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.
My journey as a player is complete.
It's always exciting that you can rub elbows with some of the greatest players who have ever played the game, and just being around the "family" again from baseball.
You never had the opportunity to play with some of the great ballplayers, but being that close around them, and being in the same category, was a great feeling, to feel that vibe of all the best players who played the game.
I don't want to be one of those great players who never made it to the (World) Series.
I don't think some of the players understand what the people are about. The people are coming out to show you their appreciation of the game, and the player that you are.
A good friend of mine took me out and had me hit off a tee. He made me understand what was my strike zone and - with my speed - the importance of making contact. So I give him a lot of credit for changing my game and making me the player I became. He showed me how to work on me and my game, and not worry about patterning myself after someone else and focusing on what they were capable of doing rather than what I was capable of doing.
Our theory was get Eck in the game. You knew the game was over.
People recognize me - but if you've been in the public eye as long as I have and people don't recognize you, I feel bad about myself.
You have to stay low, like a sprinter.
I think playing cards gave me the opportunity to relax in the game.
I'm a Hall of Famer and I'm still fighting for it because I love the game and I love to play.
I did so many things that made me a threat.
I love playing this game and every spring training feels like the first.