Rickey Henderson a Certain Hall of Famer
No Doubt Stolen Base Leader a First Ballot Selection
Dec 1, 2008
Rickey Henderson will be named to the Hall of Fame when results of balloting are announced in January. Voting has yet to be tabulated, but It is an absolute certainty the speedy left fielder will earn induction in 2009, his first year eligible. "Rickey ready," as Henderson used to tell reporters when asked of his availability to play on a given day. Rickey is indeed ready for his moment in the sun. Sadly, though, he may enter the Hall alone.
History's greatest lead off man a lock for first ballot induction
Henderson scored more runs and stole more bases than any man in baseball history, but though he was most known for being a thief, he won't have to steal a spot in Cooperstown. The most incredible number when talking about Henderson is 25 -- the number of years he played in the Major Leagues. It is an astounding fact, given that his game was predicated on speed, but Henderson had a once-in-a-lifetime physique that held up incredibly well over the years.
Henderson scored 2,295 runs and stole 1,406 bases during his career. But the statistics don't stop there. He also averaged nearly a hit per game (3,055 hits in 3,081 games), including 297 home runs. He was the most prolific power-hitting lead off man ever, with a record 81 homers leading off a game. He drove in 1,115 runs during his career while walking 2,190 times, the second-highest figure ever.
Need more proof? He was selected to 10 All-Star teams, was the American League's Most Valuable Player in 1990, and finished in the top 10 in MVP voting on five other occasions. He set the record for steals in a single-season with 130 in 1982 and led the AL in steals 12 times.
Team achievements? Henderson played for nine different teams: Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, California Angels, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. His skills were always in demand by teams looking to make the playoffs.
A key player on nearly every team he played for, Henderson was involved in six AL Championship Series and one NL Championship Series, played in three World Series, and helped the 1989 Athletics and 1993 Blue Jays to World Series titles.
Matt Williams, Mark Grace among other first ballot candidates in 2009
Joining Henderson for the first time on the Hall of Fame ballot are third baseman Matt Williams (San Francisco Giants, Cleveland Indians, Arizona Diamondbacks); first basemen Mark Grace (Chicago Cubs, Diamond Backs) and Mo Vaughn (Red Sox, Angels, Mets); outfielders Greg Vaughn (Milwaukee Brewers, Padres, Cincinnati Reds, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Colorado Rockies) and Ron Gant (Atlanta Braves, Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Angels, Rockies, Athletics, Padres); middle infielder Jay Bell (Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals, Diamondbacks, Mets); starting pitcher David Cone (Kansas City Royals, Mets, Blue Jays, Yankees, Red Sox); and relievers Jesse Orosco (Mets, Indians, Brewers, Baltimore Orioles, Cardinals, Dodgers, Padres, Yankees, Minnesota Twins) and Dan Plesac (Brewers, Cubs, Pirates, Blue Jays, Diamondbacks, Phillies).
None of the others figures to come close to election the first time around, though Williams, who hit 378 homers in 17 seasons and won four Gold Gloves, and Orosco, who holds the major-league record for pitching appearances with 1,252, have the best chance of eventually entering the Hall.
Jim Rice, Andre Dawson and Bert Blyleven also deserving
But though Henderson is the only first-ballot eligible who will join the Hall of Fame in 2009, he shouldn't enter alone. Outfielders Jim Rice and Andre Dawson and pitcher Bert Blyleven have received support from voters over the years but not enough to earn induction. All three deserve to go in this year.
Rice is in his final year on the ballot. If he isn't elected this year, his case will be turned over to the Veterans' Committee. Rice spent his entire 16-year career with the Boston Red Sox and was perhaps the most complete hitter of his generation. He had a career average of .298 with 382 homers and 1,451 RBI. He is one of only 30 players in history with more than 350 homers and a batting average above .290. Rice also was named to eight All-Star teams, won the AL MVP award in 1978, and finished in the top five in MVP voting on five other occasions.
Dawson spent 21 years in the majors, almost all with the Cubs. He slugged 438 homers (36th most in history) and had 1,591 RBI. He was named to eight All-Star teams, won eight Gold Glove awards, was the NL MVP in 1987, and finished in the top 10 in MVP voting three other times.
Blyleven pitched for 22 seasons in the majors, primarily with the Pirates, Twins and Angels, and his 3,701 strikeouts are the fifth highest total in history. He won 287 games, has a career earned-run average of 3.31, earned AL Cy Young Award votes in four different seasons, and helped the 1979 Pirates and the 1987 Twins to World Series titles.
