Bob Hendley – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Bob Hendley’s name doesn’t come up as often as Sandy Koufax or Mickey Mantle, but this lefty from Macon, Georgia, managed to put together a solid seven-year run in Major League Baseball before retiring in 1967.

He pitched for four different teams: the Milwaukee Braves, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, and New York Mets. Hendley’s record really shows off his talent and grit, especially considering he played during a time packed with legendary pitchers.

Hendley’s story stands out because of his part in one of baseball’s most famous games. On September 9, 1965, he pitched a one-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers, giving up just one hit—a game that could have been a masterpiece.

The catch? Sandy Koufax was on the mound for the Dodgers, and he threw a perfect game. That night turned into one of the greatest pitching duels in baseball history.

From leading his high school team to a state championship in Georgia to wrapping up his career with the Mets, Hendley’s journey reflects what so many talented players experienced during baseball’s golden age.

You can see the challenges pitchers faced in the 1960s, the impact of injuries on athletic careers, and the tight bonds formed by guys who shared the field during some of the sport’s most memorable moments.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Bob Hendley’s path to pro baseball started in Macon, Georgia. He learned the game from his dad and later became a standout at Lanier High School.

His high school play, especially a perfect outing at the state all-star game, caught the eye of pro scouts. Hendley decided to sign with the Milwaukee Braves instead of heading to college.

Childhood in Macon, Georgia

Charles Robert Hendley was born on April 30, 1939, in Macon, Georgia, about 89 miles south of Atlanta.

His father, W.T. Hendley, worked as a civil servant at Robins Air Force Base and had played semipro baseball while working in a textile mill.

W.T. played a big role in shaping Bob as a pitcher. He taught Bob proper mechanics and the knuckle curve, which became one of Bob’s go-to pitches.

Oddly enough, Bob threw left-handed, but his dad pitched right-handed. Injuries had ended W.T.’s own playing days.

Bob’s mom, Nellie, was always known for her cooking and sewing. She took care of Bob and his two older brothers, Billy and Ronnie.

The three Hendley boys spent a lot of time outside, playing sports, hunting, and fishing.

That active, outdoorsy life in Macon helped Bob develop his athletic skills early on. The family really valued sports and staying active, setting the stage for his baseball career.

High School Baseball at Lanier High School

Bob went to Lanier High School, where he played track, basketball, and baseball. Baseball was clearly his best sport, and he led his team to a state championship.

His pitching stats were pretty wild for the time. Hendley racked up 16 wins and struck out 204 batters, tossing three no-hitters.

These feats happened while most of his classmates were probably more concerned with things like prom.

The big moment for Hendley as an amateur came at Georgia’s North-South high school all-star game. He struck out all nine batters he faced over three innings—a perfect performance.

That showing sealed his reputation and made sure pro scouts took him seriously.

Path to Professional Baseball

After high school, Hendley got scholarship offers from the University of Georgia for both baseball and basketball.

Georgia wanted him to keep playing and studying, but professional baseball came calling with an immediate shot at the big leagues.

The Milwaukee Braves offered him a contract. Hendley chose to skip college and go pro.

On August 17, 1957, he signed with the Braves as an amateur free agent. That decision ended his amateur days and kicked off his climb through the minors.

For a young guy from Macon, skipping college was a big move. It showed he believed in his game and wanted to chase his baseball dreams right away.

Major League Baseball Debut

Bob Hendley made his MLB debut on June 23, 1961, for the Milwaukee Braves after spending three and a half seasons working his way up in the minors.

His first game was against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. He pitched well into the eighth inning, even though he took the loss.

Signing with the Milwaukee Braves

After graduating from Lanier High School, Bob signed with the Milwaukee Braves organization in 1958. He also attended Mercer University before committing to pro baseball.

The Braves saw Hendley as a promising starting pitcher. At 6’2″ and 190 pounds, he had the size teams liked for their rotation.

He spent three and a half seasons in the Braves’ minor league system, working on his mechanics and learning to pitch against tougher hitters.

Milwaukee’s faith in his development paid off when they called him up in June 1961. He was in his fourth season with the organization when he finally got a shot at the majors.

Rookie Season Highlights

Hendley started his big league career on June 23, 1961, facing the Cubs at Wrigley. The game was a real test, but he showed he belonged.

He went seven innings, keeping things tied at 2-2. Hendley had good control and battled hard.

The eighth inning tripped him up. He loaded the bases with one out, and manager Chuck Dressen pulled him.

Two runners scored after Hendley left, and one was unearned. The Cubs won 5-3, so Hendley took the loss, but he’d proven he could hang with major league hitters.

That first loss stung, but pitching into the eighth in your debut is no small thing. The Braves saw enough to give him more chances as both a starter and reliever.

