Why is Rickey Henderson still playing?

GrantDawg · 07-10-2003, 11:04 AM

He just won MVP at a minor league All Star game. The guy is 44 and he still playing minor league ball. What does he have left to prove? What does he have left to offer (besides a really bad attitude)? Does just not have any other life?

korme · 07-10-2003, 11:07 AM

Rickey don't care what GrantDawg thinks.

GrantDawg · 07-10-2003, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shorty3281
Rickey don't care what GrantDawg thinks.

Not many do.

cthomer5000 · 07-10-2003, 11:15 AM

stkelly52 · 07-10-2003, 11:17 AM

i would guess that it is because he doesn't know what else to do, plus he enjoys playing.

clintl · 07-10-2003, 11:22 AM

I've never liked Rickey, but I think people overvalue the idea of great players having a dignified retirement, and that if a player still wants to play, and still can play at some level, then there's no reason to stop. And if other people have a problem with that, it's their problem, not his. I know Rickey still wants to get back to the majors, but if he never does, but can still play well enough to do so in the Atlantic League until he's 50 or 60 and wants to play, why should anyone else care?

cmp · 07-10-2003, 11:49 AM

Maybe he just still loves to play the game.

Axxon · 07-10-2003, 11:51 AM

Maybe he just can't find a decent card game anywhere else.

tucker342 · 07-10-2003, 11:53 AM

hahahaha

Hey, if he can still play, than I say go for it!

sony · 07-10-2003, 11:53 AM

Ricky's got me convinced that he is playing for "the love of the game"

Ben E Lou · 07-10-2003, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cthomer5000
$$$$

Actually, it is costing Rickey more money to live in an apartment near the stadium he's playing in than he's making. (Granted, if he gets back to the majors that won't be the case.) There was a great SI article about him a couple of weeks ago, that was pretty dadgum hilarious too. I am more and more convinced he's playing because he loves to play.

scooper · 07-10-2003, 12:09 PM

Because chicks dig the long ball.

oykib · 07-10-2003, 12:32 PM

The real quiestion is: what good reason is there for Rickey not to be playing in the majors. He'd put up a nearly .400 OBP. He'd still steal at an 80% clip. Also, despite the fact that the media hate him, he's a good influence on young players. Every place he's gone in recent years has seen at least one young player take a quantum leap in plate discipline.

He's certainly well above the replacement level. And he'd play for the minimum.

QuikSand · 07-10-2003, 12:41 PM

Seems sort of funny. There's always some hue and cry whenever we feel that an athlete is "doing it just for the money." But then along comes a story like this - where the potential financial upside for doing what he's doing has to be just tiny. (Maybe he parlays this into a short-term MLB contract at the veteran minimum) So he's doing it for the love of the game? Because he just likes to play? Any reason except the money?

What the hell is going on here? How can this be? Insane!

TLK · 07-10-2003, 12:58 PM

Rickey Henderson is one hell of a free agent pickup in All-Star Baseball 2004

neofied · 07-10-2003, 01:06 PM

From what I've read Rickey is indeed playing for the love of the game. He's willing to play for major league minimum if a team picks him up. But he wants to have a role and not just be bench player.

The other thing I've heard is that he also wants to return to the A's, his hometown team, to retire there.

CamEdwards · 07-10-2003, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sony
Ricky's got me convinced that he is playing for "the love of the game"

me too.

Ben E Lou · 07-10-2003, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by oykib
The real quiestion is: what good reason is there for Rickey not to be playing in the majors. He'd put up a nearly .400 OBP. He'd still steal at an 80% clip. Also, despite the fact that the media hate him, he's a good influence on young players. Every place he's gone in recent years has seen at least one young player take a quantum leap in plate discipline.

He's certainly well above the replacement level. And he'd play for the minimum.

Well, if a team has a starting LF who is better, or a youngster that they'd like to give playing time to, I can see why, but I'd imagine that there's SOMEONE that could use him for the rest of the year. I'll bet he gets picked up by someone for the stretch drive.

Alan T · 07-10-2003, 01:34 PM

I think he is still playing to one day be able to qualify for the Rwbl hof...

Sorry , that was rather inside.. but now vtbub can kill me

vtbub · 07-10-2003, 01:37 PM

Just one atbat, damnit, one lousy plate appearence.

