By Phil Hecken
“If my uniform doesn’t get dirty, I haven’t done anything in the baseball game.” — Rickey Henderson.
If that quote by itself doesn’t sum up Rickey Henderson’s career, nothing does. This past week, Rickey Henderson, along with Jim Rice, was elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame, Class of ’09. Rickey & Jim Ed enter that hallowed Hall via two different paths — Henderson a first-ballot lock and Rice just making the cut after a 15 year wait. Rice will go in wearing a Red Sox cap, while Rickey…well, Rickey will probably go in as an Athletic.
You probably know Henderson’s raw numbers — they are among the best ever. When he “retired” (or should one say, “at the time of his last major league game” — did Rickey ever officially retire?) in 2003, the 10-time AL All-Star ranked among the sport’s top 100 all-time home run hitters and is widely regarded as the sport’s greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner, holding major league records for career stolen bases, runs scored, and leadoff home runs. But what is perhaps the strangest (unofficial) record Henderson likely holds will be the fact that he has worn more uniforms than any other Hall of Fame member.
Henderson’s first team, and the team for which he actually had four separate stints and played the longest, is the Oakland Athletics. In his first stint, Rickey wore number 35, rocking that uniform tight, as was the style of the time, with high stirrups. Unfortunately, in his second stint with the A’s, he succombed to the fake stirrup craze, which led to this look…not good. But his original uni and unique “catch me if you can” pose struck fear in the hearts of opposing pitchers. He could stretch a single into a triple at any time. His A’s uniform collection wouldn’t be complete without the famous green jersey of the A’s.
If you simply took Rickey’s numbers from his time on the A’s, he’d still be a Hall of Famer. But Rickey, amazingly, played for eight other teams. After his initial five years on the A’s (1979-84), Rickey played for the New York Yankees from 1985 through part of 1989, enjoying the East Coast cool of the 1980s. He returned to Oakland in 1989, winning his first World Series that year, and staying with the A’s through part of 1993. He became the “hired gun” then, being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays during the 1993 season, helping the Jays win their second World Series. It was also Henderson’s second, and last, World Series. Rickey went back to Oakland for this third stint with the A’s in 1994, and remained with them through the 1995 season, eventually signing with the San Diego Padres in the offseason.
Rickey Henderson then played for the Fathers for two seasons, continuing to amass amazing steal, walk and lead-off home run totals. In August of 1997, Rickey was traded to the Anaheim Angels, an uneventful trade, and he became a free agent at the end of the season. By 1998, rumors of Henderson’s retirement began, but he re-upped with the Oakland A’s for his fourth time. Far from being a man of retirement age, Rickey continue to put up huge numbers.
A free agent again in 1999, Henderson signed with the New York Mets. While his numbers with the Mets were solid, he started off on the wrong foot by requesting number 24, a number “sort of unofficially retired” for the Say Hey Kid (although Kelvin Torve was also issued 24, for a very brief time, prior to it being given to Henderson). And although Rickey helped lead the Mets to the 1999 Wild Card, his time days the Mets was numbered after he and an all time Mets favorite reportedly were in the clubhouse playing cards while the Mets were fighting back in their epic series against the Braves that ended the Mets season. Rickey stayed with the Mets for a short portion of 2000, but he was on borrowed time by that point. Rickey Henderson would not be done with the Mets, however, coming back after his “retirement” for coaching duties, allowing him to further pad his uniform wearing totals.
The Mets would release Henderson and he was signed by the Seattle Mariners during the 2000 season (that shot is of Rickey back with the M’s in 2006), where he went back to his original number 35. He finished the 2000 season with Seattle, but returned to the San Diego Padres in 2001, where he continued to smash major league records (that season, he broke Babe Ruth‘s record of 2,062 career walks, Ty Cobb‘s record of 2,246 career runs, and Zack Wheat‘s record of 2,328 career games in left field, and on the final day of the season collected his 3,000th career hit.)
Still not finished with major league baseball, Henderson would play for the Boston Red Sox in 2002. His final (?) season as a major leaguer was with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2003. Rickey would don number 25 in LA.
Although he never played another game of Major League Baseball, Rickey did wear more uniforms. He had stints with the Newark Bears, the San Diego Surf Dawgs and did a rehab stint with Portland Beavers in 2001. Will Rickey ever play in the majors again? Who knows, but he already wore this uniform once (and I was at that game)…maybe it will be his next MLB uni.
That’s gotta be a Hall of Fame record for most uniforms ever worn by one person, no? Truly, Rickey Henderson was the Man of Steal.
HOF bonus coverage: It seems that ESPN has already previewed Rickey’s HOF plaque. … Some players don’t always wear the cap you expect them to when they enter the Hall. Mental_Floss has just the quiz for you! Let’s see how YOU did (yours truly got 12/14).