Transition to Major League Pitching

Jumping from the minors to the majors wasn’t easy. The hitters were better, and Hendley had to sharpen his pitch location and mix things up more.

His left-handed delivery helped against lefty batters, but he had to figure out how to get righties out too.

He worked to earn his spot in the Braves’ rotation during 1961. Hendley also had to deal with the extra pressure and media that came with playing in Milwaukee.

Those early games taught him a lot about what it takes to pitch in the majors. The games moved faster, and the stakes were higher, so mental toughness was key.

His strong debut, even with the loss, made the Braves believe he could contribute. That led to more starts and relief appearances as a rookie.

Professional Career Overview

Bob Hendley pitched for seven seasons in Major League Baseball from 1961 to 1967, suiting up for four different teams.

He finished with a 48-52 record and a 3.97 ERA over 222 games. Hendley bounced around a bit, but he kept proving himself.

Team Transitions and Trades

Hendley started out with the Milwaukee Braves in 1961 at age 22. He made his debut against the Chicago Cubs and stayed with Milwaukee through 1963.

In 1964, he joined the San Francisco Giants and played there for two seasons.

The Chicago Cubs picked him up in 1965, and he stayed with them until 1967. He became a steady presence in their rotation.

His last stop was with the New York Mets in 1967. The Mets traded for him on June 12, 1967, sending Rob Gardner and Johnny Stephenson to Chicago.

That move brought Hendley to New York for the last stretch of his career.

Pitching Style and Skills

Hendley pitched left-handed and batted right-handed. At 6’2″ and 190 pounds, he had the build teams looked for.

He struck out 522 batters in seven seasons, which says a lot about his ability to get hitters out.

His career WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) was 1.357, so he allowed a little over one baserunner per inning.

Hendley’s pitching style changed a bit depending on the team, but adapting to new coaches and teammates kept him in the majors for seven years.

Statistical Summary and Career Highlights

He wrapped up his career with a 48-52 win-loss record and a 3.97 ERA in 222 games.

His last season was 1967, and his final appearance came on September 3, 1967, against the Cubs. He pitched one inning, gave up a hit, and struck out one.

Hendley passed rookie limits in his first season with Milwaukee. That first year showed he was a legit big leaguer.

Over seven seasons, he played for teams in different divisions and leagues. That gave him a wide range of experiences and plenty of challenges.

Injury and Challenges

Hendley’s career ended after the 1967 season, when he was just 28. He didn’t pitch in the majors again after that last game.

Finishing at 28 suggests he probably dealt with injuries or maybe his performance dropped off. Most pitchers who stay healthy and effective play into their 30s.

He played regularly through 1967, then didn’t come back. Usually, that means something physical or a dip in results kept him from returning.

Even so, Hendley held a spot in big league rotations for seven full seasons. That takes real skill and determination.

Key Seasons and Notable Games

Hendley’s career had a few highlights that people still remember. His 1962 season with the Braves was a breakthrough, and his duel with Sandy Koufax is the stuff of legend.

1962 Season and 200 Innings Pitched

In 1962, Hendley broke out with the Braves. He moved up to the number three starter behind Warren Spahn and Bob Shaw, even ahead of Lew Burdette.

That year, he showed he could handle a heavy workload and the pressure of being a key starter.

The experience he got that season paid off later. His work ethic and steady performances helped keep him in the rotation all year.

One-Hitter Against Sandy Koufax

September 9, 1965, at Dodger Stadium turned into one of the wildest pitching duels ever. Hendley gave up just one hit while Sandy Koufax threw a perfect game in a 1-0 Dodgers win.

Hendley’s game was nearly perfect, even though he lost. The only run he allowed came in the fifth inning—no hits, just a walk, a bunt, a stolen base, and a throwing error by catcher Chris Krug.

He kept a no-hitter going until the seventh, when Lou Johnson dropped a bloop double over Ernie Banks’ head. That walk and the soft hit were the only baserunners Hendley allowed.

Five days later in Chicago, Hendley got his revenge by beating Koufax 2-1. That rematch really showed off Hendley’s resilience and his knack for bouncing back.

Significant Performances with the Chicago Cubs

Hendley spent 1965 to 1967 with the Chicago Cubs, and honestly, that’s where he turned in some of his most memorable outings. The Cubs traded for him from San Francisco in May 1965, and he went back into a starting role when they called him up from Triple-A Salt Lake City.

His ERA during those Cubs years looked solid, even though the team itself struggled hard. In 1966, Hendley mostly shifted to relief work, grabbing seven saves for a Cubs squad that lost a whopping 103 games.

