There was never anyone like Rickey Henderson before, and probably never will be one like him after, either.
Hello, friends.
There are now three months and five days until Orioles Opening Day 2025. Two months from today marks the first scheduled exhibition game in the Grapefruit League schedule for the O’s.
The baseball world is in mourning today after yesterday’s announcement of the death of Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson. Even within the circle of Hall-worthy guys, it’s not every one where you can say they’re uniquely great among everyone who’s ever played MLB. Henderson’s career marks are almost unbelievable, a career OBP of .401, 1,406 stolen bases (the all-time leader, and he’s the same with 2,295 runs scored), 25 years in the league, an MVP, it goes on and on.
The active leader in stolen bases is Mets outfielder Starling Marte, who at 354 steals is more than a thousand behind Rickey. The active leader in runs scored is only barely within a thousand of Rickey, as LA’s Freddie Freeman sits at 1,298. No one is close and in the remainder of our lifetimes it is doubtful that anybody will get close.
Henderson was already a few years into his career by the time I was born and his status as a Hall of Famer was cemented before I even became aware of baseball. Even so, as a kid, there was something about him that was just cool beyond anything you could describe. This coolness has never faded, as every story that’s ever been told about him – you’ve surely heard the “Rickey’s gotta go” one a dozen times – only reinforces this feeling.
It’s a tough loss. Henderson is a year younger than either of my parents, who I don’t think of as old. But it’s old enough to have outlived a Hall of Famer. Life is a fragile thing. I hope you can appreciate your loved ones this holiday season.
Around the blogO’sphere
Orioles hire Scott Barringer as new head athletic trainer (Orioles.com)
There was a small bit of Orioles news yesterday, with the team announcing the hire of a new head athletic trainer for 2025, replacing Brian Ebel, whose contract was not renewed for next season.
How well will Tomoyuki Sugano transition to the majors? Comps who have come over from NPB (The Baltimore Banner)
If Sugano can follow in the mold of either Hiroki Kuroda or Hisashi Iwakuma, the Orioles will be in good shape next year.
Can Dean Kremer hit a higher gear in 2025? (Steve Melewski)
At least one projection system (ZiPS) is perpetually projecting a higher gear for Kremer. Maybe the 2025 season will be his year.
Birthdays and Orioles anniversaries
Today in 1999, the Orioles signed reliever Buddy Groom to a two-year contract. Though he stunk in the first of the two years of that deal, he ended up pitching the next five seasons for the O’s and was good in two of them.
There are a number of former Orioles who were born on this day. They are: 2019-22 infielder Richie Martin, 2011-18 pitcher Zack Britton, 2011 infielder Blake Davis, 2011 pitcher Chris Jakubauskas, 1993-94 outfielder Lonnie Smith, 1984 pitcher Tom Underwood, and 1968-79 catcher and longtime coach Elrod Hendricks.
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday to you! Your birthday buddies for today include: baseball Hall of Famer Connie Mack (1862), baseball Hall of Famer Steve Carlton (1944), actor Ralph Fiennes (1962), DJ Basshunter (1984), singer-songwriter Jordin Sparks (1989), and singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor (1993).
On this day in history…
In 1808, composer Ludwig von Beethoven conducted and performed in a concert in Vienna that saw him premiere both his Fifth and Sixth Symphonies, as well as his Fourth Piano Concerto.
In 1944, encircled American paratroopers at Bastogne, Belgium received an emissary from the Germans with a demand to surrender. The commanding general at the time, Anthony McAuliffe, famously sent back a one-word reply: “Nuts!”
In 1971, Doctors Without Borders was founded.
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And that’s the way it is in Birdland on December 22. Have a safe Sunday.