Ah, the knit-in socks. Just so “all the rage” there for a while. A few years ago with the A’s Miquel Tjeda wore them with his pants way short and white med-cut shoes. Looked really weird. Dont’ have a photo, though, sorry.
—Ricko
Hmmm, Vida Blue and Rickey both wore 35 with A’s.
Not at the same time, of course.
link
—Ricko
Ha I one upped you on the quiz. 13/14 missed Rod Carew.
It’s interesting that every MLB team Henderson played for was on one of the coasts except for Toronto (well, unless you care to apply the term “third coast” for great lakes cities).
I have fond memories of heckling him from the picnic area of Comiskey Park at the 1983 ASG.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Big dilemma — as a reward, we’re letting my 5-year-old son watch “Star Wars” today but the question is: does he watch the 1977 version or the
butcheredenhanced special DVD re-release edition?I say original, wife says doctored-up version.
You don’t really get a good look at the A’s old-timey jersey on that SI cover from 1982, the one with the green piping on the front, but I always liked that one.
link
Also, here’s a tiny image of Rickey wearing an Oaks throwback uni – properly.
link
Whew! I’m exhausted after reading about Hendo’s career. I never realized he played for so many teams. However, I’ll always remember him as an Oakland A.
Weird dream I had last night: I was watching a football game and it was the Rams in their throwbacks. Here’s a question…has there ever been an NFL playoff game where both teams wore throwbacks?
JTH…watch the original.
Any photos of Rickey in a Jersey City A’s uniform?
this picture is why i think stirrups are dumb:
link
look at the inch and a half of air between the fabric and rickey’s leg. why not just use a colored sock if its gonna look like that? or, well, in the case of the picture a striped sock (as the sock underneath is yellow). granted vertically striped socks, imo, look bad anyway… just throw some horizontal stripes on that yellow sock and your golden (no pun intended lol). btw that a’s uni is pretty sweet. id like to see it done with smaller trim around the neck and sleeves and maybe brought in as a home alt. top it off with green socks with three thin horizontal yellow stripes toward the top… that would look good.
[quote comment=”310441″] Here’s a question…has there ever been an NFL playoff game where both teams wore throwbacks?[/quote]
The only one I can think of is link: 1/15/95.
cheechoo,
I got into Buffalo just before that lake effect storm hit…but it took about 1.5 hours to get to Fredonia. But I must say, even though I haven’t been here that long I love it.
My friends too us here for dinner last night:
link
…and it was amazing. I had the pot roast sandwich complimented with a cherry/chocolate stout brewed right at their brewery.
Any other places you recommend here in Fredonia?
To make this post uni related…how many times are the Cavs gonna wear some type of throwbacks? I guess it seems that they have been wearing them a lot, no? Is there a certain number of times NBA teams can wear throwbacks?
Holy Crap!
link
I’m a powder blue Royals fan. They look fine in the fitted Rickey Henderson era link, but in this age of baggy pants and baggy blouses, this looks terrible link. Except for the semi-unfortunate double knit waistband (some worked, link, others did not link), Henderson and Rice played when uniforms were just coming down from their pinnacle. (The late flannels were my favorites) link
[quote comment=”310446″]Holy Crap!
link
Yeah, but aren’t these cool? link
Perhaps this link will work of a double-knit waistband that worked: link
[quote comment=”310448″][quote comment=”310446″]Holy Crap!
link
Yeah, but aren’t these cool? link
I remember watching this team and wondering why the Strane brothers wore batting helmets in the field. Nettles and Boone on the team. Great NBC team.
Hey I have about 10 of the 1980 Topps Henderson rookie cards. Im guessing they just got a smidgen more valuable.
Awesome post, Phil. I loved Rickey (still do), he was like a cartoon character in the game. Incredible. And the sheer mass of his uniforms is hilarious.
One thing, though: The Mets link Rickey in 2000, and the Mariners signed him six days later.
On the “tight” link, Rickey’s sanitaries are white. Didn’t the A’s always have yellow? The sleeve stripes and pant piping are odd as well.
I’m not sure if that Niners/Boys throwback idea is completely accurate. I think that Boys’ uni was similar to a throwback, but really a new design.
I’m taking my cats to Kittyland Love Center. You should too.
Nice post, Phil.
I wonder if this will be the first time the Newark Bears and San Diego Surf Dawgs (which spelling of “Dawg” drives me nuts) will be on a HOF plaque?
Funny Ricky story for ya, as well…
A friend of mine was a PR intern while Ricky was helping the Mets (as a coach). One of the days he was there, the Mets front office was doing their fantasy football draft. Ricky got the 1st pick, stands up at the table and announces, in third person, “WITH THE FIRST PICK OF THIS HERE FANTASY FOOTBALL DRAFT, RICKY HENDERSON GON TAKE BRETT FAAAAAV. RICKY SITS DOWN NOW.”
Love it. Amongst our friends, the “Ricky gon take Brett Faaaav” quote is a classic.