Cutting off Bug's supply of Fish Taco's

Craptacular · 07-10-2003, 01:37 PM

Maybe Rickey still needs another 5 years to work on Rickey's HOF induction speech.

vtbub · 07-10-2003, 01:40 PM

Imagine him hiring Pete Rose to write the speech.

Ksyrup · 07-10-2003, 01:47 PM

If there's anything selfish about his actions, it might be that he wants to continue to add to his already-impressive, HoF numbers. That could be the reason he is continuing to play, in the hopes of getting back to the majors to pad his numbers. For that reason, I might be inclined to view him differently than, say, Rod Beck, who is a great story as well. But I don't really know why Rickey's doing what he's doing, so it certainly sounds better to say he's doing it "for the love of the game," doesn't it?

The thing is, put aside his attitude and declining defensive value, and he's still pretty productive as a hitter. Even when he hits .230, he still has an OBP of around .375.

GrantDawg · 07-10-2003, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by QuikSand
Seems sort of funny. There's always some hue and cry whenever we feel that an athlete is "doing it just for the money." But then along comes a story like this - where the potential financial upside for doing what he's doing has to be just tiny. (Maybe he parlays this into a short-term MLB contract at the veteran minimum) So he's doing it for the love of the game? Because he just likes to play? Any reason except the money?

What the hell is going on here? How can this be? Insane!

That would work with many other players, but Rickey has never been interested in anything but Rickey, and the only thing he truly loves is Rickey.

Ben E Lou · 07-10-2003, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ksyrup
If there's anything selfish about his actions, it might be that he wants to continue to add to his already-impressive, HoF numbers. That could be the reason he is continuing to play, in the hopes of getting back to the majors to pad his numbers.

While a possibility, that one just doesn't wash with me. He's a first-ballot Hall of Famer as is, and he's passed all the "magic" numbers he can pass (3000 hits, 1st in runs, 1st in SB's). What good do slightly better numbers do for him at this point?

JPhillips · 07-10-2003, 07:28 PM

The ESPN piece really showed me a different side of Rickey. The guy just can't be happy without baseball. I think its great that he is willing to work with these kids and help them work their way up. My one worry is that Rickey won't be able to function once his playing days are really, finally over.

tucker342 · 07-10-2003, 09:04 PM

There was a great article in Sports Illustrated a couple of months ago about why he's still playing.

MikeVic · 07-12-2003, 03:10 AM

I love Rickey! I want him to play for as long as he wants to. I hope the Expos sign him

SteelerFan448 · 07-12-2003, 10:15 AM

Before the season ESPN had Henderson on there saying he wanted to just play baseball and they also used it as a pitch if any major league teams wanted/needed him. Much of the time, great players just can't stay away from the game. Henderson is lucky that he can still play at this point.

tucker342 · 07-12-2003, 10:22 AM

It seems like he is still very good. I don't see why someone doesn't pick him up.

Ben E Lou · 07-12-2003, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tucker342
It seems like he is still very good. I don't see why someone doesn't pick him up.

I think the sticking point is that he wants to play every day.

MrBug708 · 07-12-2003, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vtbub
Just one atbat, damnit, one lousy plate appearence.

Cutting off Bug's supply of Fish Taco's

Hey now, if they came with Daisy Fuentes, wouldnt you want as many as possible?

EagleFan · 07-13-2003, 12:25 AM

It sounds kind of like baseball is to Rickey as _____ is/are to Darryl.

tucker342 · 07-13-2003, 12:33 AM

DATE: 07-12-2003
STATUS: News SKINNY: Henderson may have played his last game for the Newark Bears, Bears' intern Laura Rusignola reports.

DATE: 07-08-2003
STATUS: News SKINNY: The Dodgers are keeping an eye on the progress of Henderson in the Atlantic League, the L.A. Times reports.

DATE: 06-01-2003
STATUS: News SKINNY: The Yankees' front office reportedly discussed the possibility of signing Henderson, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
-------------------------------------------------
This is from ESPN, it's looking like Rickey is close to signing with a team

MikeVic · 07-13-2003, 01:50 AM

Whoo!! I hope it happens! Not with the Yankees though

B & B · 07-16-2003, 05:14 PM

Grantdawg asks, and the answer comes in less than a week since he is now a Dodger.

Has to be an improvement in run production.
Can their offense get any worse, really?

