Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson
Rickey Nelson Henley Hendersonis an American retired professional baseball left fielder who played in Major League Baseballfor nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed "The Man of Steal", he is widely regarded as baseball's most reliable leadoff hitter and baserunner. He holds the major league records for career stolen bases, runs, unintentional walks and leadoff home runs. At the time of his last major league game in 2003, the ten-time...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionBaseball Player
Date of Birth25 December 1958
CityChicago, IL
CountryUnited States of America
It's a great atmosphere for ballplayers. The league, to me, is taking care of the young players the right way. The biggest thing is getting better and better every year. Then you draw more players.
He can steal as many bases as he wants to. The question is whether he wants to.
He can steal as many as he wants. He's got unbelievable speed but he doesn't have the greatest jump. Right now, he's just running on raw speed. But if you watch a pitcher's move and get a good jump, sometimes you don't have to run as hard and it's easier to steal second.
He has to be able to hit the fastball. I wasn't going to miss the fastball. And, he has to learn how to hit with two strikes.
He has to be able to hit the fastball.
If I hadn't gotten on base and Molitor singled, Carter wouldn't have gotten the pitch he got to hit period. Mitch Williams was worried about me stealing third base with one out. He tried to get the ball to the plate with a slider. He hung it, and Joe hit it out of the park.
I don't want to be one of those great players who never made it to the Series.
Listen: People are always saying, 'Rickey says Rickey.' But it's been blown way out of proportion. People might catch me, when they know I'm ticked off, saying, 'Rickey, what the heck are you doing, Rickey?' They say, 'Darn, Rickey, what are you saying Rickey for? Why don't you just say, 'I?' But I never did. I always said, 'Rickey,' and it become something for people to joke about.
I like playing for Oakland, they have a very colorful uniform.
I love talking about baserunning.
Certain guys, they can see a guy do a certain thing with their glove and know what pitch is coming. I couldn't do that. But I can get on first base and I can tell you by his move if that pitcher is going to first base or home plate every time.
I'm a walking record.
My journey as a player is complete.
People always ask me why I still want to play, but I want to know why no one will give me an opportunity. It's like they put a stamp on me: 'Hall of Fame. You're done. That's it.' It's a goddamn shame.