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Wednesday, January 14, 2009

RICKEY TO BIG LEAGUE GMS: DON’T LOSE MY NUMBER

If some major league team calls, Rickey still wants to play, be it with the A’s or anybody, one day, one week, one season, whatever; his door is wide open. Rickey is still for hire. Now he just comes with a bronze Hall of Fame plaque.

Henderson and Jim Rice were at a press conference at the Waldorf-Astoria yesterday, the two newest Hall of Famers. After saying he was retired, Rickey went on to add, “but if a club came out and said they needed a left fielder, they needed a guy to get on base and steal a few bases, they can always ring my phone and I’ll come on down and help their ballclub, that’s how much I love the game.”

Rickey at the age of 50 is still the Man of Steal, and if given the opportunity, he incredibly said he would lead the majors in stolen bases.

“I believe today, and people say I’m crazy, but if you gave me as many at-bats that you would give the runners out there today, I would out-steal every last one of them,” Henderson said with typical bravado.

William Taveras, Jacoby Elementary, Carl Crawfish, Jose Ray, Grade Sizemere and Bobby Roberts are tortoise. Rickey is a hare. Rickey is fast. Rickey has speed.

Gamingboy Posted: January 14, 2009 at 11:58 AM | 69 comment(s)
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1. Shooty Did Not Kill McGurk

Posted: January 14, 2009 at 12:39 PM (#3051717)

Yay! I sincerely hope the A's bring him back in September for a game or two.

2. Superunknown Gary Geiger Counter Posted: January 14, 2009 at 12:45 PM (#3051722)

Stealy Dan.

3. Jon Koltz Posted: January 14, 2009 at 12:51 PM (#3051728)

I think Rickey!'s probably wrong.

But I wouldn't bet against him.

4. Guapo Posted: January 14, 2009 at 12:53 PM (#3051730)

I don't know if Rickey could lead the league in steals, but I guarantee he would be in the top ten in walks.

5. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: January 14, 2009 at 12:54 PM (#3051732)

That Henderson wasn't a unanimous selection HOF selection is a Royal Scam.

6. RB in NYC (Now with Resolutions!) Posted: January 14, 2009 at 12:54 PM (#3051734)

Has a Hall of Famer ever played in a Major League game? I know Jose Rijo was on the ballot and came back--and I'm pretty sure he wasn't the first--but has anyone gotten in and then gone back to play? Even better, has anyone ever done it for more than just the novelty?

7. The District Attorney Posted: January 14, 2009 at 12:56 PM (#3051738)

Pretty sure none other than Tom Seaver had a very quickly aborted comeback attempt after being elected.

Edit: Was it Palmer??? Yeesh, that was a pretty awful mistake to make but yeah, I might have been thinking of that.

8. Ryan Jones Posted: January 14, 2009 at 12:57 PM (#3051740)

Has a Hall of Famer ever played in a Major League game? I know Jose Rijo was on the ballot and came back--and I'm pretty sure he wasn't the first--but has anyone gotten in and then gone back to play? Even better, has anyone ever done it for more than just the novelty?

Jim Palmer had his aborted comeback, but I think he's the only hall of famer to seriously try to return to the field as an active player.

9. Best Regards, Larry Mahnken Posted: January 14, 2009 at 12:59 PM (#3051745)

That Henderson wasn't a unanimous selection HOF selection is a Royal Scam.

When A-Rod isn't a unanimous selection, that will be even worse.

10. Ryan Jones Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:03 PM (#3051749)

When A-Rod isn't a unanimous selection, that will be even worse.

It'll be fine. Everyone knows he's a choker.

11. The Most Interesting Man In The World Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:04 PM (#3051751)

This is the second reference to the Phil Collins 1985 hit I've run across in the last three days.

12. 6 - 4 - 3 Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:11 PM (#3051760)

Has a Hall of Famer ever played in a Major League game?

I think that this may have happened in the 1930s, before it was established that a player had to be retired for several seasons before becoming eligible. Actually, in the first few votes, I believe that several active players received HOF votes.

13. SoSHially Unacceptable Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:11 PM (#3051762)

This is the second reference to the Phil Collins 1985 hit I've run across in the last three days.

No, it isn't. That was Billy to whom the number was irreplacable.

GGC notes the actual reference in No. 2.

14. akrasian Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:13 PM (#3051766)

I took it as a reference to the Steely Dan 1974 hit "Rikki Don't Lose That Number"

Edit: Too slow

15. Guapo Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:13 PM (#3051767)

This is the second reference to the Phil Collins 1985 hit I've run across in the last three days.

That's "Don't Lose My Number", which wikipedia helpfully explains, is a song "addressed to someone called "Billy" whom the singer is hoping to find (and hopes Billy still has his number)."