Sidenote- Was anyone else watching the Knicks game last night when Clyde referred to Darius Sangaila as “THE WHITE SANGAILA”?!!?!?
Sangaila had just defended a pick and roll, with precision, and Clyde breaks this one out. I rewinded it a few times on the DVR with my old man in the room, to make sure, and there was NO DOUBT that’s what he called him. It was early/mid-4th quarter.
Imagine if, after a big homerun, the Phil’s announcer said, “And a blast from the black Howard!”….
[quote comment=”310452″]Awesome post, Phil. I loved Rickey (still do), he was like a cartoon character in the game. Incredible. And the sheer mass of his uniforms is hilarious.
One thing, though: The Mets link Rickey in 2000, and the Mariners signed him six days later.[/quote]
THANKS! fixed.
[quote comment=”310452″]Awesome post, Phil. I loved Rickey (still do), he was like a cartoon character in the game. Incredible. And the sheer mass of his uniforms is hilarious.
One thing, though: The Mets link Rickey in 2000, and the Mariners signed him six days later.[/quote]
Agreed. Terrific post. All this Rickey talk reminds me of the famous exchange between Rickey and Olerud when Olerud joined the M’s:
Rickey: So you wear a helmet in the field, huh? When I was with the Mets, we had a dude that did that.
Olerud: Yeah, that was me.
Re: the Olerud post. Never happened, though Rickey has other “Rickeyisms” that did that make this believable. My personal favorites are the time he was on a bus in spring training and someone told him the veterans with tenure got to sit up front and Rickey said indignantly, “Ten years? Rickey been in the bigs fifteen years.”
And, when asked why he hadn’t cashed a sizeable bonus check from the A’s he had framed on his wall, he said he was waiting for the interest rate to go up. Priceless.
[quote comment=”310437″]Hmmm, Vida Blue and Rickey both wore 35 with A’s.
Not at the same time, of course.
link
—Ricko[/quote]
link later changed his uni number to 14… oddly enough, none of those uni numbers are retired by the A’s (at least, not yet)!
Last season, #35 was worn by both link and link, #24 was donned by link, and #14 adorned the uni of the immortal link…
The A’s have link Reggie’s #9, Catfish Hunter’s #27, Rollie Fingers’ #34, and Dennis Eckersley’s #43.
Rickey wore #22 for the A’s … briefly.
link
If memory serves me correctly, it was his first game back with the A’s in 1989.
FYI, the “2000” links to a picture of the M’s in 2006 (Sexy and Beltre).
paul, could you write me at mcarpio2(at) yahoo dot com , i use public computers and it won’t let me use the link to yr address…i wanna know if i can be on a list to hear about any appearances, like the one i missed last night here in brklyn(fuck!). best, c.
[quote comment=”310440″]You don’t really get a good look at the A’s old-timey jersey on that SI cover from 1982, the one with the green piping on the front, but I always liked that one.
link
Also, here’s a tiny image of Rickey wearing an Oaks throwback uni – properly.
link
A couple old Oak unis. This ’46, I think…
link
And this ’47…
link
Differences in sleeves (not always consistent back then), stirrups, color scheme on “O”.
Both are ’48 Cards, so I suppose could be ’47 and ’48 unis, but more likely ’46 and ’47…or both ’47 for some reason. Or spring training shots or…(well, you get my drift).
—Ricko
12/14 on the HOF hats quiz… missed Fisk and Ryan.
Can’t remember if Rickey was contributed or not with finally letting Jose Reyes run like he was born to, as opposed to the injury-causing running the Mets tried to teach him, but if so thank God!
[quote comment=”310453″]On the “tight” link, Rickey’s sanitaries are white. Didn’t the A’s always have yellow? The sleeve stripes and pant piping are odd as well.
I’m not sure if that Niners/Boys throwback idea is completely accurate. I think that Boys’ uni was similar to a throwback, but really a new design.
I’m taking my cats to Kittyland Love Center. You should too.[/quote]
There were a couple season there in early 80′ where A’s wore white sanis. Had forest green shoes on the road, too.
Rickey at home in Forest.
link
Rickey on road in Forest.
link
Sleeves for both sets were white….
link
A’s wore white sleeves with last set of Kelly-Gold, too.
link
Even on pitchers, which I thought was against the rules (although the all-navy White Sox “jerseys out” unis had white sleeves, too)…and the A’s white sleeves in that set were only with the white jerseys..
link
—Ricko
stay in the right seat at a wisconsin game
link
[quote comment=”310460″]FYI, the “2000” links to a picture of the M’s in 2006 (Sexy and Beltre).[/quote]
dammit…i thought so…now fixed to reflect that factoid
thanks!
Ooops, my bad. Sleves with that oldball Forest set at home weren’t white after all. Was remembering they were “SO white” but that was cuz of white sanis and shoes, I guess.
