will Rickey Henderson make HOF on the first vote

[NewUserName]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=ArPzNGmGtok9YlF5aQpmJyoRvLYF?slug=ap-halloffameballot&prov=ap&type=lgns

 

Personally I think Henderson should be a slam dunk. However he was very unpopular early in his career. He was not very popular with sportswriters. Is there any chance he doesnt make it first ballot.

[rawaction]

He should make it first ballot every time. He might not in a good year because he wasn't well liked. He will this year, because he's the best on the smallest list in HOF history.

 

Mark Grace is eligible this year too for the first time!

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

I think he'll get in pretty easily on the first ballot. Like him or not, he's worthy of it.

[CubbieBum]

All time leader in runs, all time leader in steals (no one will ever come close to this one), a 10 time all-star, a gold glove winner, a silver slugger winner, a career OBP of over .400 and a lot of other things that's just what i remember off the top of my head. He is a runaway as the best leadoff hitter in league history followed closely by Soriano.

[ISUCubsFan]

Some people have asked me whether or not Rickey Henderson belonged in the Hall of Fame. I've replied "If you could somehow split him in two, you'd have two Hall of Famers."

 

I can't imagine someone holding all the records Rickey Henderson has could miss the first ballot. That said, I'm sure there will be writers who don't vote for him because he played in the steroid era/if Babe Ruth wasn't unanimous no one should be/he talked in the third person. I doubt more than 25% of the writers will use that reasoning though.

[DanzaSlap]

His induction speech will be incredible. It will be perhaps the only speech ever done entirely in the third person.

 

I hate him, but he's easily a Hall of Famer.

[sneakypower]

In the late 1980s, the Yankees sent Henderson a six-figure bonus check. After a few months passed, an internal audit revealed the check had not been cashed. Current Yankees GM Brian Cashman – then a low-level nobody with the organization – called Rickey and asked if there was a problem with the check. Henderson said, “I’m just waiting for the money market rates to go up.”

This wasn’t too long ago, I think it was the year he ended up playing with the Red Sox. Anyway, he called San Diego GM Kevin Towers and left the following message: “This is Rickey calling on behalf of Rickey. Rickey wants to play baseball.”

In the early 1980s, the Oakland A’s accounting department was freaking out. The books were off $1 million. After an investigation, it was determined Rickey was the reason why. The GM asked him about a $1 million bonus he had received and Rickey said instead of cashing it, he framed it and hung it on a wall at his house.

This one happened in Seattle. Rickey struck out and as the next batter was walking past him, he heard Henderson say, “Don’t worry, Rickey, you’re still the best.”

[NewUserName]

Henderson and Ripken had careers that lasted about the same time period. I think it is interesting that Henderson was probably a better player, but will probably not come close to getting as many votes as Ripken.

[Blizzau]

When I saw the title of this thread, I thought it was a joke. For Rickey not to make the HOF on his first shot would be a mockery of honoring baseball achievement. (Note: Rickey was my favorite player when growing up, so I may be somewhat biased).

 

I'm going to bank on those sports writers respecting everything that Rickey did for the game.

 

Assuming he does make it, does anyone know when his induction ceremony will be? I've never been to Cooperstown, and have always said that my first visit would occur when Rickey Henderson enters the Hall of Fame.

[NewUserName]

I am a huge Henderson fan also...this is not me trying to put down Rickey...I just know that he is not very popular as a person, which is obviously a standard to some voters

[NCCubFan]

Assuming he does make it, does anyone know when his induction ceremony will be?

It sticks in my mind it's usually around the end of July.

[OleMissCub]

Assuming he does make it, does anyone know when his induction ceremony will be?

It sticks in my mind it's usually around the end of July.

 

Yes, it is always hot as balls. The HOFers are always dripping with sweat.

[rocket]

he should make it easily. if he doesn't, then bud seriously needs to change the way people get elected into the hall.

[CubinNY]

In the late 1980s, the Yankees sent Henderson a six-figure bonus check. After a few months passed, an internal audit revealed the check had not been cashed. Current Yankees GM Brian Cashman – then a low-level nobody with the organization – called Rickey and asked if there was a problem with the check. Henderson said, “I’m just waiting for the money market rates to go up.”

This wasn’t too long ago, I think it was the year he ended up playing with the Red Sox. Anyway, he called San Diego GM Kevin Towers and left the following message: “This is Rickey calling on behalf of Rickey. Rickey wants to play baseball.”

In the early 1980s, the Oakland A’s accounting department was freaking out. The books were off $1 million. After an investigation, it was determined Rickey was the reason why. The GM asked him about a $1 million bonus he had received and Rickey said instead of cashing it, he framed it and hung it on a wall at his house.

This one happened in Seattle. Rickey struck out and as the next batter was walking past him, he heard Henderson say, “Don’t worry, Rickey, you’re still the best.”

