The Glory of Being Rickey

It is Rickey! He's not quite in all his glory, but he's glorious none- theless.

I think a tribute is in order. So, here's a few stories on the glory of being Rickey Henderson, starting with his habit of referring to hemself in the third person:

While in Seattle, Rickey struck out, and as the next batter was walking past him, he heard Henderson say, “Don’t worry, Rickey, you’re still the best.”

A reporter asked Henderson if Ken Caminiti’s estimate that 50 percent of Major League players were taking steroids was accurate. His response was, “Well, Rickey’s not one of them, so that’s 49 percent right there.”

The year he ended up playing with the Red Sox, he called San Diego GM Kevin Towers and left the following message: “This is Rickey calling on behalf of Rickey. Rickey wants to play baseball.”

What life is like when you are Rickey Henderson:

In the early 1980s, the Oakland A’s accounting department was freaking out. The books were off $1 million. After an investigation, it was determined Rickey was the reason why. The GM asked him about a $1 million bonus he had received and Rickey said instead of cashing it, he framed it and hung it on a wall at his house.

During one of his stays with Oakland, Henderson’s locker was next to Billy Beane’s. After making the team out of spring training, Beane was sent to the minors after a few months. Upon his return, about six weeks later, Henderson looked at Beane and said, “Hey, man, where have you been? Haven’t seen you in awhile.”

Henderson once fell asleep on an ice pack and got frostbite – which forced him to miss three games — in mid-August.

Henderson broke Ty Cobb’s career record for runs scored with a home run. After taking his usual 45 seconds or so around the bases, Rickey slid into home plate.

San Diego GM Kevin Towers was trying to contact Rickey at a nearby hotel. He knew Henderson always used fake names to avoid the press, fans, etc. He was trying to think like Rickey and after several attempts; he was able to get Henderson on the phone. Rickey had checked in under Richard Pryor.

And, finally, a story about Rickey in all his glory:

To this day and dating back 25 years, before every game he plays, Henderson stands completely naked in front of a full length locker room mirror and says, “Rickey’s the best,” for several minutes.

(Adapted from this source.)

Thanks, Joe.