greasywheels121 Posted May 9, 2005 Share Posted May 9, 2005 This guy is just awesome. I love how he's still playing. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2056132 Henderson signs contract to play in Class-A level ESPN.com news services The San Diego Surf Dawgs apparently have found their leadoff hitter: Rickey Henderson. Henderson, a future Hall of Famer, has signed a contract to play for the Dawgs in the inaugural season of the Golden Baseball League, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. "He still just wants to play," Surf Dawgs manager Terry Kennedy said. "I think he wants to be the first one to hit a home run, cross home plate and collect his salary check, pension and social security all at the same time." Henderson, 46, will earn $3,000 a month as a member of the Class-A level independent team's roster. He is expected to play left field for the Surf Dawgs when the season opens on May 26 and has a lucrative marketing agreement with the league -- including a Rickey Henderson bobblehead night. "He creates a buzz," Kennedy told the Union-Tribune. "The two-sided thing for us is he will put people in the seats, and he can still play a little bit. "When I spoke to him I said, 'Are you in shape?' and he said, 'You know I am.' Who else has that kind of body at age 46?" Organizers of the league, formed last year, did not express an interest at first in signing former major leaguers, fearing it would be viewed as a publicity stunt, the paper reported. But the league decided Henderson was worth it. "As with any signing of a big athlete, someone who has a reputation, people are going to view it that way [as a publicity stunt]," Dave Kaval, the GBL's founder and CEO, told the Union-Tribune. "But if people come out to the ballpark, they're going to see how much Rickey plays. He's such a competitor. He wants to win. ... The doubters and cynics will be pleasantly surprised." By continuing to play professionally, however, Henderson is delaying his Hall of Fame eligibility. He played the last two seasons for the Newark (N.J.) Bears in the independent Atlantic League. In his major league career, Henderson set records for stolen bases with 1,406 and runs scored with 2,295. He also held the record for walks with 2,190 until last season, when Barry Bonds eclipsed the mark. Henderson also holds the record for leadoff homers with 81. The official announcement of Henderson's signing is expected Monday, and he was not available for comment to the paper Sunday night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steff Posted May 9, 2005 Share Posted May 9, 2005 Good for him. The guy is a machine. I bet he does better than many ML'ers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UofIChiSox Posted May 11, 2005 Share Posted May 11, 2005 It's good to see a guy who just wants to play, no matter what level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngelasDaddy0427 Posted May 11, 2005 Share Posted May 11, 2005 It's just a shame that he can't find a major league team to take him. I mean honestly there are alot of crappy teams with holes in LF that could use him, *cough*CUBS*cough* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
earthshiner Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 even if you did not like him in his heyday, you have to respect him now. He just loves to play the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChWRoCk2 Posted May 14, 2005 Share Posted May 14, 2005 i like ricky wouldnt be surprised if the yankees gave him a ring, but hes not in their system i believe, anyways i hope he gets the nod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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