"Rikki Don't Lose That Number" is Steely Dan.

16. The Bones McCoy of THT Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:14 PM (#3051769)

Was Rickey Henderson the Dizzy Dean of his time?

Discuss.

Best Regards

John

17. Superunknown Gary Geiger Counter Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:20 PM (#3051778)

Only if you use Pretzel Logic, John.

18. Kyle C welcomes back our OBP Savior Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:22 PM (#3051783)

If anyone is interested, Rickey is on the MLB network right now. They're talking about the Rickey stories right now. I still can't get over him framing his $1M signing bonus check.

19. The Buddy Biancalana Hit Counter Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:24 PM (#3051787)

I'd take Rickey over Willie Bloomquist. Would've taken him over Joey Gathright, too.

20. Obama Bomaye Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:27 PM (#3051792)

Zips projection on Henderson '09, please.

21. The Bones McCoy of THT Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:30 PM (#3051796)

Only if you use Pretzel Logic, John.

Does one have to be a salty tongued devil to utilize it?

I was speaking more of his braggadocio than anything.

Best Regards

John

22. Shooty Did Not Kill McGurk

Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:31 PM (#3051799)

Here's a question: Andruw Jones vs. Rickey! Right now. Who would you take if you had to play one of them every day?

23. Superunknown Gary Geiger Counter Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:32 PM (#3051801)

Heh, John. I was just riffing on Steely Dan. This thread got me to switch to my Pandora station based on them, the Shadows, and Moby. It's eclectic.

24. The Good Face Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:37 PM (#3051806)

Here's a question: Andruw Jones vs. Rickey! Right now. Who would you take if you had to play one of them every day?

Ricky! I'd bet Ricky could manage a OBP > .300 right now, and could probably still steal bases at a decent clip assuming he didn't break a hip trying. Plus Ricky is a fun guy to have around and loves to play baseball. Jones is just depressing at this point.

25. The Bones McCoy of THT Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:39 PM (#3051810)

Heh, John. I was just riffing on Steely Dan. This thread got me to switch to my Pandora station based on them, the Sahdows, and Moby. It's eclectic.

D'OH!!!

Me so silly. It's freakin' cold up here and I think it froze my brain this aft.

Ah well.

Best Regards

John

26. mrams Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:42 PM (#3051812)

Yay! I sincerely hope the A's bring him back in September for a game or two.

I think even the A's know you Can't Buy A Thrill.

27. Tripon Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:43 PM (#3051813)

When A-Rod isn't a unanimous selection, that will be even worse.

Or Albert Pujols.

28. Ryan Jones Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:48 PM (#3051819)

Or Albert Pujols.

He's obviously lying about his age. Plus, there was that report that his trainer was linked to PEDs by Grimsley. Yeah, it turned out to be false, but where there's smoke, there's fire.

29. Swoboda is freedom Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:50 PM (#3051823)

Yay! I sincerely hope the A's bring him back in September for a game or two.

I think even the A's know you Can't Buy A Thrill.

But they could be reeling in the years, and stowing away the times.

30. AJM Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:51 PM (#3051825)

Rickey! rocks!

31. Brandon in MO (Fire Trey Hillman) Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:52 PM (#3051829)

i'm disappointed that Rickey didn't deliver his part of the Top 10 list in third person last night on Letterman

32. Sheer Tim Foli

Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:55 PM (#3051834)

Every team should be obligated to field a bona-fide old-time HOFer every game. For no other reason than my own amusement.

Oh - also a guy whose never played before so we can get the whole spectrum.

33. Tropical Storm Davis aka Quilvio "Ebola" Veras Posted: January 14, 2009 at 01:57 PM (#3051839)

Or Albert Pujols.

Just wait until he says, "St. Louis, Toodle-Oo"

34. Joey B. Posted: January 14, 2009 at 02:01 PM (#3051848)

I heard that the Giants were considering him, but he was a bit on the young side.

35. Tropical Storm Davis aka Quilvio "Ebola" Veras Posted: January 14, 2009 at 02:02 PM (#3051852)

A bit long in the tooth, but he's still a Jack of Speed.

36. SoSHially Unacceptable Posted: January 14, 2009 at 02:03 PM (#3051854)

Yay! I sincerely hope the A's bring him back in September for a game or two.

I think even the A's know you Can't Buy A Thrill.

But they could be reeling in the years, and stowing away the times.

If not Oakland, there's always Aja.

37. Superunknown Gary Geiger Counter Posted: January 14, 2009 at 02:07 PM (#3051864)

I was speaking more of his braggadocio than anything.

I thought you were talking more about his fame; like Andy/Moscow was in a recent thread.

38. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: January 14, 2009 at 02:18 PM (#3051880)

Just wait until he says, "St. Louis, Toodle-Oo"

DUKE ELLINGTON PLEASE

39. Dan Szymborski

Posted: January 14, 2009 at 02:31 PM (#3051895)

Zips projection on Henderson '09, please.

6-33, 1 double, 6 walks, 7 strikeouts, 182/349/212.

40. Shooty Did Not Kill McGurk

Posted: January 14, 2009 at 02:34 PM (#3051901)

6-33, 1 double, 6 walks, 7 strikeouts, 182/349/212.

That settles it. Rickey! > Andruw Jones.

41. mrams Posted: January 14, 2009 at 02:53 PM (#3051935)

Just wait until he says, "St. Louis, Toodle-Oo"

That track and Charlie Freak (which has Christmas-like bells) may be the two strangest tracks that Steely Dan has ever recorded, or perhaps, they simply stand out awkwardly next to everything else they've done.

42. galaxieboi Posted: January 14, 2009 at 03:15 PM (#3051977)

If we're going to use an exclamation point for Rickey!, can we still use one for Ichiro!?

43. Ryan Jones Posted: January 14, 2009 at 03:19 PM (#3051980)

If we're going to use an exclamation point for Rickey!, can we still use one for Ichiro!?

Perhaps we should just upgrade him from Rickey! to Rickey!!. That'll help to keep them distinct.

44. Stately, Plump Buck Mulligan Posted: January 14, 2009 at 03:54 PM (#3052043)

That track and Charlie Freak (which has Christmas-like bells) may be the two strangest tracks that Steely Dan has ever recorded, or perhaps, they simply stand out awkwardly next to everything else they've done.

I'd include "Through with Buzz" on that list, and maybe "FM" for the orchestra.

I love the Dan -- probably seen them in concert ten times -- although I like the late 70's stuff better than early 70's. Favorites:

1. Black Cow

2. Peg

3. Deacon Blues

4. Kid Charlemagne

5. Third World Man

6. Chain Lightning

7. Doctor Wu

8. Time Out of Mind

9. The Second Arrangement

10. Hey Nineteen

I even like their new stuff (The Last Mall better than Two Against Nature).

"East St. Louis" is one of only a few SD tracks not written solely by Fagen and Becker. There's also "The Fez" and "Gaucho" (on which Keith Jarrett receives a co-writing credit because they stole the melody of one of his songs). Not counting "Rikki," which steals shamelessly from Horace Silver.

45. Van Lingle Mungo Jerry Posted: January 14, 2009 at 03:58 PM (#3052051)

That's a good list, Buck, but the absence of "Any World (That I'm Welcome To)" sticks out like a sore thumb for me.

46. sardonic Posted: January 14, 2009 at 04:10 PM (#3052073)

Perhaps we should just upgrade him from Rickey! to Rickey!!. That'll help to keep them distinct.

Rickeybang!

47. North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan Posted: January 14, 2009 at 04:26 PM (#3052085)

I heard that the Giants were considering him, but he was a bit on the young side.

That joke is just threadbare at this point. We've moved on to promoting from A-ball to the majors now.

48. Mike Green Posted: January 14, 2009 at 04:27 PM (#3052086)

Rickey says that Rickey just wants to go back and do it again.

49. Tropical Storm Davis aka Quilvio "Ebola" Veras Posted: January 14, 2009 at 04:49 PM (#3052110)

"Peg" and "Deacon Blues" are probably my two favorites, and I love the whole "Pretzel Logic" album.

50. The Most Interesting Man In The World Posted: January 14, 2009 at 05:04 PM (#3052133)

That's "Don't Lose My Number", which wikipedia helpfully explains, is a song "addressed to someone called "Billy" whom the singer is hoping to find (and hopes Billy still has his number)."

Well, don't you get it? Rickey! is pleading for Billy Beane to not lose his number.

51. Craig K Posted: January 14, 2009 at 05:09 PM (#3052134)

Come on, a one game contract for an actual, plaque-in-Cooperstown Hall of Famer?

I'd do it in a heartbeat if I was a GM.

52. Obama Bomaye Posted: January 14, 2009 at 05:17 PM (#3052140)

And then Fay Vincent would void the contract.

53. akrasian Posted: January 14, 2009 at 05:18 PM (#3052141)

Wouldn't that have to be approved by the commissioner's office? I don't know if they would if it was viewed just as a stunt (and yes, I know about Minnie Minoso - I just don't think it would be allowed now)

Edit: I'm slow in this thread - that's what I get for letting work take precedence (somewhat) over posting.