Anyway, here’s the home set with the Forest sleeves (manager Steve Boros)…
link
And more Rickey, in last Kelly-Gold showing off his shoe deal…and giving us a good look at the first Mizunos with “M” that someone asked about a while ago…
link
One more Rickey, in the Mizunos we know now and, because evidently forest-gold gloves were hard to find, a snazzy set of kelly-gold ones.
link
(I know, they look lime, but in 1982 they’d have been kelly, that’s for sure.
—Ricko
[quote comment=”310467″]Ooops, my bad. Sleves with that oldball Forest set at home weren’t white after all. Was remembering they were “SO white” but that was cuz of white sanis and shoes, I guess.
Anyway, here’s the home set with the Forest sleeves (manager Steve Boros)…
link
And more Rickey, in last Kelly-Gold showing off his shoe deal…and giving us a good look at the first Mizunos with “M” that someone asked about a while ago…
link
One more Rickey, in the Mizunos we know now and, because evidently forest-gold gloves were hard to find, a snazzy set of kelly-gold ones.
link
(I know, they look lime, but in 1982 they’d have been kelly, that’s for sure.
—Ricko[/quote]
I remember Pete Rose wore that exact style. I also seem to remember a shoe around that period called ‘Munari.” Yes? No?
Awesome entry today. I never liked the pullover jerseys, in part because they were so tight and just looked bad.
Rickey, though, had the perfect body for those pullovers.
link
Somewhere there is a photo of him in the road jersey that read “Oakland” across the front . . .
link
. . . in which he was standing up straight, and fiddling with his batting gloves or something after having stolen a base. It is one of the coolest baseball photos of all team. He made that otherwise terrible pullover look like the perfect baseball uniform.
I should make it clear that the photo I reference in the preceding post was the gray road jersey that read “Oakland” across the front.
PS I always thought the all-white A’s look was great. Or as Rickey would say, “Rickey thinks Rickey looks great in Rickey’s white A’s uniform.”
[quote comment=”310469″]Awesome entry today. I never liked the pullover jerseys, in part because they were so tight and just looked bad.
Rickey, though, had the perfect body for those pullovers.
link
Somewhere there is a photo of him in the road jersey that read “Oakland” across the front . . .
link
. . . in which he was standing up straight, and fiddling with his batting gloves or something after having stolen a base. It is one of the coolest baseball photos of all team. He made that otherwise terrible pullover look like the perfect baseball uniform.[/quote]
I know this isn’t the photo you mean, but it does show “OAKLAND”. Also, I can’t imagine a baseball photo that could do a much better job of suggesting sheer speed.
link
Can’t figure if he looks more like human sprint car or a super hero. LOL
—Ricko
And now, a “Saturday Sports Oddity”.
Mickey Mantle punting.
From the direction he’s looking, he musta shanked it.
link
—Ricko
“If Ricky’s uniform doesn’t get dirty, Ricky hasn’t done anything in the baseball game.”
There, fixed it.
How awesome would a throwback game look between the Eagles and Cardinals?!? Soooooo much better than the mess that will be on the field Sunday. The real shame, is that both helmets (especially the Cards helmet) are pretty sweet.
link
[quote comment=”310475″]How awesome would a throwback game look between the Eagles and Cardinals?!? Soooooo much better than the mess that will be on the field Sunday. The real shame, is that both helmets (especially the Cards helmet) are pretty sweet.
link
Perhaps the current Cards unis are a disaster (they are) but, IMHO, the Eagles current unis are just as good, if not better, than those
[quote comment=”310473″]And now, a “Saturday Sports Oddity”.
Mickey Mantle punting.
From the direction he’s looking, he musta shanked it.
link
—Ricko[/quote]
Yes, but the Mick didn’t shank his against the Bears:
link
See 1985, week 4: link
[quote]Rickey will probably go in as an Athletic.[/quote]
He link.
Whats that attached to the ear flap on the high stirrups link?
Here is a little better look at Rickey’s A’s green:
link
[quote comment=”310477″][quote comment=”310473″]And now, a “Saturday Sports Oddity”.
Mickey Mantle punting.
From the direction he’s looking, he musta shanked it.
link
—Ricko[/quote]
Yes, but the Mick didn’t shank his against the Bears:
link
See 1985, week 4: link
Evidently punting not advised if you wear #7.
Mantle did shank that one IN Washington, though.
—Ricko
[quote comment=”310469″]
Somewhere there is a photo of him in the road jersey that read “Oakland” across the front . . .
link [/quote]
As often stated here, “Dressed” is not always gospel. I have yet to see a photo of a 1983 regular season Oakland A’s player wearing either of the two 1982 uniforms (home with the piping, road all gray). The closest is Ricko’s photo of Steve Boros, but even that looks like a promo type photo that was possibly taken when he was named manager, well before the 1983 sets were delivered.
