On this date in 2000, the Mets released Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson. You might think a 41-year-old with a .219 average would have trouble finding work, but Rickey Henderson was no ordinary 41-year-old. The speedster signed with Seattle, where he stole 31 bases in 40 attempts. Remarkably, Henderson stole another 42 bases in 2001, his age 42 season. Here are some links from the NL East (though none of them can keep up with the Man of Steal)…
- It will be interesting to see how Carlos Beltran’s $18.5MM salary affects other teams’ interest in him midseason, as ESPN.com's Buster Olney explains. Few teams have $6MM kicking around for a two-month rental, and that’s how much will remain on Beltran’s contract at the end of July. Olney suggests the Mets could get a decent prospect for Beltran if he continues his hot hitting (the free agent to be had a three-homer game yesterday).
- Brian Broderick and Henry Rodriguez are on the Nationals' roster because demoting them to the minors would mean exposing them to waivers, according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. As a result, Broderick, a Rule 5 pick, and Rodriguez, who is out of options, stay in the organization, though they aren't called upon in crucial situations.
- Before yesterday's game, struggling Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez promised he'll have seven homers and a .290 batting average by May 30th, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post. Ramirez, 27, has two homers and a .217/.308/.302 line after homering last night.
just a quck estimation, wouldnt he have to hit something like .450 for the next couple weeks to raise his average 73 points? dont get me wrong, if anyone can go on that type of tear its probably him, but unlikely id say
I agree
He would need 59 hits in his next 150 AB’s which is like .390
not really out of the realm of possibility or reason to think a good player can remain hot for 30 games or so
Henderson had 25 stolen bases in 2001. He had 42 rbi’s. Loved watching him play for the Yanks in the 80s, they shouldn’t have traded him. For Luis Polonia!
Shut up Hanley, just play baseball.
Beltran would be a nice pickup for a club in the pennant race. He was a monster at the end of his last contract for Houston, in ’04 after they got him from KC. This is the one the Braves should consider as a rental.