioles, even if they never see Cooperstown. It would be terrific to pay tribute to these great gentlemen and ballplayers.

i was at a game when the little leaguers got to walk around the field. can't remember who we were playing but the other team's players lined the dugout to slap hands with the kids. on the o's side it was mora, eric dubose, bedard ( i think) and of course elrod. its sad how few class players we had then. we need more elrods!!!!

I was privileged and honored to be Ellie`s attorney and more importantly his close friend. Of all the people that I have ever met, only a select few were able to combine the attributes of loyalty, compassion, warmth, humor, and generosity as my main man did! My wife and children will always remember him as one of the true greats that ever lived!

Elrod Hendricks was truly one of the most down to earth individuals I've ever met. Being a young kid in the stands, I would remember sitting close by the bullpen fencing in the left field seats. Elrod during a pitching change would come over and strike up a conversation with me. He would ask me if I would like a piece of bubble gum, then start questions as to what strategy the pitcher should use to get a guy out at the plate. In today's baseball you just don't see that any more. A seperation divides players from fans and it has truly taken away from the game. We need more Elrod Hendricks' in baseball as well as in life. Elrod, you will be missed.

Ellie was such a wonderful person. My visits to Ft. Lauderdale for Spring Training & to Baltimore were made more enjoyable with him around. He was one of a kind & is greatly missed.