[quote comment=”310479″]Whats that attached to the ear flap on the high stirrups link?[/quote]
are you talking about this one?
im not seeing anything, but my eyes aint what they used to be either
I was at the game that basically ended Rickey’s tenure with the Mets. He hit a long double off the LF wall — or it SHOULD have been a double, but it was barely a single, because he’d stood a home plate to admire what he thought would be a home run.
I was watching the flight of the ball, hoping it would go out. When it hit off the wall, I looked toward second base to see if Henderson would have to slide. When I saw him just starting to jog to first base, I went ballistic (aside from screaming my lungs out in frustration, I also threw piece of chicken I’d been eating). My then-girlfriend said she’d never seen me so angry.
After the game, Rickey gave one of his all-time greatest quotes: “I hit it out but it didn’t go out.”
He was released a few days later. The quote almost made it all worth it.
[quote comment=”310482″][quote comment=”310469″]
Somewhere there is a photo of him in the road jersey that read “Oakland” across the front . . .
link [/quote]
As often stated here, “Dressed” is not always gospel. I have yet to see a photo of a 1983 regular season Oakland A’s player wearing either of the two 1982 uniforms (home with the piping, road all gray). The closest is Ricko’s photo of Steve Boros, but even that looks like a promo type photo that was possibly taken when he was named manager, well before the 1983 sets were delivered.[/quote]
Scroll up to #29. I have a number of photos of that piping uni and the all-gray roads that obviously were taken in big league ballparks. And I saw them play the Twins at the Metrodome in the all-gray, complete with the forest green shoes and white sleeves.
—Ricko
—Ricko
[quote]–Ricko
–Ricko[/quote]
stop cloning around ;)
[quote comment=”310485″][quote comment=”310482″][quote comment=”310469″]
Somewhere there is a photo of him in the road jersey that read “Oakland” across the front . . .
link [/quote]
As often stated here, “Dressed” is not always gospel. I have yet to see a photo of a 1983 regular season Oakland A’s player wearing either of the two 1982 uniforms (home with the piping, road all gray). The closest is Ricko’s photo of Steve Boros, but even that looks like a promo type photo that was possibly taken when he was named manager, well before the 1983 sets were delivered.[/quote]
Scroll up to #29. I have a number of photos of that piping uni and the all-gray roads that obviously were taken in big league ballparks. And I saw them play the Twins at the Metrodome in the all-gray, complete with the forest green shoes and white sleeves.
—Ricko[/quote]
MY BAD, Larry. You’re right, they absolutely did NOT wear that ’82 set in ’83, except maybe in spring training. Twins almost always played A’s early in season back then (were still in same division) and remember thinking…Well, the white sanis and forest shoes sure didn’t last long.
—Ricko (the original, the other one is downstairs looking big forest green clone shoes)
Clones tend to read quickly and make mistakes.
(Last time I ever have him check UW while I’m out of the room, that’s for sure.)
[quote comment=”310485″][quote comment=”310482″][quote comment=”310469″]
Somewhere there is a photo of him in the road jersey that read “Oakland” across the front . . .
link [/quote]
As often stated here, “Dressed” is not always gospel. I have yet to see a photo of a 1983 regular season Oakland A’s player wearing either of the two 1982 uniforms (home with the piping, road all gray). The closest is Ricko’s photo of Steve Boros, but even that looks like a promo type photo that was possibly taken when he was named manager, well before the 1983 sets were delivered.[/quote]
Scroll up to #29. I have a number of photos of that piping uni and the all-gray roads that obviously were taken in big league ballparks. And I saw them play the Twins at the Metrodome in the all-gray, complete with the forest green shoes and white sleeves.
—Ricko
—Ricko[/quote]
My point wasn’t that they didn’t exist, it was they weren’t use in the ’83 regular season like Dressed claims. Since the Metrodome opened in ’82 could that be when you saw them?
[quote comment=”310487″][quote comment=”310485″][quote comment=”310482″][quote comment=”310469″]
Somewhere there is a photo of him in the road jersey that read “Oakland” across the front . . .
link [/quote]
As often stated here, “Dressed” is not always gospel. I have yet to see a photo of a 1983 regular season Oakland A’s player wearing either of the two 1982 uniforms (home with the piping, road all gray). The closest is Ricko’s photo of Steve Boros, but even that looks like a promo type photo that was possibly taken when he was named manager, well before the 1983 sets were delivered.[/quote]
Scroll up to #29. I have a number of photos of that piping uni and the all-gray roads that obviously were taken in big league ballparks. And I saw them play the Twins at the Metrodome in the all-gray, complete with the forest green shoes and white sleeves.
—Ricko[/quote]
MY BAD, Larry. You’re right, they absolutely did NOT wear that ’82 set in ’83, except maybe in spring training. Twins almost always played A’s early in season back then (were still in same division) and remember thinking…Well, the white sanis and forest shoes sure didn’t last long.
—Ricko (the original, the other one is downstairs looking big forest green clone shoes)[/quote]
Ha, ha. I really got to refresh the page more often!!! Disregard my last post!
