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Thursday, August 21, 2008

A’s Nation: Blez: Rickey Henderson Coming Back to Oakland A’s in Non-Player Role?

One step closer to a ML roster…

Yes, folks, I sat down for a two-hour or so interview with A’s owner Lewis Wolff today at his Los Angeles office and he confirmed to me that he’s in negotiations to bring Rickey Henderson back to the Oakland Athletics, where the greatest player in Oakland history will be when he is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2009.

Lew wasn’t specific with the capacity in which Henderson will be with the organization, but it won’t be as a player. He hinted at a goodwill community ambassador-type of position but that they may also use him to tutor the young A’s. I think they’re still developing what exactly that role will be.

It’s been far too long that Rickey has been away from Oakland and I’m happy to report that, as long as things go well between Wolff and Henderson in negotiations, that will not last much longer. It’s only fitting that Rickey will be Rickey once again with the green and gold in the year that he’ll wind up being enshrined at Cooperstown. Even if it isn’t as a player.

Repoz Posted: August 21, 2008 at 02:19 AM | 20 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
Related News: General, History, Hall of Fame, Oakland

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1. Pat Rapper's Delight Posted: August 21, 2008 at 02:37 AM (#2911136)

TWO!-OH!-OH!-OH! CLAP!-CLAP!-CLAP!CLAP!CLAP! is anxious to see Rickey back in MLB and wishes Rickey would have spent more time on TWO!-OH!-OH!-OH! CLAP!-CLAP!-CLAP!CLAP!CLAP!'s favorite team during Rickey's career.

2. Styles P. Deadball Posted: August 21, 2008 at 02:45 AM (#2911144)

You know what Rickey would say: Rickey can't get in the Hall unless Rickey stops playin'.

3. Dock Ellis on Acid

Posted: August 21, 2008 at 03:10 AM (#2911152)

They say you can't steal first base. But Rickey will find a way.

4. ?Donde esta Dagoberto Campaneris? Posted: August 21, 2008 at 03:12 AM (#2911154)

Based on the current offense, they should let him hit third.

5. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: August 21, 2008 at 03:23 AM (#2911159)

"MC Hammer was the symbol of great Oakland A's goodwill community ambassador-type of positions. But today, I'm the greatest of all time. Thank you."

6. Halofan Posted: August 21, 2008 at 03:47 AM (#2911174)

Besides Dodgers and Angels fans, would you feel alright knowing that your favorite team's owner had an office in L.A.?

7. flournoy Posted: August 21, 2008 at 04:02 AM (#2911179)

Sure, why not? The Braves' owners are based somewhere in Colorado.

8. Boots Day Posted: August 21, 2008 at 04:11 AM (#2911180)

The Braves' owners are based somewhere in Colorado.

That's just for the schools.

9. Gambling Rent Czar Posted: August 21, 2008 at 06:23 AM (#2911203)

The Padres owner lives in Texas.

10. Craig Calcaterra Posted: August 21, 2008 at 08:45 AM (#2911215)

The Royals owner is in Arkansas, isn't he?

11. ?Donde esta Dagoberto Campaneris? Posted: August 21, 2008 at 09:50 AM (#2911218)

Braves, Padres, and Royals - I'm glad my owner is local.

Your Stat of the Day

Runs Scored in August 2008
Matt Holiday - 23
Oakland A's - 45

Anyone want to guess when the last time was that an individual player was able to halve an entire team's run total for a full month. Has it ever happened?

12. Howie Menckel Posted: August 21, 2008 at 10:41 AM (#2911223)

"That's just for the schools."

well played...

13. willcarrollsux Posted: August 21, 2008 at 12:34 PM (#2911285)

Anyone want to guess when the last time was that an individual player was able to halve an entire team's run total for a full month. Has it ever happened?

Yes, it's happened:

June 1963 Houston Colt .45's: 45 runs scored
June 1963 Bob Allison: 25 runs scored

I'm not saying that this is the most recent time it happened, or the most extreme, or even the most extreme within June of 1963. I'm just saying it has happened.

14. Moneyball can't buy you love (Joey B.) Posted: August 21, 2008 at 01:28 PM (#2911363)

I wonder if this is a sign that Oakland is finally starting to figure out that sitting around waiting for a big home run that's never going to come is a lousy way to try and win ballgames, and that they're going to start being more aggressive on the basepaths.

When your offense blows chunks this much, you really do have to take some chances and try to find ways to manufacture runs.

15. jwb Posted: August 21, 2008 at 02:49 PM (#2911465)

Dealer for clubhouse card games?

16. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: August 21, 2008 at 03:05 PM (#2911494)

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950DE4DC1339F931A15755C0A96F948260

The above is the NY Times article about Rickey! being traded from the Yankees to Oakland. Keep in mind as you read it that Rickey! Had a .392 OBA when we was traded. I was just curious what the reaction was on the New York end was back in the day as, you know, there wasn't a whole lot of internet then. Syd Thrift, baby! The part about the Yankees not missing Rickey! because Steve Sax could lead off was particularly fun. Those were indeed dark days for the Yankees. It's also interesting how close Rickey was to being traded to the Giants. Put Rickey on the 1989 Giants and history might have been very different.

17. whoisalhedges Posted: August 21, 2008 at 07:12 PM (#2911914)

Shooty:

Nice find. Here's Rickey's "decline phase" from the 1989 trade till he became a free agent after the 1993 season:

.292/.423/.478 487R 276SB 53CS .839SB%

18. whoisalhedges Posted: August 21, 2008 at 07:13 PM (#2911919)

I always thought Rickey would make a good manager. You know, as long as his team could figure out WTF he was saying.

19. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: August 21, 2008 at 07:15 PM (#2911923)

I always thought Rickey would make a good manager. You know, as long as his team could figure out WTF he was saying.

I'd be all for this as Rickey the Manager would be very entertaining. Of course, I'd want some Dick Cheney-like figure in the background to actually run things.

20. Don't want the truth; just wanna see some dingers Posted: August 21, 2008 at 07:57 PM (#2912018)

I find it amazing that after winning the 1990 MVP, he never received another vote, despite several more 100-run seasons and another couple of stolen base crowns. I mean Juan Pierre recieved votes in two separate years for cryin' out lout.

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Thursday, August 21, 2008

A’s Nation: Blez: Rickey Henderson Coming Back to Oakland A’s in Non-Player Role?

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