He once told John Olerude that there use to be a teammate of his that wore a batting helmet in the field the same way Olerdue did. Olerude replied, "that was me Rickey".

[UMFan83]

I'm gonna laugh when Rickey Henderson uses his HOF induction speech to campaign for a non-roster invite for next year.

[Blizzau]

Assuming he does make it, does anyone know when his induction ceremony will be?

It sticks in my mind it's usually around the end of July.

 

Per the Hall of Fame web site:

 

2009: July 24-27, with Induction Ceremonies on Sunday, July 26

 

Also, here is the list of the first-time "competition" against Rickey: Jay Bell, David Cone, Ron Gant, Mark Grace, Rickey Henderson, Jesse Orosco, Dan Plesac, Greg Vaughn, Mo Vaughn, Matt Williams.

 

I'm crossing my fingers for an induction class of Henderson and Hawk. I might as well book my ticket now.

 

By the way, why did so many sportswriters apparently dislike Rickey? He seems like a complete weirdo, but is there more to their relationship that I don't know about?

[CubinNY]

All time leader in runs, all time leader in steals (no one will ever come close to this one), a 10 time all-star, a gold glove winner, a silver slugger winner, a career OBP of over .400 and a lot of other things that's just what i remember off the top of my head. He is a runaway as the best leadoff hitter in league history followed closely by Soriano.

Followed but not closely

[mcgoobs]

1999, age 40, Rickey Nelson Henley Henderson posted a line of .315/.423/.466, giving him an OPS of 127 in 526 PAs.

 

Awesome.

[Roast]

All time leader in runs, all time leader in steals (no one will ever come close to this one), a 10 time all-star, a gold glove winner, a silver slugger winner, a career OBP of over .400 and a lot of other things that's just what i remember off the top of my head. He is a runaway as the best leadoff hitter in league history followed closely by Soriano.

 

That is mind boggling.

 

 

Anyway, If he doesn't make it in, it's criminal. I also cannot wait for his induction speech. I kinda wish him and Ryno could have gone in the same year. Their speeches back to back would be hil-freaking-larious.

[Roast]

1999, age 40, Rickey Nelson Henley Henderson posted a line of .315/.423/.466, giving him an OPS of 127 in 526 PAs.

 

Awesome.

 

Oh my god. I didn't realize that.

[NCCubFan]

Also, here is the list of the first-time "competition" against Rickey: Jay Bell, David Cone, Ron Gant, Mark Grace, Rickey Henderson, Jesse Orosco, Dan Plesac, Greg Vaughn, Mo Vaughn, Matt Williams.

So Rickey is competing against himself. He doesn't stand a chance. :D

[TruffleShuffle]

He is a runaway as the best leadoff hitter in league history followed closely by Soriano.

 

please, please, please tell us that you were joking around here.

[Jehrico]

He is a runaway as the best leadoff hitter in league history followed closely by Soriano.

 

please, please, please tell us that you were joking around here.

Sarchasm.

 

Funny comparison though...if Soriano had a little more discipline at the plate, his ceiling probably is near what Rickey's career looked like. Leadoff hitter with good power and speed. He wouldn't rack up the SB numbers because no one plays the game that way anymore, but if he walked enough to maintain a .400 OBP, he'd be a pretty similar player. That, and quit doing the stupid hop every time he catches a ball.

 

Back to the original question, if Henderson isn't a 1st ballot HOFer but Ozzie Smith was, then the HOF is a complete sham.

[Jehrico]

Some people have asked me whether or not Rickey Henderson belonged in the Hall of Fame. I've replied "If you could somehow split him in two, you'd have two Hall of Famers."

 

I can't imagine someone holding all the records Rickey Henderson has could miss the first ballot. That said, I'm sure there will be writers who don't vote for him because he played in the steroid era/if Babe Ruth wasn't unanimous no one should be/he talked in the third person. I doubt more than 25% of the writers will use that reasoning though.

I'm surprised that he was hated by sports writers. Guys that are as wierd and quirky as he was make the writers jobs easy.

[Clem Fandango]

He is a runaway as the best leadoff hitter in league history followed closely by Soriano.

 

please, please, please tell us that you were joking around here.

Sarchasm.

 

Funny comparison though...if Soriano had a little more discipline at the plate, his ceiling probably is near what Rickey's career looked like. Leadoff hitter with good power and speed. He wouldn't rack up the SB numbers because no one plays the game that way anymore, but if he walked enough to maintain a .400 OBP, he'd be a pretty similar player. That, and quit doing the stupid hop every time he catches a ball.

 

Back to the original question, if Henderson isn't a 1st ballot HOFer but Ozzie Smith was, then the HOF is a complete sham.

 

The Wizard of Oz stole 580 bases. Hahrumph!