PASA: Wendell

This series, Pitchers and Stomach Aches, is based on my new feature on Philliesnation.com, Decade's Worst Individual Pitching Performaces, otherwise know as DWIPP.

Turk Wendell: Wendell was quite the character. He insisted that the umpire roll the ball to him, rather than throw it. If the ump were to throw, Wendell let the ball to go past him, or bounce off his chest. He waved to the centerfielder before he pitched and wouldn’t continue unless the centerfield waved back. When the catcher stood, Wendell crouched. He slammed the rosin bag on the mound between outs, and drew three crosses in the dirt before he pitched. He brushed his teeth between innings and occasionally threw his glove into the stands after leaving a game. Those are just a few of his many rituals.

His superstitions did not work during the 15.2 innings he pitched with the Phillies in 2001.

Acquired from the New York Mets in a trade, Wendell was 0-2 with a 7.47 ERA and 2.11 WHIP. Opponents batted .320 and slugged .569 against him. In 51.1 innings with the Mets in the first half of the season, Wendell had an acceptable 3.51 ERA.In 2002, Wendell was better for the Phillies posting a 3.38 ERA. In 2003, he signed with the Colorado Rockies and had a 7.02 ERA. He was released; it was the last year he pitched in the major leagues.