Story

http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2003/0715/1581099.html

alterra · 07-16-2003, 09:13 PM

You all might think I'm nuts, but I am absolutely 100% believe that Ricky will someday make a fine manager.

vulcan · 07-16-2003, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Shorty3281
Rickey don't care what GrantDawg thinks.

Bwaaahahahahahaha

Axxon · 07-16-2003, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by alterra
You all might think I'm nuts, but I am absolutely 100% believe that Ricky will someday make a fine manager.

You may well be nuts alterra but I agree with you. All knocks aside I believe Rickey cares about baseball and is good for baseball and he seems to be finally beginning to understand what that means. Sometimes people wake up once their gift is no longer enough to get them by anymore. It sounds like this stint in the minors woke Rickey up and he seems to have enjoyed the role of mentor to the young guys while still striving to better his own game.

I'd definitely like to see him managing someday.

07-10-2003, 11:17 AM	#5
stkelly52 College Benchwarmer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Seattle WA	i would guess that it is because he doesn't know what else to do, plus he enjoys playing. __________________ Check out an undrafted free agent's attempt to make the Hall of Fame: Running to the Hall Now nominated for a Golden Scribe!

07-10-2003, 11:51 AM	#8
Axxon Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Phoenix, AZ	Maybe he just can't find a decent card game anywhere else. __________________ There are no houris, alas, in our heaven.

07-10-2003, 12:32 PM	#13
oykib College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000	The real quiestion is: what good reason is there for Rickey not to be playing in the majors. He'd put up a nearly .400 OBP. He'd still steal at an 80% clip. Also, despite the fact that the media hate him, he's a good influence on young players. Every place he's gone in recent years has seen at least one young player take a quantum leap in plate discipline. He's certainly well above the replacement level. And he'd play for the minimum. Last edited by oykib : 07-10-2003 at 12:33 PM.

07-10-2003, 01:34 PM	#19
Alan T Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mass.	I think he is still playing to one day be able to qualify for the Rwbl hof... Sorry , that was rather inside.. but now vtbub can kill me __________________ Couch to ??k - From the couch to a Marathon in roughly 18 months.

07-10-2003, 01:37 PM	#20
vtbub College Starter Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Burlington, VT USA	Just one atbat, damnit, one lousy plate appearence. Cutting off Bug's supply of Fish Taco's __________________

07-10-2003, 11:07 AM	#2
korme Go Reds Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bloodbuzz Ohio	Rickey don't care what GrantDawg thinks.

07-10-2003, 11:22 AM	#6
clintl College Starter Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Davis, CA	I've never liked Rickey, but I think people overvalue the idea of great players having a dignified retirement, and that if a player still wants to play, and still can play at some level, then there's no reason to stop. And if other people have a problem with that, it's their problem, not his. I know Rickey still wants to get back to the majors, but if he never does, but can still play well enough to do so in the Atlantic League until he's 50 or 60 and wants to play, why should anyone else care?

07-10-2003, 11:49 AM	#7
cmp Pro Rookie Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Grand Rapids, MI	Maybe he just still loves to play the game.

07-10-2003, 11:53 AM	#9
tucker342 Pro Starter Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Iowa City, IA	hahahaha Hey, if he can still play, than I say go for it!

07-10-2003, 11:53 AM	#10
sony High School JV Join Date: May 2002 Location: Travis AFB, CA	Ricky's got me convinced that he is playing for "the love of the game"

07-10-2003, 12:09 PM	#12
scooper College Benchwarmer Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Cinn City	Because chicks dig the long ball.

07-10-2003, 12:41 PM	#14
QuikSand lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Annapolis, Md	Seems sort of funny. There's always some hue and cry whenever we feel that an athlete is "doing it just for the money." But then along comes a story like this - where the potential financial upside for doing what he's doing has to be just tiny. (Maybe he parlays this into a short-term MLB contract at the veteran minimum) So he's doing it for the love of the game? Because he just likes to play? Any reason except the money? What the hell is going on here? How can this be? Insane!

07-10-2003, 12:58 PM	#15
TLK Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Allen Park, MI	Rickey Henderson is one hell of a free agent pickup in All-Star Baseball 2004

07-10-2003, 01:06 PM	#16
neofied Banned Join Date: Jun 2003	From what I've read Rickey is indeed playing for the love of the game. He's willing to play for major league minimum if a team picks him up. But he wants to have a role and not just be bench player. The other thing I've heard is that he also wants to return to the A's, his hometown team, to retire there.

