A buddy of mine and I went to the San Diego Surf Dawgs (Independent League) season opener last night. Leading off for the Surf Dawgs was none other than #24, Rickey Henderson, playing left field. He got on base 4 times, going 2-3 with 2 walks and of course, a stolen base.
Our seats were in the first row on the 1B side. He looked like he was having a lot of fun and everyone cheered very loudly every time he was at bat. His 3rd time on base, the crowd was cheering him on to steal and he waved to us with a big smile. It was hilarious. Then he took off for second, sliding head first into second base slightly to the right to avoid the tag. He got a big standing O.
Anyway, every time Rickey was on base, he waved to us and the crowd would go nuts. It's good to see that all he really cares about is playing ball and having a good time. Well worth the 10 bucks we spent and hopefully someone will pick him up.
Last edited by Yoda on Fri May 27, 2005 11:04 am, edited 2 times in total.
"Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that." ~George Carlin
Not everybody is applauding Ricky. He is much in the same position as Rice, except Jerry Rice has more pull in the sport he plays.
Yes, I was, uh... I was thinking about ordering the tape, the videotape... about the college girls and the... the wild... the wildness. They're going wild or something? Somebody told me... about going wild.
-Larry David
cordscords wrote:That must have been a treat. I expect to see him up in the bigs at some point and time this year.
BTW- Why is it that everybody is applauding Henderson, and everybody is telling Rice to retire?
I dont think everybody is applauding him. I think some people want him to hang it up so he can be eligible for the freakin HoF already. I dont know if he'll be in the bigs this year though, he played with an independent team last season as well and did fairly well and did not get any major league offers.
cordscords wrote:That must have been a treat. I expect to see him up in the bigs at some point and time this year.
BTW- Why is it that everybody is applauding Henderson, and everybody is telling Rice to retire?
Maybe I'm in the minority... I think it's awesome Ricky still wants to play the game at some level and is succeeding. He enjoys it, good for him. I still remember collecting his baseball cards when I was a very young lad.
And who's calling for Rice's retirement?? I admit it was a little sad that he faxed every team in football and asked for a spot on their team, but he was great for the Seahawks last year, he made some awesome plays. He can be good for the Broncos this year too. Probably better than Rod Smith at least. The man still has it, and if he's enjoying it, let him play.
cordscords wrote:That must have been a treat. I expect to see him up in the bigs at some point and time this year.
BTW- Why is it that everybody is applauding Henderson, and everybody is telling Rice to retire?
Maybe I'm in the minority... I think it's awesome Ricky still wants to play the game at some level and is succeeding. He enjoys it, good for him. I still remember collecting his baseball cards when I was a very young lad.
And who's calling for Rice's retirement?? I admit it was a little sad that he faxed every team in football and asked for a spot on their team, but he was great for the Seahawks last year, he made some awesome plays. He can be good for the Broncos this year too. Probably better than Rod Smith at least. The man still has it, and if he's enjoying it, let him play.
I applaud them both.
It was really fun watching him. He still has the good eye and speed. He smacked a double about 380 FT which I thought was out initially. He clearly can still play and I support him 100% for going out there, giving it all and having fun.
Not sure if he will sign with an MLB team but the Sox proved last year that a pinch runner can do wonders in a close game. I expect a lot of teams will remember that especially when rosters expand.
"Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that." ~George Carlin
Unless he's lost his unbelievable ability to read pitchers and his outrageously good eye at the plate I could still see him being a role player on a major league roster.
The guy can flat steal bases and do it without being at the speed he was in his youth. You don't steal as many bases as he's stolen with your legs alone - you do it with your mind.
He should retire when no team at any level is willing to have him on their team or he stops enjoying the game. Same for Jerry Rice. I have no problem with a superstar of one generation being a role player in another generation - if he's better than the last man on the roster he should be playing, whether he be 38, 44 or even however the hell old Julio Franco REALLY is (which he'll of course never divulge).
Speaking of guys still playing when they're really old...anyone think Wakefield could continue pitching into his 50's if he wanted to? He looks like he's sitting on a lawn chair while he's pitching...that can't put too much stress on his body.
cordscords wrote:That must have been a treat. I expect to see him up in the bigs at some point and time this year.
BTW- Why is it that everybody is applauding Henderson, and everybody is telling Rice to retire?
Maybe I'm in the minority... I think it's awesome Ricky still wants to play the game at some level and is succeeding. He enjoys it, good for him. I still remember collecting his baseball cards when I was a very young lad.
And who's calling for Rice's retirement?? I admit it was a little sad that he faxed every team in football and asked for a spot on their team, but he was great for the Seahawks last year, he made some awesome plays. He can be good for the Broncos this year too. Probably better than Rod Smith at least. The man still has it, and if he's enjoying it, let him play.
I applaud them both.
Here here!
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."
-Isaac Newton
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by Yoda » Fri May 27, 2005 10:52 am 
