Anaheim Muscles Up By Trading For Henderson
With his usual flair, Rickey Henderson said goodbye to the San Diego Padres and slid headfirst into another pennant race.
Henderson, still a sparkplug at 38, was traded to the Anaheim Angels on Wednesday for three prospects.
The deal comes a day after Angels leadoff hitter Tony Phillips was charged with felony possession of cocaine and benched pending a meeting with baseball’s doctors. The Angels are one-half game behind Seattle in the A.L. West. Henderson helped San Diego win the N.L. West last year, but the Padres were 9-1/2 games behind San Francisco on Wednesday.
“I’m happy to be an Angel,” said Henderson, baseball’s career stolen-base “I’m the type of player who likes to be in this situation - with all the marbles on the table, can you rise to the occasion? I seem to be one of the guys who rises to the occasion.”
Angels general manager Bill Bavasi said the Phillips situation played a role in the trade.
Henderson attended a news conference wearing sunglasses, with his sport shirt halfway unbuttoned to reveal a medallion on a gold chain. He sounded choked up when he thanked San Diego fans, who warmed to his style of play.
“I enjoyed you very much, I think you touched me deep inside,” he said. “You cheered for me, you pulled for me, you stuck behind me. You made me feel like I was family, a part of you, and I just want to thank you.”
This is the third time that Henderson has been traded during a season, and the previous two times he went to the eventual World Series champion.
He was dealt from the New York Yankees back to the Oakland Athletics on June 20, 1989, and from Oakland to the Toronto Blue Jays on July 31, 1993.
Sox to salute Fox
Newly inducted Hall of Famer Nellie Fox will again be honored posthumously Saturday when the Chicago White Sox pay tribute to the second baseman.
Fox’s widow, Joanne, and the couple’s two daughters, Tracey and Bonnie, will be joined by broadcaster Jack Brickhouse and several former teammates for the ceremony, which is scheduled to take place before Chicago plays Seattle.
Stanley back with Yankees
Mike Stanley, who spent four seasons with the New York Yankees, was re-acquired by the club in a trade with the Boston Red Sox.
The Yankees, in need of some right-handed pop in their lineup with Cecil Fielder on the disabled list, brought back Stanley, who left the club following the 1995 season as a free agent.
Boston also sent over minor-league infielder Randy Brown for minor-league pitcher Tony Armas and a player to be named.
Brewers hire Franco
The Milwaukee Brewers signed veteran infielder and designated hitter Julio Franco to a contract for the rest of the season.
Franco was designated for assignment by the Cleveland Indians on Aug. 1 after the team acquired John Smiley and Jeff Juden.
O’s eye rare feat
The Baltimore Orioles are traveling in some fast company. They are trying to become only the third A.L. team ever to spend every day of a season in first place, and it appears they can succeed.
That was no lock four weeks ago, when the New York Yankees were closing fast and the Orioles were struggling to find some semblance of offensive continuity. But there is every reason to believe they will join the 1927 Yankees and the 1984 Detroit Tigers as the only clubs to go wire-to-wire.