[quote comment=”310484″]I was at the game that basically ended Rickey’s tenure with the Mets. He hit a long double off the LF wall — or it SHOULD have been a double, but it was barely a single, because he’d stood a home plate to admire what he thought would be a home run.
I was watching the flight of the ball, hoping it would go out. When it hit off the wall, I looked toward second base to see if Henderson would have to slide. When I saw him just starting to jog to first base, I went ballistic (aside from screaming my lungs out in frustration, I also threw piece of chicken I’d been eating). My then-girlfriend said she’d never seen me so angry.
After the game, Rickey gave one of his all-time greatest quotes: “I hit it out but it didn’t go out.”
He was released a few days later. The quote almost made it all worth it.[/quote]
Glad you mention this Phil, it dovetails nicely for a notion I had this week. I know there was some discussion with Rickey’s election of how could anyone NOT have put him on their ballot.
Now first of all, I (with a vote) would have, but we know there are those who “soapbox” the privilege. Right or wrong, it occurs and Rickey would perhaps qualify as a character case for some voters. Not for being nutty or surly. My question (and perhaps others) would be “Did Rickey give his best, every inning of every game?” Unless you watch a guy like BJ Upton, hard evidence of such a claim would be difficult.
However, does anyone find it strange that one of the fastest men ever to play the game, for the majority of his career in many of the larger ballparks in baseball, never managed more three triples in a season over the last 18 years of his career? Doubles? He’s got ‘em. Ranks in the top 50. Triples? He ranks 430. Of course, he was the best at turning a double into a triple, so what’s the diff, right?
Just sayin’ I get the notion that not everyone sees his career in the game the same way and voted accordingly.
The Rockies AA team, the Tulsa Drillers, have a stadium farewell logo (they’re moving into a new downtown ballpark in 2010):
link
[quote comment=”310489″][quote comment=”310485″][quote comment=”310482″][quote comment=”310469″]
Somewhere there is a photo of him in the road jersey that read “Oakland” across the front . . .
link [/quote]
As often stated here, “Dressed” is not always gospel. I have yet to see a photo of a 1983 regular season Oakland A’s player wearing either of the two 1982 uniforms (home with the piping, road all gray). The closest is Ricko’s photo of Steve Boros, but even that looks like a promo type photo that was possibly taken when he was named manager, well before the 1983 sets were delivered.[/quote]
Scroll up to #29. I have a number of photos of that piping uni and the all-gray roads that obviously were taken in big league ballparks. And I saw them play the Twins at the Metrodome in the all-gray, complete with the forest green shoes and white sleeves.
—Ricko
—Ricko[/quote]
My point wasn’t that they didn’t exist, it was they weren’t use in the ’83 regular season like Dressed claims. Since the Metrodome opened in ’82 could that be when you saw them?[/quote]
Speaking of which Rick, did the Twins play any games at the Metrodome BEFORE the regular season in ‘82, meaning exhibitions? I remember watching the Yanks play there on TV and thought it was before the end of May which was regular season.
Anyhow, my real question is when did the baggy go up? Again, IIRC, the fences were all pretty much the same height all the way around until they decided to put the hefty bag up.
Did I dream all this or did it happen?
[quote]Glad you mention this Phil[/quote]
actually, twas paul who said it, but i was even thinking of making that a part of the post (which was long enough as is)…how could you NOT vote for him?
had a whole diatribe ready to go…but left it at basically, just what rickey wore instead
[quote comment=”310493″][quote comment=”310489″][quote comment=”310485″][quote comment=”310482″][quote comment=”310469″]
Somewhere there is a photo of him in the road jersey that read “Oakland” across the front . . .
link [/quote]
As often stated here, “Dressed” is not always gospel. I have yet to see a photo of a 1983 regular season Oakland A’s player wearing either of the two 1982 uniforms (home with the piping, road all gray). The closest is Ricko’s photo of Steve Boros, but even that looks like a promo type photo that was possibly taken when he was named manager, well before the 1983 sets were delivered.[/quote]
Scroll up to #29. I have a number of photos of that piping uni and the all-gray roads that obviously were taken in big league ballparks. And I saw them play the Twins at the Metrodome in the all-gray, complete with the forest green shoes and white sleeves.
—Ricko
—Ricko[/quote]
My point wasn’t that they didn’t exist, it was they weren’t use in the ’83 regular season like Dressed claims. Since the Metrodome opened in ’82 could that be when you saw them?[/quote]
Speaking of which Rick, did the Twins play any games at the Metrodome BEFORE the regular season in ‘82, meaning exhibitions? I remember watching the Yanks play there on TV and thought it was before the end of May which was regular season.
Anyhow, my real question is when did the baggy go up? Again, IIRC, the fences were all pretty much the same height all the way around until they decided to put the hefty bag up.