By 1967, he finally snagged his only above-.500 record, winning five out of eight decisions. That stretch really showed how he could adapt and stay effective, no matter what the Cubs needed from him.

Important Appearances with the San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants brought Hendley on in December 1963, part of a big six-player trade that sent Felipe Alou to Milwaukee. He slid right into the Giants’ starting rotation for the 1964 season.

In 1965, Hendley started out in the bullpen and only got two short starts in his first eight games. The Giants had a deep pitching staff, so he had to fit wherever they could use him.

On May 28, 1965, the Giants traded him to the Cubs along with Harvey Kuenn and Ed Bailey. That short Giants run gave him some solid National League experience, which seemed to help him later on.

Final Year: 1967 With the New York Mets

Bob Hendley landed with the New York Mets in June 1967, coming over from the Cubs. That move marked his final season in Major League Baseball.

The lefty finished out his career with the struggling Mets before stepping away at just 28.

Trade to New York Mets

On June 12, 1967, the New York Mets picked up Bob Hendley from the Cubs. Chicago got pitcher Rob Gardner and catcher Johnny Stephenson in return.

Earlier that season, Hendley had thrown just 12⅓ innings for the Cubs. He wasn’t getting much work in Chicago, which made him available for the trade.

The Mets really needed more pitching depth, and Hendley brought seven years of major league experience with him. He had already racked up 45 career wins before coming to New York.

Performance and Role in 1967

Hendley’s time with the Mets was short, but it closed out his professional career. His final game happened on September 3, 1967 against his old team, the Cubs.

In that last outing, he pitched one inning, gave up just one hit, struck out a batter, and didn’t walk anyone or allow an earned run.

The numbers he put up with the Mets showed a pitcher winding down. He worked mostly as a reliever during his quick stop in New York.

Hendley’s final stats with the Mets pointed to the difficulties he faced trying to stay effective. The Mets themselves were still finding their footing as a franchise.

Transition to Retirement

After that last game in September 1967, Hendley retired from professional baseball at just 28. His career ended after seven seasons in the majors.

He played for four teams: starting with the Milwaukee Braves, then San Francisco, Chicago, and finally New York.

Hendley called it quits pretty early, especially for a pitcher. Walking away from baseball wrapped up a career that spanned the early to mid-1960s.

After his short stint with the Mets, the Georgia native headed back to civilian life. His pro baseball story ended with that 1967 season.

Legacy and Life After Baseball

When Bob Hendley retired in 1967, he closed out a seven-season MLB career that included one of the sport’s most unforgettable games. His legacy still hangs around baseball history, thanks to awards, collectibles, and his link to some of the game’s classic moments.

Career Impact and Recognition

Hendley made his biggest mark on baseball history during his September 9, 1965 showdown with Sandy Koufax. That game set the record for the fewest hits by both teams in a regular season contest.

In 2014, the New York Baseball Writers Association gave Hendley the Willie, Mickey and the Duke Award. He shared it with Sandy Koufax and broadcaster Vin Scully. The award goes to players who are forever linked in baseball history.

SABR members named the Koufax-Hendley game the “greatest game ever pitched” in 1995. That vote really locked in Hendley’s spot in baseball lore, even though he ended up on the losing side.

That night, Hendley put on a pitching clinic under pressure. He threw a one-hitter against one of the best lineups in baseball. The only run was unearned, which just shows how good he was that night.

Baseball Collectibles and Memorabilia

You can find Hendley on several vintage baseball cards from his playing days. His 1961 Topps rookie card features him as a Milwaukee Braves pitcher, marking his entry into the big leagues.

The Ultimate Mets Database tracks fan interest in former players, and Hendley actually topped the daily lookups on a few dates—October 11, 2010, January 28, 2019, and April 30, 2025.

Because of his connection to Koufax’s perfect game, memorabilia from that September 9, 1965 matchup stays popular with collectors. Fans still chase items from that historic night.

Collectors like seeing Hendley on cards from different teams. His cards show him with the Braves, Giants, Cubs, and Mets, giving a little snapshot of his journey through the majors.

Personal Life and Post-Retirement Activities

People don’t know much about Hendley’s life after baseball. He was born Charles Robert Hendley on April 30, 1939, in Macon, Georgia.

His dad worked as a civil servant at Robins Air Force Base.

After retiring, Hendley mostly stayed out of the spotlight. He hasn’t really kept a high public profile, which is kind of rare for a former player.

You can see his character in the way he talked about Sandy Koufax after their unforgettable matchup. “I not only got beat by one of the all-time great pitchers, but I got beat by class,” Hendley said.

That connection to one of baseball’s most famous games still keeps his name alive. Fans and baseball historians keep talking about his performance that night, even decades later.