Henry McHenry

“Five hit pitching [by] Henry McHenry, Silvio Ruis and Ray Brown…silenced the vaunted offensive power of the West’s mighty guns here today as the East slipped in to an astonishing 11-0 victory.”
--Pittsburgh Courier, Aug. 24, 1940

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Negro Leaguer of the Month

May, 2011
Henry “Cream” or “Chato” McHenry
Position: pitcher
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Height: 6' 0 ", Weight: 200 lb.
Born: April 3, 1910 in Houston, TX
Died: February 9, 1981 in Brooklyn, NY Career: 1930-1950
Teams: Kansas City Monarchs, New York Harlem Stars, Newark Browns, Pennsylvania Red Caps of NY, New York Black Yankees, Philadelphia Stars, Indianapolis Clowns

Henry McHenry was one of the better-hitting pitchers in the Negro Leagues, rivaling Leon Day, Joe Rogan and Ray Brown.

In 1938, McHenry joined the Philadelphia Stars and went 8-1 in league games; in ’39 he went 10-5 and in ’40 he went 16-11 and was chosen to start the East-West All-Star Game. In three innings, McHenry allowed one hit and got the win. In ’41, McHenry pitched another two shutout innings in the East-West Game, but was not involved in the decision.

McHenry spent some of his best seasons in Mexico, joining the Monterrey Industrials in the winter of 1940, batting over .400 but struggling on the mound at 2-5.
In 1942, with Mexico City, McHenry pitched well with a 3-3 record adn 4.48 ERA, batted .354 and came in third in the league in homers behind Monte Irvin and Ramón Bragaña.

In 1943, McHenry had his best pitching season in Mexico, going 17-10 for Tampico.

McHenry joined the Indianapolis Clowns toward the end of his career, and then played the ’51 season in Canada with the Minot Mallards of the Manitoba-Dakota League (0-1 on the mound) and Eston Ramblers (5-4 on the mound, .290 at bat).

McHenry died of pneumonia at age 70.

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