Did I dream all this or did it happen?[/quote]
Not sure about Yankees. Know they played Reds. In fact, and here comes the Trivia….Know who got the first hit in the Metrodome? Pete Rose.
—Ricko
Pretty sure, but not completely sure, that Mantle got first hit in Astrodome.
About the baggy. Honestly not sure. I know there have never been any seats beyond right field.
All the home runs early were because was not air-conditioned. A baseball doesn’t sponge-up and die like a softball. Because its more dense it sorta rides the humidity like an eagle floating on the thermals. Or at least that’s what someone who I thought would know such things told me.
One of these days gonna dig out my videotape of first reagular season game at Dome (vs. Seattle). Twins in red hats, Hrbeck was thin. Will be fun.
—Ricko
[quote comment=”310487″][quote comment=”310485″][quote comment=”310482″][quote comment=”310469″]
Somewhere there is a photo of him in the road jersey that read “Oakland” across the front . . .
link [/quote]
As often stated here, “Dressed” is not always gospel. I have yet to see a photo of a 1983 regular season Oakland A’s player wearing either of the two 1982 uniforms (home with the piping, road all gray). The closest is Ricko’s photo of Steve Boros, but even that looks like a promo type photo that was possibly taken when he was named manager, well before the 1983 sets were delivered.[/quote]
Scroll up to #29. I have a number of photos of that piping uni and the all-gray roads that obviously were taken in big league ballparks. And I saw them play the Twins at the Metrodome in the all-gray, complete with the forest green shoes and white sleeves.
—Ricko[/quote]
MY BAD, Larry. You’re right, they absolutely did NOT wear that ’82 set in ’83, except maybe in spring training. Twins almost always played A’s early in season back then (were still in same division) and remember thinking…Well, the white sanis and forest shoes sure didn’t last long.
—Ricko (the original, the other one is downstairs looking big forest green clone shoes)[/quote]
I remember how disappointed I was when they went back to colored unis in 1983. I loved both of the 1982 sets and it was one the first blows (with the ’79 Red Sox) for the “retro” movement in baseball uniforms.
link
Boy, this hardly qualifies as an accurate database for this era. By my count, 1981-1984 are all incorrect in some fashion.
Always thought it looked like he just gave up on trying to figure out what the A’s wore when during those years. Just posted those templates as if to say, “Whatever they wore is in here somewhere.”
—Ricko
[quote comment=”310494″][quote]Glad you mention this Phil[/quote]
actually, twas paul who said it,… [/quote]
Oops, saw the colored box…. Anyhow, again I would have voted for him. But much has been made over the idea of “highest % of the vote” and somehow the importance of it. Given that, I’m kinda glad it worked out the way it did.
BTW, can anyone tell me why the voting statistics have to be public? This seems to fuel angst among many and really is the root of the “not on my first ballot syndrome”. Joe Superstar got more than 75% Bob Average didn’t, end of discussion.
[quote comment=”310500]BTW, can anyone tell me why the voting statistics have to be public? This seems to fuel angst among many and really is the root of the “not on my first ballot syndrome”. Joe Superstar got more than 75% Bob Average didn’t, end of discussion.[/quote]
Probably because baseball writers, as members of the media, are bound by the same code of openness as their brethern in the News department
Well I know Gaylord Perry wore eight uniforms, and he’s in the Hall. I remember a crazy jersey he wore with all the different logos on it.
Goose Gossage wore nine different uniforms. Are you including number of total switches from team to team or something?
I’ve never watched the East/West Shrine game (and I’m not really watching it now) but have the players always plastered everyone’s sticker all over their helmets? Can they just ask the manager for a bunch of extra helmet decals?
[quote comment=”310504″]I’ve never watched the East/West Shrine game (and I’m not really watching it now) but have the players always plastered everyone’s sticker all over their helmets? Can they just ask the manager for a bunch of extra helmet decals?[/quote]
Yeah, that’s pretty much standard operating procedure in college all-star games. Most schools give players their helmet after they finish their career. Collecting decals and sticking them on your helmet is a tradition that’s been around for years.
Rickey’s best uniform was the kelly green & Old Athletic Gold uniform – there is no better A’s uniform. Btw Jim Rice doesn’t belong in the Hall of Fame. Career milestones, where are they?
It’s “Hockey Day in Minnesota” and the St. Cloud State hockey team is wearing 1950’s era throwbacks for their game against Minnesota today.
link
Was that UCLA-Arizona St. game a thing of beauty or what?!? Both teams looked sharp, classic, all that.
[quote comment=”310502″]Well I know Gaylord Perry wore eight uniforms, and he’s in the Hall. I remember a crazy jersey he wore with all the different logos on it.[/quote]
Ta Da!!!
