I won't recount here Rickey's accomplishments as one of the best ever Major League Baseball players. But I will say that he was easily my favorite Oakland Athletic of all time, hands down.
One of my favorite moments was not when he wore an Oakland A's uniform, but when he was a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. He single-handedly disrupted a game by walking, stealing 2nd, getting into the pitcher's head and screwing up that pitcher's delivery to the batter. This basically was the scenario that led to Mitch Williams giving up a walk-off 3-run HR to Joe Carter that delivered Toronto the 1993 World Series championship in Game 6.
Rickey's advantage was unfair. His batting stance was a crouch unlike any other. His strike zone was what was described by a teammate as the size of Hitler's heart. He walked frequently and used it to his advantage by then stealing 2nd. If he felt that he had the advantage after stealing 2nd, Rickey would steal 3rd. Rickey often got into the head of the opposing pitcher because he could be disruptive on the basepaths.
Rickey also hit more leadoff homers (81) than any other player in MLB history. #2 on the list is George Springer, with 60 leadoff HRs. Henderson's batting stance contributed to his leadoff HR record. Small strike zone to begin with, tremendous power in the crouch.
Rickey was one of the most dynamic, exciting players ever to put on a uniform. I feel privileged for having seen him play.
FRANCE
Rickey Henderson, 1958-2024
I won't recount here Rickey's accomplishments as one of the best ever Major League Baseball players. But I will say that he was easily my favorite Oakland Athletic of all time, hands down.
One of my favorite moments was not when he wore an Oakland A's uniform, but when he was a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. He single-handedly disrupted a game by walking, stealing 2nd, getting into the pitcher's head and screwing up that pitcher's delivery to the batter. This basically was the scenario that led to Mitch Williams giving up a walk-off 3-run HR to Joe Carter that delivered Toronto the 1993 World Series championship in Game 6.
Rickey's advantage was unfair. His batting stance was a crouch unlike any other. His strike zone was what was described by a teammate as the size of Hitler's heart. He walked frequently and used it to his advantage by then stealing 2nd. If he felt that he had the advantage after stealing 2nd, Rickey would steal 3rd. Rickey often got into the head of the opposing pitcher because he could be disruptive on the basepaths.
Rickey also hit more leadoff homers (81) than any other player in MLB history. #2 on the list is George Springer, with 60 leadoff HRs. Henderson's batting stance contributed to his leadoff HR record. Small strike zone to begin with, tremendous power in the crouch.
Rickey was one of the most dynamic, exciting players ever to put on a uniform. I feel privileged for having seen him play.