Rickey Henderson

Rickey Henley Henderson (born December 25, 1958) is a professional baseball player. Many include him among the greatest players of all time, including Rickey himself. Statistician Bill James was once asked if he thought Rickey Henderson was a Hall of Famer. James' reply: "If you could split him in two, you'd have two Hall of Famers."

Early playing career with the Athletics

Henderson batted .274 with 33 stolen bases in little more than half a season and (it could be argued) was as strong a Rookie of the Year candidate in 1979 as either of the co-winners (John Castino and Alfredo Griffin). However, Henderson did not receive any votes for that award.

Related Topics:
Batted - Stolen base - Rookie of the Year - 1979 - Alfredo Griffin

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Finley hired legendary manager Billy Martin in 1980, and his "Billy-Ball" propelled Rickey into stardom, when he became the third modern-era player to ever steal 100 bases in a season (Maury Wills (104) and Lou Brock (118) had preceded him). (Henderson would finish his career with three 100+ SB seasons-- 1980 (100), 1982 (a record 130), and 1983 (108), a feat matched only by Vince Coleman from 1985-87, and by 19th-century player Billy Hamilton. Baseball has thus far seen 20 individual seasons of 100 steals, but a dozen of those all occurred between 1887 and 1891 when rules counted extra bases taken on another player's hit or sacrifice as stolen bases.)

Related Topics:
Billy Martin - 1980 - Maury Wills - Lou Brock - Vince Coleman - Billy Hamilton

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Henderson was a Most Valuable Player candidate a year later, when he hit .319, fourth in the American League, and again led the league in steals with 56 in a season shortened by a players' strike. Finishing second to Rollie Fingers in the MVP voting, Henderson's flashy fielding that season also earned him his only Gold Glove Award. Rickey Henderson would later become known for his showboating "snatch catches," in which he would flick his glove out at incoming flyballs, then whip his arm behind his back.

Related Topics:
Rollie Fingers - Gold Glove Award

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Henderson set a modern major league record, still standing, with 130 stolen bases in 1982. He also continued to develop as a hitter, and even began to hit for some power.

Related Topics:
Stolen base - 1982

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~