[quote comment=”310510″][quote comment=”310502″]Well I know Gaylord Perry wore eight uniforms, and he’s in the Hall. I remember a crazy jersey he wore with all the different logos on it.[/quote]
Ta Da!!![/quote]
AL smith (?) I believe, had a similar goale mask with a bunch of logos…like to see some pics o that, its been years
On the same kinda topic…. Evil Knievil and NYR Goaler Ron Low both had this awesome “bicentennial” #1 on their uni’s (mask and jacket respectively). What is the history behind this #1 logo? I’m 36 now, but as a kid I always associated it with auto racing? Any info?
heres the linkage
Evil
link
Low (Capitals not NYR)
link
Found this awesome patch on ebay! [img]http://www.vintagebb.com/ebay/patches/BLUES1.JPG[img]
[quote comment=”310511″][quote comment=”310510″][quote comment=”310502″]Well I know Gaylord Perry wore eight uniforms, and he’s in the Hall. I remember a crazy jersey he wore with all the different logos on it.[/quote]
Ta Da!!![/quote]
AL smith (?) I believe, had a similar goale mask with a bunch of logos…like to see some pics o that, its been years[/quote]
Its similar to this version but white , with more logos…and i believe only used in eith an ll-star game or charity game…ANYONE?
link
[quote comment=”310514″]Found this awesome patch on ebay! [img]http://www.vintagebb.com/ebay/patches/BLUES1.JPG[img][/quote]
Try that link again..i copied and pasted but it said Object not found
[quote comment=”310514″]Found this awesome patch on ebay! here[/quote]
fixed
HOF cap quiz: 13/14. Missed Wade Boggs
Michigan wearing 1987 throwbacks tonight vs. tOSU.
[quote comment=”310519″]Michigan wearing 1987 throwbacks tonight vs. tOSU.[/quote]
woops… 1989.
[quote comment=”310491″]My question (and perhaps others) would be “Did Rickey give his best, every inning of every game?” Unless you watch a guy like BJ Upton, hard evidence of such a claim would be difficult.[/quote]
BJ Upton: positive “urban” role model — link.
Wait. What?
[quote comment=”310520″][quote comment=”310519″]Michigan wearing 1987 throwbacks tonight vs. tOSU.[/quote]
woops… 1989.[/quote]
Not only are they 1989 throwbacks they’re rocking the road blues at home tonight.
Hey Phil… remember the post about guys in unis that they never actually wore?
We can dream that the Wilpons get their heads out of the sand, can’t we??
link
(I’m pretty sure, it’s a Delgado photo that was flipped, and photoshopped)
Evidently the rabbits foot he was wearing wasn’t lucky for the rabbit or Evel himself.
[quote comment=”310523″]Hey Phil… remember the post about guys in unis that they never actually wore?
We can dream that the Wilpons get their heads out of the sand, can’t we??
link
(I’m pretty sure, it’s a Delgado photo that was flipped, and photoshopped)[/quote]
so long as they don’t buy manny for three or four years, i’d be real happy with that
but the way things are going this year, from the rust to the patch…i’d say IF the wilpons sign manny…they’ll overpay…still, i wouldn’t mind manny hitting between d-wright and c-belt
[quote comment=”310492″]The Rockies AA team, the Tulsa Drillers, have a stadium farewell logo (they’re moving into a new downtown ballpark in 2010):
link
Wonder if the old-school uniforms the Drillers will break out will be interesting.
The Birmingham Barons also announced plans for the annual Rickwood Classic, which will feature the team turning back the clock to the ’80s.
These Evel Knievel posts have me feeling nostalgic for my old link.
That thing was every bit as awesome as it’s portrayed in link.
And Evel was link well after his daredevil days were over.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Greedo didn’t shoot.
LI Phil[quote comment=”310517″][quote comment=”310514″]Found this awesome patch on ebay! link[/quote]
fixed[/quote]
LI Phil
That whole collection is great, you can find all 17+ on the web. Some do a fantastic job depicting the teams knickname, others are kinda generic..I have a few, very cool.
I don’t even want to say what I got on the HOF quiz.
BUT, I got 100% correct on the wwf action figures quiz…
I’ll re-post tomorrow, but also here before I lose it…
For Matt Powers: link!
(Good old Air Force Ones on SI writer S.L. Price, right?)
13/14 on the HOF cap quiz. Damn Nolan Ryan! I should have known it was the Rangers cap, yet I ignored it.
My favorite Ricky Henderson “memory” is an article SI (?) did. It talked about how Ricky maintained a relationship with an Oakland A’s girl (maybe she was a special needs kid?). She and her family had season tickets in the outfield, so she was in close proximity to him.
I don’t remember the circumstances where they got to be friends, but I do remember the article stated how she was completely crushed when he was traded to Toronto. I seem to recall the article said that he paid for her to come up to Toronto to see him play and he kept up the relationship for years.
Even though I don’t remember the article much, it just gave me the impression that he was a very class act.
Who is the Mariner SS wearing #51 in link That’s not something you’re going to see often. Also, #24 hasn’t been worn in Seattle since link, and probably never will be again.