54. mrams Posted: January 14, 2009 at 05:18 PM (#3052143)

Great list in #44. I love The Fez and Green Earings in addition to those listed. Obviously you're an Aja fan above all else.

Why does David Palmer sing 'Dirty Work' and couple of other tunes. Was Donald awol?

55. The Most Interesting Man In The World Posted: January 14, 2009 at 05:22 PM (#3052147)

Steely Dan is #2 on my list of "Guilty Displeasures", behind Pink Floyd. Yes, I'm a sad human being.

56. Dan Evensen Posted: January 14, 2009 at 07:00 PM (#3052233)

I hope somebody takes Rickey up on his offer. Where's Bill Veeck when you need him?

57. Non-Youkilidian Geometry Posted: January 14, 2009 at 07:11 PM (#3052245)

Rickey at the age of 50 is still the Man of Steal, and if given the opportunity, he incredibly said he would lead the majors in stolen bases.

Unfortunately, at this point Rickey is really just a shadow of the man that I once knew. He's done all he can do.

58. Stately, Plump Buck Mulligan Posted: January 14, 2009 at 07:35 PM (#3052260)

Why does David Palmer sing 'Dirty Work' and couple of other tunes. Was Donald awol?

I believe ABC Records, the band's recording label at the beginning of their career, didn't like Donald Fagen's voice -- they made the band take on Palmer. Once the songs Fagen sang became hits, Palmer was dropped. In concert, the band's very capable (female) backup singers perform "Dirty Work." (I've never heard them do Palmer's other song, "Brooklyn (Owes the Charmer Under Me)." I think the band does "Midnight Cruiser," which was originally sung by Jim Hodder, but with Becker on lead vocals.)

59. Dag Nabbit: formerly tolerant of lactose Posted: January 14, 2009 at 07:38 PM (#3052262)

I heard that the Giants were considering him, but he was a bit on the young side.

But they could have a change of heart.

60. Misirlou had a hedge back home in the suburbs Posted: January 14, 2009 at 07:47 PM (#3052271)

Great list in #44. I love The Fez and Green Earings in addition to those listed. Obviously you're an Aja fan above all else.

Don't Take me Alive.

Edit:

Also:

Your Gold Teeth
My Old School
Parker's Band

61. Dag Nabbit: formerly tolerant of lactose Posted: January 14, 2009 at 07:55 PM (#3052275)

Am I the only person who thinks Daddy Don't Live in That New York City No More is one of their best songs?

62. Misirlou had a hedge back home in the suburbs Posted: January 14, 2009 at 07:59 PM (#3052277)

Am I the only person who thinks Daddy Don't Live in That New York City No More is one of their best songs?

If by best you mean a very good enjoyable song, no. I like nearly everything on their first 4 albums.

63. Non-Youkilidian Geometry Posted: January 14, 2009 at 08:24 PM (#3052295)

I believe ABC Records, the band's recording label at the beginning of their career, didn't like Donald Fagen's voice -- they made the band take on Palmer.

I've heard that part of the reason Palmer was around was because Fagen had stage fright and was reluctant to sing in front of a live audience, and that during the Dan's early live shows around the time of "Can't Buy a Thrill" Palmer sang most of the songs where Fagen had handled the vocals in the studio.

64. Stately, Plump Buck Mulligan Posted: January 14, 2009 at 09:12 PM (#3052318)

Also:

Your Gold Teeth
My Old School
Parker's Band

Those are probably my three favorite "Steely Dan: the early years" jams. Maybe I'd add "The Boston Rag."

65. akrasian Posted: January 14, 2009 at 09:37 PM (#3052341)

64 posts, and nobody has mentioned "Bodhisattva" yet? Forgotten, or is that I'm the only one who still likes that song?

66. tobelerone Posted: January 15, 2009 at 02:48 AM (#3052493)

Any Major Dude Will Tell You
Haitian Divorce
Rose Darling
Glamour Profession
Only a Fool Would Say That
Babylon Sister
Monkey in Your SOul

etc. So many great tunes.

67. tobelerone Posted: January 15, 2009 at 02:49 AM (#3052494)

Any Major Dude Will Tell You
Haitian Divorce
Rose Darling
Glamour Profession
Only a Fool Would Say That
Babylon Sister
Monkey in Your SOul

etc. So many great tunes.

68. tobelerone Posted: January 15, 2009 at 02:50 AM (#3052495)

Dag nabbit.

69. Zooooooook (jonathan) Posted: January 15, 2009 at 03:00 AM (#3052499)

Forget ARod and Pujols getting in unanimously, Greg Maddux is the real test.

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RICKEY TO BIG LEAGUE GMS: DON’T LOSE MY NUMBER

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