Fourth Time’s A Charm For Henderson, Oakland A’S

Rickey Henderson, baseball’s career steals leader with 1,231, joined the Oakland Athletics for the fourth time Thursday after agreeing to a one-year deal with the team.

Henderson, who grew up in Oakland, has spent 12 of his 19 major-league seasons with the A’s.

Henderson’s agent, Jeff Borris, said the 39-year-old outfielder wanted to come home.

“It was the most important thing,” he said. “It’s no secret that Rickey has seen much of his success with the Oakland Athletics. He’s very excited to be returning to the team.”

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Last season, he played for Anaheim after being traded from San Diego on Aug. 21. He hit a combined .248 with both teams, stole 45 bases, drew 97 walks and scored 84 runs. For his career, Henderson has hit .286 with 252 homers and 921 RBIs.

Major League Baseball will consider making deceased Chicago White Sox outfielder “Shoeless” Joe Jackson eligible for election into the baseball Hall of Fame, Acting Commissioner Bud Selig said.

Jackson, whose .356 batting average is the third-highest in major league history, was one of eight Chicago White Sox players accused of fixing the 1919 World Series, won by the Cincinnati Reds.

Baseball spokesman Richard Levin said baseball received a 50-page legal document that is signed by Hall of Fame players Ted Williams and Bob Feller.

“We’ve received the documents and we’re going to take a long, hard look at it,” Selig said on a media conference call.

Right-hander Bobby Jones and the New York Mets agreed to a three-year, $13.35 million contract.

The San Francisco Giants signed Rey Sanchez to a one-year deal that guarantees the infielder $600,000.