SEATTLE — Someday, Mark Hendrickson will get to pitch in front of area fans again.

By a quirk of fate, the Mount Vernon High School graduate’s turn in the rotation has not come up for four straight trips to Seattle. Local fans have not gotten to see him pitch at Safeco Field since Aug. 11, 2003, when he was with his first team, the Toronto Blue Jays.

Hendrickson was back in Seattle this week with his fourth team, the Florida Marlins, who are one of the National League’s biggest surprises this year. With one of baseball’s lowest payrolls and youngest rosters, the Marlins sit in second place in the National League East, just a few games behind the Philadelphia Phillies.

Now in his seventh major-league season, Hendrickson, 34, seems happy, relaxed and content in his role as the rotation’s eldest statesman. The Marlins’ starting rotation also includes Andrew Miller (23), Scott Olsen (24), Ricky Nolasco (25), Burke Badenhop (25) and Ryan Tucker (22).

Since the last time we caught up with Hendrickson, he has been traded once, made his first playoff appearance in 2006, and most recently signed with the Marlins before the 2008 season. He has a 7-5 record with a 5.74 earned run average thus far.

Hendrickson took a few minutes before Tuesday’s game in Seattle to talk to the Skagit Valley Herald about this season, his new team, and where he is in his major league career.

SVH: Is it fun playing here in Seattle?

Hendrickson: “It’s been a while since I’ve been back to Seattle. It’s kind of fun. Coming here with the Marlins kind of made me realize how long I’ve been doing this, because there’s not many of us who are over 30 years (old). It’s been an opportunity for myself to pitch every five days. It’s a chance for me to instill some of the values I’ve learned coming up to some of these younger guys.

“The story of the Marlins is of a team very talented but obviously a very young team. The situation this year is different than last year. Luis Gonzalez has been huge, I don’t want to say to monitor the guys, but to show them what it’s about it.”

Did you expect the kind of success the Marlins have had thus far this year when you signed with them?

“We’re just trying to take advantage of the moment. Never doubt guys that have got to prove something. There’s a lot of guys up for arbitration, and they’re motivated. For me, this was a chance to get back into the rotation on a consistent basis and prove that I could pitch as a starter. We’re a pretty motivated bunch. It’s a matter of can we withstand some of the highs and lows of the season. The longer we hang around, the better off we’re going to be. We’ve had some good stretches and we’ve had some stretches where we’re so-so. That’s what you’ve got to do, is hang around for six months. You just never know about September.”

Have you taken any of the younger guys under your wing?

“Andrew Miller, when he first came here, I think I could relate to him a little bit. Obviously, there was the pressures of the trade. I think what you’re seeing with him last night and within the last probably month is finally a guy who’s relaxed and felt like he belongs. He doesn’t have to jump in the fire to prove himself to a new ballclub, and I think that carries over to the way he’s been pitching. He’s gone out there and pitched relaxed. All pitchers take lumps. They’re going to happen.

“That’s kind of my area with the pitching staff. Gonzo takes the position players. We try to offer certain things here or there, maybe how we carry ourselves. We try to give them a little bit of direction and guidance. It’s one thing to be able to step on the field. Off the field is what can make or break a team usually, because a lot of the stuff that happens off the field carries over on the field.”

Will we ever actually get to see you pitch at Safeco Field again?

“It’s unfortunate. I like pitching here. I haven’t been here that often. It’s good to come home and not pitch, because of the demands. As I’ve gotten older, I really would like the opportunity to pitch because I’ve learned to cherish the moment.

“People ask how many tickets you’ve got, and you know what, the novelty has kind of worn off. If I was pitching, there’d probably be more people. If I’m not pitching, it’s not as big as it was. It’s been 12 years, so I’ve been doing this for a while. I get a chance here, I’m getting off on Thursday, so I’ll get to go home. That will be fun.”

Have you gotten a chance to talk with fellow Mount Vernon graduate and major league pitcher Kyle Kendrick since he’s been called up?

“They were here last week in Philly, and I got a chance to talk to him. I’ve followed him. We have the same agent, so I’ve known him. I gave him a little advice when he was a senior in high school with his decision. He’s doing really well. He’s in a good situation, on a good team, obviously going through the ups and downs of being a pitcher. It’s a really good situation for him, and he should be very thankful that’s he’s in a good situation, and not only that but a winning situation.”

How was it to pitch in the playoffs?

“It’s everything I thought it would be. Unfortunately, in baseball, it can be so quick. Six months, 162 games, and all of a sudden we were out in three. It’s like, ‘Where did it go?’ ... When you get to the playoffs, it’s all about winning. Nothing else matters. You do things maybe you normally wouldn’t during the season. Pitching back to back out of the bullpen. It’s just different things. It was fun. I really enjoyed it.”

You were a part of history recently, giving up Ken Griffey, Jr.’s 600th career home run. How does it feel to be part of that milestone?

“It’ll be another chapter in my book. It was one of those things. That wasn’t as disappointing as the other home runs I gave up. Obviously, the pitches were not well-located pitches. The pitch to Griffey was a 3-1 curveball, but in that sense I didn’t pay that much attention to the 3-0 pitch. He put a good swing on it and hit the home run. That stuff happens.

“The other two home runs were really what cost me that particular game. That was more upsetting.

“For me, I’m going to come at you. I may give up a home run, but I’m not going to pitch around you and I’m not going to be afraid of you. I do the same thing with Bonds. People asked me, ‘How do you pitch Barry?’ I gave Bonds a couple pitches to hit. He didn’t hit it out, but I’m not going to pitch around and walk a guy just because of the situation.

“Obviously, if the situation presents itself, I’m going to do what we need to do to win the game and be smart that way, but that comes more from our manager, our game plan for that particular team. That’s always been my mind set.”

Now that you’re an established major leaguer, a veteran, has your outlook on the game changed?

“I’ve learned to appreciate this, both the highs and the lows. I’m just enjoying it. As I’ve gotten older, I know it’s not going to last forever, so I enjoy being in the clubhouse. I enjoy preparing. I enjoy watching.”

And hitting?

“Very much so. I got some LASIK surgery done in the offseason and I think it’s showed in the way I’ve hit (he has a career-best .286 average this year) and it’s showed in the way I’ve been pitching, too.

“That was something, for me, I just never wanted to wanted to say ‘What if?’ That’s always been a big thing for me. I never look back and regret. Now was the time to do it, and I think it’s been a very good addition.”

Eric Francis can be reached at 360-416-2131 or by e-mail at