Oakland A’s pitcher Liam Hendriks becomes first Australian to start a MLB playoff game

LIAM Hendriks is the most unlikely storyline of the MLB playoffs, with the Oakland A’s pitcher etching his name into the history books by ending two unusual playoff streaks on a night that ended in tears.

Liam Hendriks broke new ground as the first Australian starter in a MLB postseason game. Picture: GEtty

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AUSTRALIA’S Liam Hendriks is THE most unlikely starter in the MLB playoffs — and he’s broken new ground on two fronts as a result.

But it didn’t entirely go to plan.

The right-handed pitcher started for the Oakland A’s in their wild card showdown loss to baseball powerhouse the New York Yankees.

Liam Hendriks became the first Australian to start an MLB postseason game. Picture: AFP

In doing so he became the first Australian in history to start a playoff game — and also the first pitcher in history to start a playoff without chalking up a regular season win.

Hendriks was injected into the top of the A’s pitching rotation in the non-traditional role of an ‘opener’ — essentially a pitcher who will come out and pitch the opening innings or two.

But it continued a remarkable tale for the eight-year MLB veteran, who in June was ‘designated for assignment’ — he was cut — and then cleared waivers, because no other team in the league wanted him.

Hendricks is a trailblazer for Australian MLB stars. Picture: Getty Images

Hendriks continued to fight and scrap in the minor leagues before landing back on the A’s as a relief pitcher, leading to Thursday’s historic day.

Hendriks arrived at Yankee Stadium — after seeing the sights of New York, including the MET the day before — and opened the game.

He pitched just one innings, giving up an early walk to Andrew McCutchen and then a monster two-run home run to Yankees star Aaron Judge.

It was the hardest hit post-season home run since the statistic began being recorded three years ago.

It was the started of a heavy defeat for the A’s, who ended their season with a 7-2 loss as the Yankees progressed to a division series showdown with fierce rivals the Boston Red Sox.

All rise for Aaron Judge! Yankees lead 2-0 with a crushing first inning homer off Liam Hendriks pic.twitter.com/En02zjMBHS

— Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) October 4, 2018

At 116.1 mph, Aaron Judge with the highest postseason HR exit velocity since Statcast began tracking in 2015. pic.twitter.com/CX3cJDfOao

— Andrew Simon (@AndrewSimonMLB) October 4, 2018

But Hendriks found some support on social media despite the horrorshow start to the game and the unconventional ‘opener’ tactic seemingly backfiring.

*grabs megaphone*

BECAUSE LIAM HENDRIKS START WAS UNSUCCESSFUL DOES NOT MEAN THE OPENER IS A BAD STRATEGY. HE GAVE UP RUNS. PITCHERS GIVE UP RUNS.

— Patrick Brennan (@paintingcorner) October 4, 2018

Hendriks giving up runs doesn’t mean an opener fails. Starters give up first inning runs, too.

— Paul Sporer (@sporer) October 4, 2018

Others, however, were less kind.

US baseball journalist Chris Shearn labelled the move to call Hendriks a starter was an ‘insult’ to the many greats who have gone before him.

Okay if this ‘opener’ stuff is going to be the new norm - then instead of calling them ‘starter’ opener has to be a new category. Bob Gibson was a starter Sandy Koufax starter. Jack Morris starter. Calling Liam Hendriks a starter is an insult to starters everywhere. #ALWildCard

— ChrisShearn (@ChrisShearnYES) October 4, 2018

5:00pm Hendriks is the first Australian to start a playoff game

5:25pm Hendriks will be the last Australian to start a playoff game.

— Become More and More (@monkeysilog) October 4, 2018

Originally published as Oakland A’s pitcher Liam Hendriks becomes first Australian to start a MLB playoff game