Boston Sports Gal : Archived Weblog Entry - 07/21/2003: "Rickey's back in the Bigs"

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07/21/2003 Archived Entry: "Rickey's back in the Bigs"

Rickey Henderson signed for the remainder of the season with the L.A. Dodgers. And he's off to a hot start with two homers in four games. It seems like the fresh blood, Rickey and Burnitz from the Mets, is doing wonders for the previously dead bats of the Dodgers. Have to say, it seemed unfortunate that the Red Sox didn't sign Rickey for at least one more season. Well, maybe I'm in the minority here but I've especially thought about it when I notice how awful generally good players have been in the leadoff spot this season for the Red Sox. No doubt Henderson's a character (it drives me crazy when players refer to themselves in the 3rd person). But he can still play and with all that experience he can be a leader or at least a mentor in the club house. I don't know if the Rem Dog would give Rickey dirt dog status but I know I would.

Replies: 3 comments

I think Damon should be passed needing pressure taken off him. He is a professional, and a veteran (this is his 8th year as a regular). I don't know if he exceeded expectations .. in '99 and '00 he hit over .300 stole 36 (and 46) bases, hit 15-20 homers those seasons. I think what he did last year is what will do during his productive years. His OBP could be a lot higher though. maybe Rickey was a good influence on him. I like Rickey, but the team needed someone with speed that could also play different positions (Damian Jackson). Maybe we should go back to the days of Boggs, and put (.400 OBP)Mueller inthe lead off spot.

Posted by jim @ 07/29/2003 01:26 PM EST

I agree . . . at this point, any available money should go towards pitching. What I meant is that we shouldn't have let Rickey go in the first place. I think in part Damon isn't doing well because Rickey is gone. Having a veteran like Rickey leadoff took the pressure off Damon last season and he exceeded expectations. In a way, it gave a false impression that he should be in the leadoff spot this season. I suppose it's a mute point really since the offense has been so great this season. I just find the leadoff spot sort of puzzling since no player has done particularly well there this season. I guess I'm just a fan of Rickey. I even agreed with what I heard Bobby V say about him on Baseball Tonight shortly after the trade. The topic was why it took this long for someone to pick Rickey up and was it worth the risk to the Dodgers to give him a try. Bobby V said Rickey is a quirky character and some teams are afraid of him because they don't understand him. He said the only thing to know about Rickey is that he loves baseball. Plain and simple, he truly wants continue playing and still is physically able to make a difference on a team. Also there's the veteran mentor relationship that he brings to a clubhouse. . .

Posted by kathleen @ 07/28/2003 10:08 PM EST

whose spot would he take? I agree with someone that I heard this morning ... the offense is fine, any money put into the team should go to the pitching staff.

Posted by jim @ 07/28/2003 02:27 PM EST