RIP RICKEY HENDERSON

[WesCrook]

Rickey recalled the time he got a call from Oakland's accounting department asking about the $1 million check (that he framed) instead of cashing.

"You know when you're a kid — you want to be a millionaire," Henderson explained. "And at the time I got a signing bonus for $1 million I go, 'Wow I'm a millionaire! So I'm gonna frame this here check.' And put it on my wall when I became a millionaire..."

"The Oakland A's finally called me when they was doing they booking in December and asked where was the check and I said it was on my wall," the 10-time All-Star continued. "They said, 'Can you take it down, go cash it and then put a duplicate in the frame?' So I eventually took the check down and cashed it."

The story is a near-perfect encapsulation of Rickey's charismatic, over-the-top persona and is certainly a memory many fans will remember fondly.

 

[mson]

 

[NYC Rebel]

I lived in a condo in Newark around the corner from the former stadium where Rickey played for the now defunct Newark Bears. I only thought about what is now an empty lot when I walked past it because of him.

 

[Born2BKing]

 

[NYC Rebel]

“ So the A’s used to fine us for head first slides. One day during Spring Training our farm director Keith Lieppman (Lip) was explaining why.

Rickey was standing next to him looking distraught so said “Hey Rick! What’s the fastest way to slide?”

He goes “Head first, baby!”

Lip couldn’t help but laugh and says “Aw come on Rickey you’re messing with the curriculum!”

I shyt you not they STILL fined us for sliding head first and Rickey would pay it for us.”

 

[Redwood]

Mad late on this but RIP

 

[Jaylen Tatum]

RIP

 

[K-Apps]

I lived in a condo in Newark around the corner from the former stadium where Rickey played for the now defunct Newark Bears. I only thought about what is now an empty lot when I walked past it because of him.

I went to a game when he and Canseco were playing back then. I wish I appreciated that experience as a kid. As for that empty lot, they were suppose to become mixed-use apartments/offices/commercial stores, but those plans have been stalled.

 

[NYC Rebel]

MJ
LT
Ali
Deion
Rickey

Are the most still seem current to young people athletes I know.

You don’t have to do a lot of explaining to young people to know who these athletes were. That’s why this shyt hurts. Ricky still feels so fukking present to me and this man retired over a decade ago.

The hurt feels so current

 

[mson]

 

[Trips]

Bryant: Rickey Henderson wasn't as good as he says he was -- he was better

Henderson became one of baseball's icons thanks to his flamboyant personality -- and sheer dominance.

www.espn.com

I'll say it again. Do yourselves a favor and get Howard's Bio on Rickey.


also not sure if it's been shared.



basically day ones. I can't even fathom doing such an impossible thing at the highest of levels with one of your best friends. Prayers up for Dave as well man.

 

[MikelArteta]

Rickey recalled the time he got a call from Oakland's accounting department asking about the $1 million check (that he framed) instead of cashing.

"You know when you're a kid — you want to be a millionaire," Henderson explained. "And at the time I got a signing bonus for $1 million I go, 'Wow I'm a millionaire! So I'm gonna frame this here check.' And put it on my wall when I became a millionaire..."

"The Oakland A's finally called me when they was doing they booking in December and asked where was the check and I said it was on my wall," the 10-time All-Star continued. "They said, 'Can you take it down, go cash it and then put a duplicate in the frame?' So I eventually took the check down and cashed it."

The story is a near-perfect encapsulation of Rickey's charismatic, over-the-top persona and is certainly a memory many fans will remember fondly.

breh was good with his $$

 

[feelosofer]

I’m not old enough, but was he the best player of the 1980s?

He's def has a seat at that table with a glass of Henny

 

[Lucky_Lefty]

I'll say it again. Do yourselves a favor and get Howard's Bio on Rickey.


also not sure if it's been shared.



basically day ones. I can't even fathom doing such an impossible thing at the highest of levels with one of your best friends. Prayers up for Dave as well man.

iirc, Rickey was going to SoCal or Az State for football as a RB but decided to play baseball instead. The amount of pro guys he played with and against at Oakland Tech is crazy as well (incl. Dave Stewart & fmr Huskies WR Dante Pettis' dad).

Some of my favorite quotes from that book:

about the privilege of playing for the lordly Yankees before his debut, Rickey said of the hallowed ghosts, “I don’t care about them. I never saw DiMaggio and Mantle play. It’s Rickey time.”

On Friday, May 24, the Yankees were in Oakland. In anticipation of his return home for the first time since being traded, Rickey had already told the writers that “two-thirds of the fans will be there to see Rickey, two-thirds to see Billy and two-thirds to see the Yankees.”

Back as a young player, Rickey had been told by Reggie not to sign his name too often. Too many signatures flooded the market. It was better to wait until later—scarcity drove up the price. “If you don’t sign your name now,” Reggie told Rickey, “you can live off of it later.” That was why Rickey never signed bases.

Talking about Billy Beane

Billy was four years younger than Rickey. The two had not only been teammates on the 1989 title team but shared adjacent lockers. Billy would never forget June 12 of that year, the day he was sent down to Triple-A Tacoma. When Billy got the return call on August 18, Rickey looked at him quizzically when he showed up in the clubhouse and said, “Where you been?” “Rickey,” Beane said incredulously, “I got sent down. I’ve been gone two months.” “Really?” Rickey said. “I was wondering why I hadn’t seen you around here.”

When Rickey arrived at Fenway that morning, he passed the rows of cars that lined the players’ lot along Van Ness Street—and there sat the Thunderbird. Rickey looked at the lot attendant and said to the kid, “Whose piece of shyt is that?” The attendant stammered, “It’s . . . umm . . . it’s yours, Rickey. They’re giving it to you on the field today.” “Oh, okay. I think I’ll give it to one of my daughters.”

 

[Bleed The Freak]

RIP. Sad sad news