How Rickey Henderson Just Keeps Going And Going And … - Brief Article

Ebony, August, 2001

San Diego Padres outfielder is assaulting the record books

AT 42 (43 on Christmas Day), Rickey Henderson's chiseled physique still can rival that of a 25-year-old. His thighs still appear to be taut enough to strike a match on them. But with the day-to-day wear and tear that has come during a pounding. Even so, like the Energizer Bunny, he just keeps going and going.

And as Rickey goes, so go the name changes in the record books. I April, at the beginning of his 23rd season, the San Diego Padres outfielder and the game's best base stealer in history, set the Major League mark with most career walks, surpassing New York Yankees legend Babe Ruth. Following his latest entry into the record books, Rickey's only disappointment was that his record-setting walk didn't contribute to a Padres victory. "If I'm getting on base [even if it's a walk] and scoring a lot of runs, then I'm helping my team win ball games," Henderson said after setting the walks record against the Philadelphia Phillies. "And that's the key to playing baseball, period, trying to score as many runs as you can."

With the base on balls (walks) record now in Henderson's possession, he has his sights set on other goals. Not only is he on the verge of becoming the next player to get 3,000 hits, but he also is closing in on Ty Cobb's record of 2,245 runs.

Observers marvel at Rickey's continuing assault on the record books at his age, describing his accomplishments with such words as "incredible," "unimaginable" and "hard to believe." Some say he has recaptured his youth. But the 10-time All-Star who has played in three World Series says he never lost his youth, and that his longevity is due primarily to a consistent routine and some good luck. "Age doesn't knock a player out of this game," he says. "What gets a player out is injuries. I've been fortunate because I'm healthy. I never stopped working out. I feel like I did when I was 25."

In an effort to continue to feel that way and to keep his 5-foot-10, 195-pound body in top condition, the oldest position player in the big leagues prepares himself the same way he did when he came to the majors. He says he does an accumulation of at least 150 sit-ups and 150 push-ups three to four times a week, in addition to going through a stretching routine every night before going to bed. Plus, he eats sensibly (a lot of fish and chicken), gets enough rest and understands his body well enough to know how far to push himself. "When you play this game long enough, you learn how to take care of yourself," he says. "It's called maturity."

Henderson has matured on the field and off since his stellar career began with the Oakland A's, the team with which he has made most of his achievements. He established himself as what many consider to be the best leadoff hirer in history, one who still has a knack for jump-starting his team, and along the way has set a record for home runs to lead off a game. But it has been on the base paths where he has been most successful with each of the seven teams with which he has played. He was with Oakland when he stole 130 bases to set the single-season stolen-base record in 1982, shattering Lou Brock's record of 118 that was set in 1974. He was still with Oakland when he surpassed Brock's all-time career stolen-base record in 1991.

With Henderson's history of accomplishments and an enthusiastic love for the game, ironically, he almost didn't get a chance to continue to enhance his Hall-of-Fame career. A free agent at the end of last season, he was passed over by every team except the Padres, a team that brought him back for his second tour of duty in San Diego. He's still stealing bases; still hitting home runs; and still doing whatever it takes to help his team win. The only question now is, When will his name be scribbled into the record books again?