12/21/24
April 23, 2003
Happen to be the best lead-off man of all-time? Only 44 years of age and can't get signed in the Major Leagues anymore? What do you do? If you're Rickey Henderson,
posted by Ufez Jones to baseball at 02:45 PM - 11 comments
I would love to see him play baseball anywhere he goes. He's one of those players that gets my attention when he comes up to bat. Not just because he's an inner circle hall of famer, but because he has had the aura of excitement around him since he joined the league. Whether it's the lead-off home run, or the ability to draw a walk and then steal second base on the first pitch, or his aggressiveness on the basepaths, he's just fun to watch. And you know what, I like his cocky attitude because he has/had the skills to back it up.
posted by grum@work at 03:16 PM on April 23, 2003
And you know what, I like his cocky attitude because he has/had the skills to back it up. To me he never seemed all that cocky, as much as cock-sure, but regardless, I agree totally, and that's why I think you'd be hard-pressed to find someone that really dislikes the guy. And what a bonus for whichever Jersey city he winds up playing in. And for the league in general.
posted by Ufez Jones at 03:21 PM on April 23, 2003
Lou Brock was the symbol of great base stealing. But today, I'm the greatest of all time. That speech is where Rickey lost me as a fan. I respect his ability and career and accomplishments, but as a man he can go to hell for all I care.
posted by vito90 at 03:32 PM on April 23, 2003
But vito90, he was right. At that moment, he was the greatest of all time. It's not like he was a rookie player who made these predictions. If you want to feel better vito90, you'll be happy to know that Henderson's accomplishment wasn't even the top story in baseball that day because someone did something just a bit more amazing.
posted by grum@work at 03:49 PM on April 23, 2003
Right grummy! I remember the Express snatching the headlines away later that day. And I remember how typically humble he was about it, and that made me despise Henderson even more. Lou Gehrig was also one of the greatest players of all time...but when he was handed a mic in front of 60,000 fans he talked about how he was the luckiest man. I appreciate humility in my ballplayers.
posted by vito90 at 04:24 PM on April 23, 2003
I appreciate humility in my ballplayers. Me too, which is why the further in time we go, the farther back in history you're going to have to reach to find it.
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:26 PM on April 23, 2003
True, Ufez. But there will always be those guys, no matter the era, that go out and do their job without the attention and the "me-me" attitude. The guys that realize, holy shit, I'm 33 years old and being paid nasty money to play baseball. The guys who don't need to gloat because their life is one big fantasy. The most recent HOF incarnation was Tony Gwynn. I'm not sure who it is today, but being a free-agent fan, if you point him out to me I'll start rooting for him. (John Olerud is my current flavor. How about Bernie Williams?)
posted by vito90 at 08:36 PM on April 23, 2003
you'd be hard-pressed to find someone that really dislikes the guy Really? There's two in this thread alone (me being one). He seems to be one of those players you either love or hate. Amazing talent, never boring, but what a pain. May add character to a club house when things are going great, but when things go bad he's a cancer. And I don't think you'll ever see him coach/manage. Not enough attention in it for him.
posted by justgary at 09:45 PM on April 23, 2003
it's official. he's coming to the bears. can't fucking wait.
posted by goddam at 08:08 AM on April 25, 2003
Congrats to the city of Newark and to you, goddam. Does anyone know what will happen to his stats in the Atlantic League when he's put in the Hall of Fame? I guess my questions are 1) Will they include these stats as a *note for his spot, and 2) will they wait five years until he retires from the Atlantic League, or five years from the moment he left MLB to put him in?
posted by Ufez Jones at 08:50 AM on April 25, 2003
I liked Rickey Henderson as part of the Red Sox last year. I thought he added a lot of character to the team, plus he knows how to work an at bat and still can steal pretty well. I'm glad he found somewhere to play ball. When he's done, I would love to see him in some sort of team coaching/management position back in MLB.