Interview with Drew Henson - current career as hitting coach

Still bitter.

Go rats.

What a life.  He's gone through so much that his perspective at age 33 is probably more reasoned than men 10 years older.  As he explains it, you can really envision feeling the way he did at age 23 - being frustrated and wanting to get on the big stage.  And his hindsight is perfect, "What was my hurry?  I was only 23.  Who cares if it takes another 18 months at AAA?"

Seems like he's got great perspective on things now.

Reading the last several questions, I was intrigued by his answers, especially in that he doesn't necessarily regret leaving baseball (because, as he mentions, he would not have then moved to Dallas, met his wife, and so forth). His perspective is certainly well-considered.

 In a perhaps odd sort of way, this career is something for which he does have a unique qualification. He's had a combination of experiences that probably would make him a good mentor to the guys just starting out in baseball, even aside from a knowledge of the game picked up from playing it. I imagine he'll make a pretty good coach in that regard. Good luck to Drew in this new chapter, as well as with his soon-to-be family (also mentioned).

Thanks for sharing this, OP.

...link. That is an unusally open and frank interview. 

I remember going to a Richmond Braves vs. Columbus Clippers game and giving Henson a loud "Go Blue" when he came up to bat. Pretty sure he went 1-4 that night with a few strikeouts. He flashed incredible potential, but just wasn't able to put it all together.

Glad to know that Henson has his head screwed on straight and has this opportunity to pursue his passion. 

As a Yankee fan, I still think that Big Stein gave him that deal partially to sabotage Michigan. It's dumb, makes no business sense and is easily refutable, but this is still Steinbrenner.

But hopefully his finds fulfillment in coaching.

Glad to see Drew doing well.

The rough thing about his departure from Michigan was the timing. He announced he was going pro after National Signing Day, leaving Michigan in a bad spot. Carr didn't recruit a QB the year before Drew or the year he committed. That was the deal he made with Henson to get him to Michigan. Of course, that meant there weren't many QB options on the roster when Henson suddenly bolted.

I still think Steinbrenner offered Henson the big payday to stick it to Michigan.

Henson was my favorite athlete growing up. He was a legend in Southeastern Michigan. I was in awe that someone who broke the state home run record and was going to play football at Michigan could have grown up basically in the same place I did. I don't think you ever forget those childhood heroes.

I remember during Henson's recruitment, I heard rumors swirling around that he promised Drew (actually it was probably more Drew's dad/agent) that he would not recruit another quarterback and he would play his Freshman year.  

There is that great piece on youtube (the brady six) that accentuated the corner Lloyd backed himself into especially during the MSU game in 1999(?).   

Our fall back was a freshman Navarre, and Lloyd actually said at an alumni function when asked that he knew Drew would leave early to play baseball.   

And Steinbrenner absolutely had something to do with it.  What's a couple of million to a $100 million payroll to salvage a rivalry that went 2-10-1 in the prior 13 years and just lost in Columbus? But it's Carr's fault for not being prepared for the contingency or making the promise to the Henson's.  

season w/o Henson, was it basically cost us the first game against Tressel.  Ohio had a crappy team that year and the only way they beat us in Ann Arbor is because of the tire fire we were left with at QB.  Navarre was ill-prepared to be the starter at that point.  To this day, that was one of the hardest games to watch at Michigan Stadium that I can remember.  

How can a guy, in 3 seasons at AAA, batting only .234, and 9 MLB plate appearances (3K's) and a BA of .111, get a gig as a batting coach?  

According to baseball-reference.com:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=henson001dre

EDIT: I know 9 MLB plate appearances is a small sample size, but I thought it was worth noting.  
He never stuck in the majors because he couldn't hit.  Now, he's a batting coach???

Henson leaving just screwed Michigan. I really think Michigan would have had a legitimate shot at the national title if he had stayed. There was also talk of the agreement Carr made to not recruit a QB in the class after Henson came in. Totally crazy if true. Still pissed about this whole thing.

Lloyd Carr was just as culpable for not having/preparing a capable backup for Henson.  

Henson could have blown a knee (John Wangler), broken an arm (John Harbaugh), torn his labrum (Matt Gutierrez), injured an ulner nerve (Denard), etc.  

A team can't count on any player to remain heathly throughout his career - especially a QB who is a prime target of opposing defenses.

Henson's hitting advice is "Ok you see how I hit, just don't do that."

Henson admit any regret at not playing his Senior year at Michigan. I always wondered (and still do) if he really didn't regret it or if he just wouldn't admit it.

I wonder what his advise would be to other athletes about leaving early.