Rickey Hendra-son

[seddrah]

I know that old man Rickey is not technically an RBI'r, however, there is no clear reason that he wasn't included on the AL all-stars (except maybe they didn't want to overload the squad with Yankees).  

his stats show him as worthy:

1986: .263, 28 hrs, 74 rbi, 87 sb

1987: .291, 17 hrs, 37 rbi, 41 sb (only 95 games)

That is question #1.

the real reason for this post, Question #2-- WILL any team decide to sign Rickey Henderson for 2004?  He claims if he is given a chance in spring training and does NOT make the team, then he will quit.  BUT if no team gives him a chance, then he aint ready to retire.

honest opinion--will he get a shot this year?  if so, who would take him?

[fknmclane]

DBacks need a right fielder.

[sucka free]

someone will pick up rickey...maybe K.C. or even the cubs...

[seddrah]

It took me forever to find this bad-azz tiny Rickey picture.  He needs our support.

I think Tampa Bay could use him--especially since Lou is the manager.

I swear Rickey could still hit .260 and score some runs.  His OBP would dominate Ichiro or A.Soriano, both of which are usually mentioned as the best lead-off hitters today.

Don't give up the fight, Rickey.  Our man Jesse O. was signed and he just quit. unacceptable.

Rickey already throws left-handed, I wonder if he could work on his slider....

[TβG]

... and we all know that his "physa-condition is in great condition"

[fknmclane]

"Rickey just wants what he wants."

[Flood]

he's a conceited fuck

[dvldog]

he's a conceited fuck

"Lou Brock was a great base stealer but today I am the greatest."

- Rickey, with Lou Brock by his side, after stealing his 939th career base.

So conceited that moments after the stolen base, he held what would essentially be a press conference.  He received a giant trophy and a plaque with his cleats and batting gloves.

One meaningless trail leads to a somewhat infamous milestone for Rickey: the same day he stole his 939th base, Nolan Ryan threw his 7th no-hitter.  The year before, Rickey was rung up for Ryan's 5,000th career strikeout, and was part of a team no-hit by Ryan.

A quick "yahoo" search of  ' "nolan ryan" milestones ' reveals a list of milestone victims.  Among them are a handful of real RBIers.

[ultimate7]

I've also heard that he has a million dollar bonus check that he received from the Yankees framed (he never cashed it)

[seddrah]

You do realize that all of these wonderful, colorful stories are the EXACT reason why he is so important to the game.  You lose Rickey and the game has a lost a lot of personality.   A lot.

They don't make 'em like Rickey anymore.  If you want to read a GREAT article (and all of those still convinced that he is a jerk should read it)--look into the article in the June 23rd, 2003 issue of Sports Illustrated titled "What is Rickey Henderson Doing in Newark?"

Read that and you'll be starting all new posts about how Rickey IS the greatest of all time.

[Glassjoe]

They don't make 'em like Cobb anymore, either.

But so what?

[seddrah]

Cobb was a racist asshole.  He spit on blacks, refused to play against them, etc.  He "played" the game right, but was wrong in every other respect.

Rickey is a quirky, sometimes arrogant, but endearing old school baseball player.  He doesn't use weights ("just sit-ups and push-ups"), doesn't drink or smoke, and is fond of talking about himself in the third person.

The ONLY thing they have in common is a love for the game and the abiilty to steal bases.

[dvldog]

Rickey has become a great Minor League player.  He doesn't belong in the Majors anymore.  

When he was a dominant player, his image fit.  Playing in the Majors again is an obvious attempt to bolster his stats (except for the averages) for his legacy.

His legacy has been well established, and any continuing player career only stands to change this image.  

If he continues to be an ass, he will look foolish because he can no longer back it up.  Citing past successes to justify an ass-hole demeanor only justifies his career, and does nothing to credit him as a player in the 21st Century.  His productivity has taken an obvious dive, if you take the time to look at detailed major league statistics.  The attitude is something better suited for an administrative-like role (coaching included).

The alternative would be for him to portray an attitude which goes along with his play, which would provide a more mild Ricky.  And who wants that?  Part of his image is the attitude, and he isn't doing any good for his image by continuing to play.  Maybe he shows that he still loves the game or he can still play at a mediocre level.  More likely, it shows that he can't let go and that he cannot do anything else -- maybe the dullest knife in the drawer.

