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Oakland Athletics: Rickey Henderson Honored and Joins Organization

By Keaton Moore

Mar 15, 2016; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics special instructor Rickey Henderson talks with fans prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2016; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics special instructor Rickey Henderson talks with fans prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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On the same diamond he made history between the bases, the Oakland Athletics are naming their field after Rickey Henderson. This honorary gesture came just in time to usher in Henderson’s first season as the special assistant to President Dave Kaval.

In honor of everything he accomplished during his time in the green and gold, the Oakland Athletics announced their plans to name the playing surface at Oakland Coliseum after Rickey Henderson. While the Athletics take “Rickey Henderson Field” in 2017, the Man of Steal will be watching as the special assistant to the president, Dave Kaval.

“Rickey Henderson is the greatest Athletic of all time. It is fitting we honor and recognize his impact on our franchise by naming our playing field after him,” Kaval said (per MLB.com). “In addition to his current role on our baseball development staff, I am also excited he will be joining us in the front office to serve as a representative of Green and Gold baseball.”

From the 1980s to 1998, Henderson was an Oakland icon and is still one of the most well-known Athletics. As a young man, he spent 14 of his 25 seasons in the major leagues in the East Bay Area. Overall, he batted .288 and stole 867 of his all-time stolen bases as an Athletic. His unique personality and unwavering confidence married perfectly with the atmosphere of Oakland. Although he spent some time with several other teams, baseball remembers Henderson as an Athletic.

By the end of his career, Henderson put his name on a pair of major league records. He is atop the all-time steals list with 1,1406 and led the American League in stolen bases 12 times. Not to mention, he stole 130 bases in 1982 for the most in a single season. Similarly, he led the league in runs five times to total an all-time 2,295 career runs scored.

During his second stint in Oakland, Henderson played a major role in the Athletics’ 1989 World Series victory. The following year he became the 1990 MVP and played his 10th and final All-Star Game in 1991. Along with Jim Rice, Henderson received a Hall of Fame induction in 2009.

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“This is an incredible honor and I am humbled that the field I have so many incredible memories on is now named after me,” Henderson said (per MLB.com). “I love this organization and our fans and look forward to contributing to our success for many years to come.”

Prior to their Opening Day series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the Athletics will dedicate “Rickey Henderson Field.” On the same day begins the first season of his tenure as Kaval’s special assistant.

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