07-10-2003, 01:37 PM	#21
Craptacular College Starter Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: The Mad City, WI	Maybe Rickey still needs another 5 years to work on Rickey's HOF induction speech.

07-10-2003, 01:40 PM	#22
vtbub College Starter Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Burlington, VT USA	Imagine him hiring Pete Rose to write the speech. __________________

07-10-2003, 01:47 PM	#23
Ksyrup This guy has posted so much, his fingers are about to fall off. Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: In Absentia	If there's anything selfish about his actions, it might be that he wants to continue to add to his already-impressive, HoF numbers. That could be the reason he is continuing to play, in the hopes of getting back to the majors to pad his numbers. For that reason, I might be inclined to view him differently than, say, Rod Beck, who is a great story as well. But I don't really know why Rickey's doing what he's doing, so it certainly sounds better to say he's doing it "for the love of the game," doesn't it? The thing is, put aside his attitude and declining defensive value, and he's still pretty productive as a hitter. Even when he hits .230, he still has an OBP of around .375. __________________ M's pitcher Miguel Batista: "Now, I feel like I've had everything. I've talked pitching with Sandy Koufax, had Kenny G play for me. Maybe if I could have an interview with God, then I'd be served. I'd be complete."

07-10-2003, 07:28 PM	#26
JPhillips Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Newburgh, NY	The ESPN piece really showed me a different side of Rickey. The guy just can't be happy without baseball. I think its great that he is willing to work with these kids and help them work their way up. My one worry is that Rickey won't be able to function once his playing days are really, finally over. __________________ To love someone is to strive to accept that person exactly the way he or she is, right here and now.. - Mr. Rogers

07-10-2003, 09:04 PM	#27
tucker342 Pro Starter Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Iowa City, IA	There was a great article in Sports Illustrated a couple of months ago about why he's still playing.

07-12-2003, 03:10 AM	#28
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	I love Rickey! I want him to play for as long as he wants to. I hope the Expos sign him

07-12-2003, 10:15 AM	#29
SteelerFan448 High School JV Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Steeler Country	Before the season ESPN had Henderson on there saying he wanted to just play baseball and they also used it as a pitch if any major league teams wanted/needed him. Much of the time, great players just can't stay away from the game. Henderson is lucky that he can still play at this point. __________________ "Yoi!"-Myron Cope

07-12-2003, 10:22 AM	#30
tucker342 Pro Starter Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Iowa City, IA	It seems like he is still very good. I don't see why someone doesn't pick him up.

07-13-2003, 12:25 AM	#33
EagleFan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Mays Landing, NJ USA	It sounds kind of like baseball is to Rickey as _____ is/are to Darryl. __________________ The EagleFan YouTube Channel - Reactions Soarin' & Scratchin' YouTube Channel - We react to music, videos, TV, we talk, we are planning some field trips Soarin' & Soothin' - Meditation, Relaxation, and Sleep Aid; mental health is important

07-13-2003, 12:33 AM	#34
tucker342 Pro Starter Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Iowa City, IA	DATE: 07-12-2003 STATUS: News SKINNY: Henderson may have played his last game for the Newark Bears, Bears' intern Laura Rusignola reports. DATE: 07-08-2003 STATUS: News SKINNY: The Dodgers are keeping an eye on the progress of Henderson in the Atlantic League, the L.A. Times reports. DATE: 06-01-2003 STATUS: News SKINNY: The Yankees' front office reportedly discussed the possibility of signing Henderson, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. ------------------------------------------------- This is from ESPN, it's looking like Rickey is close to signing with a team Last edited by tucker342 : 07-13-2003 at 12:33 AM.

07-13-2003, 01:50 AM	#35
MikeVic Head Coach Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hometown of Canada	Whoo!! I hope it happens! Not with the Yankees though

07-16-2003, 05:14 PM	#36
B & B College Benchwarmer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: A sports era long ago when everything didnt require a Nike logo	Grantdawg asks, and the answer comes in less than a week since he is now a Dodger. Has to be an improvement in run production. Can their offense get any worse, really? Story http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2003/0715/1581099.html __________________ Nobody cares about Kyle Orton because he's black. -PT

07-16-2003, 09:13 PM	#37
alterra Mascot Join Date: Jul 2003	You all might think I'm nuts, but I am absolutely 100% believe that Ricky will someday make a fine manager.

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