Hang up the spikes, Rickey.  You're not good enough anymore, and you only stand to hurt your own image.  You're baseball's dinosaur... give it up old man.

[dvldog]

Cobb was a racist asshole.  He spit on blacks, refused to play against them, etc.  He "played" the game right, but was wrong in every other respect.

Racism was pretty popular in the south during that time... It's not accurate to portray Cobb in the context of what is commonly accepted in modern day.  

The ONLY thing they have in common is a love for the game and the abiilty to steal bases.

Their ability to steal bases is similar only in numbers.  Their ability is quite different because of the methods they used.  What separated the two from their contemporaries, and therefore put them on a historical pedastal, might be known as an x-factor.  Rickey's was his speed, while Cobb's was physical intimidation.

Their attitudes in context of their times, and the popular belief of society which helped to shape their ideas, are very similar.

Cobb was a violent racist, which was probably entertaining to fans while slightly unsettling.

The same can be said for Rickey; entertaining and irritating.

The fact that Cobb was a racist in the south in the 1920's is insignificant.  The only significance may be that he brought his attitude to Detroit.

Cobb was once suspended for racist-linked actions, but was backed by teammates who believed Cobb was justified.  Even the teammates who did not necessarilly like the guy stood up for him.  The only widely held complaint about Cobb's racism was the violence it invoked on the field.

If you compare Cobb and Henderson, make sure it is in context.

[dvldog]

A more relevant question might be, "Why isn't Rickey Henderson included on the Am team on RBI?"

How did the programers decide the team?  Maybe that answer is in Gantry's FAQ.

[seddrah]

I totally agree--we should be discussing WHY he wasn't included in rbi on the AL squad?  Probably because, just like many people in this forum, common thought was that the guy was a prick.  I personally disagree.  I think he had fire and arrogance at an appropriate level.  fun to watch, fun to hate, but always intriguing.  He is a lovable Jose Canseco.

Anyway--why wasn't he on rbi?  My theory is they didn't want to have too many Yanks on the team.  Rickey was a superstar when the game came out--and they should be ashamed for snubbing the first ballot hall of famer.

I'm really surprised so many of you want to see Rickey retire...  And yet all of you wish Jesse Orosco to play on?  Did you see his numbers last year?  The guy was horrible.  I personally want both to continue for years to come.

Go Rickey!  

[dvldog]

I was looking at the rosters for '85, '86, AND '87 and (upon skimming them) could not find any pattern.  My initial thoughts are that they went through the list, not the roster, of players and excluded names already on the game (like Clemens).

Why the hell would they put Randloph in the 1 spot?!?!  They must have had something against Rickey.  Maybe they had favorites.  Maybe they were just ill-informed.  There is probably some trail of purported logic, but I don't have enough time/patience for it.

Rickey's attitude off the field was very misrepresentative of Rickey.  I think his attitude can partly be attributed to an attempt to cover his massive stupidity.  He masked an insecurity for his stupidity with the embellishment of his importance.  I'd say about broke even.  

Rickey was one of my favorite players growing up, but I think it's time to go.  Last call was about 5 years ago, but he keeps asking the bartender for another one.

[dvldog]

... keeps asking the bartender for another shot

[seddrah]

Maybe they just couldn't find another suitable second baseman in the AL--so they went with Randolph.  At that time wasn't Julio Franco playing 2B, though? or Paul Molitor?

I can't defend Their error in judgement!  There were several great players left off of RBI (I created a poll to determine who was most snubbed), but Rickey really got hosed.  Willie Randolph?!  They leave the best lead-off hitter of all time (undisputed) off of the team and take his shitty teammate and insert him in the lead-off role for the AL stars?  crazy talk.

Does anyone EVER leave Randolph in for even a single at-bat?  I don't think so.

[Baines]

I wasn't always much of a Rickey fan but I can't help but pull for him now.  If the guy can keep it up and find a team willing to take a chance on him I'm all for it.  Hell, I'm a Reds fan and I wouldn't care if they picked him up just for sheer entertainment value.  They're going to be shitty anyway.  By the end of last year, I didn't recognize half the names on the roster.  If you're going to get thrashed night in and night out, might as well have a recognizable face or two.