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BP Annual Player Comments

Year		Comment
2004		One of the biggest complaints of fans in the post-free agent era is that with all the big money floating around, athletes don't play for the love of the game anymore. Rickey Henderson is proof that that's a lie. Despite being one of the greatest outfielders of the 20th century, Henderson spent half a season with the Newark Bears of the Independent League, riding on buses and playing for peanuts, all for the shot at being picked up by one of the big clubs. At 45(!), Henderson doesn't have a whole lot to give anymore, so it's possible that we've seen his last hurrah. If that's the case, let us just say that we'll miss you, Rickey-and we'll see you in Cooperstown in 2008.
2003		Even in the twilight of his career, Rickey Henderson remains a productive player. Despite the low batting average, his ability to draw walks and steal a base makes him an effective leadoff hitter. Unhappy with his playing time in Boston, he will not be returning.
2002		Henderson signed late in spring training after the team finally rid itself of Ruben Rivera. He played more than expected and reached several career milestones, to the delight of Padres fans. Henderson wants to keep playing; despite his on-base skills, he's not a great option for the Padres, who have extra outfielders hanging from the rafters. He'll have to go somewhere else to play.
2001		Having been released by the Mariners, Major League Baseball’s version of the Antique Road Show could be stopping in a town near you. Rickey Henderson has his sights set on breaking the career records for walks and runs scored as well as reaching 3,000 hits. Any team that signs him and plays him regularly probably has an anemic offense, so the impending 2002 work stoppage casts a long shadow over Henderson’s chances of scoring the 69 runs needed to overtake the Georgia Peach.
2000		A September fade that knocked 25 points off his EqA took some of the luster off of what was becoming a historic season for a 40-year-old. Still, the 10th-best EqR and fifth-best EqA ever for that age isn't too shabby. Don't expect him to hit .315 again, but he's still got the eye and the legs, and wants to set records for walks (41 to catch Ruth) and runs (62 behind Rose, 143 behind Cobb).
1998		For the third year in a row, Henderson got off to an poor start, batting just .158/.385/.246 and fighting a strained calf. He came off the disabled list on May 24th, and played like vintage Rickey until the trade on August 12th, at which time he was the third-best left fielder in the league. He was brutal as an Angel, but you can expect him to catch on somewhere and meet the above projection.
1997		The decision to acquire Vaughn and move Rickey out of left field and the leadoff spot showed complete and total ignorance of why the Padres were scoring any runs at all—guys at the top of the lineup on base, and why their offense wasn’t very good—a pitiful 5 through 8 while Gwynn and/or Joyner was hurt, 6 through 8 afterward. Bochy deserves a lot of credit for having the guts to start Henderson regularly, rotating out Vaughn, Finley and Gwynn as necessary. Henderson played in his most games since 1989, and even if his power really is gone he’s an asset to any team. I think the power will bounce back, and I expect him to be the second-best left fielder in the league in 1997.
1996		Rickey's at an interesting career point. He is no longer a devastating base stealer, but because of his other skills, is still a fantastic player. He is finally moving to a good hitter's park for him. If he stops stealing and focuses on the rest of his game, he can be the second-best left fielder in the league nehind Bonds. A .300/.420/.530 year is well within his grasp.

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