Should the Oakland A's retire Rickey Henderson's number? Why?

Question

I think it is insane to give Henderson's #24 to an undeserving Dan Haren. It should have been retired for Henderson. Do you agree?

Answer 1

Having seen him play many many games including that faithful day he broke the record.. My answer is NO Haren should NOT get to wear his old number... and YES it should be retired, if you were LUCKY enough to live in the bay area at a time when the A s brought Rickey back there was an electricity in the air that ONLY rickey could bring back!!!!

Answer 2

Not all that surpised they gave the number to anyone. Some teams will not issue a number again, especially if they've meant a great deal to the franchise. Others will issue the number again and wait until an appropriate time to retire it.

Doesn't surprise me they're doing the latter way with Rickey. He did a lot of great things with the A's, and his HOF plaque should have him as an A.... but on the other hand, he kinda rubbed people the wrong way and isn't even associated with the franchise at the moment (was a spring instructor with the Mets the last year). Plus, he wasn't retired until this year... he played 2 years of Indy ball (in 04 & 05) trying to make a comeback. They'll retire it in good time. Haren will probably be the last to wear it.

Answer 3

Dan Haren is a really good pitcher so I won't get on his case. If the number is around anyone can use it. However I do think the A's should retire it for many reasons, and then Haren would not be your target. I think one reason is because Rickey played with many other teams and really pounded the A's in the playofffs when he was a Blue Jay. Also he still is around and has not fully retired yet. So in time I think they will retire old number 24

Answer 4

I agree and maybe it will take a few years but eventually I think that they will. He'll be eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2008 and after that they will probably pay him his due. Ryne Sandberg
He'll join Reggie Jackson, Catfish Hunter, Rollie Fingers, and Dennis Eckersley as players to have their number retired for the Oakland A's. It took Ryne Sandberg eight years after he retired to get his number retired and Rickey Henderson kind of retired a couple of years ago so it could and probably will still happen.

Answer 5

I absolutely agree with you but being from the Boston area I don't know what Oakland's rules are on that. Since in Boston you now have to play 10 years with the team, be in the hall of fame and retire with the team for the Red Sox to retire your number. The only reason Fisk got his number was because the team made up a front office position for him to be able to be back on the team as for Rickey I say they should but there may be some team rules against it.

Answer 6

Rickey played on 9 teams in 25 years it's really hard to hold Oakland accountable for having to retire his number.

Maybe at some point down the line they will honor him in their own way.

Answer 7

Henderson is one of the greatest players of all-time. He's the greatest leadoff hitter to ever play the game. He's was also one of the biggest a**holes. No matter what he said about not playing games at 100% if he didn't get more money (even after he signed a contract), I think he always played the game at his best. This whole thing about retiring numbers is getting out of hand, though...

Answer 8

Yes. He's a first ballot hall of famer, was exciting to watch and brought a dedication and love of the game that has been matched by few in basebal history. In an era of misfits and egos Henderson was a refreshing throwback to the old days where guys played for the love of the game.

Answer 9

He was with WAY too many teams to have his number (24) retired by the A's. He deserves an honor just not his number retired.

Answer 10

Yes they should retire his number because hes one of the greatest players that ever played the game of baseball.