Longtime MLB Insider Facing Heat For 'Tone-Deaf' Message About Rickey Henderson
Last weekend, the MLB community learned that Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson passed away at the age of 65. To this day, he's baseball's all-time leader in stole bases.
Henderson played for nine different teams during his 25-year career, owning a .279 average with 1,406 stolen bases and 3,055 career hits. He earned All-Star honors 10 times and even won American League MVP in 1990. Of course, we can't forget the electrifying outfielder won World Series titles in 1989 and 1993.
On Christmas morning, MLB insider Bob Nightengale tried to honor Henderson by posting this message on social media: "Merry Christmas! Today would have been Rickey Henderson’s 66th Birthday!"
To the surprise of absolutely no one, Nightengale got crushed for his comment about Henderson. While his intentions may have been kind, the post just didn't seem right since the former Silver Slugger winner passed away just five days ago.
"Dawg why did you use an exclamation point on that last part," one fan said.
"What are we doing Bob," a second fan replied.
Another fan asked, "What made you think this was a good idea to post?"
"I bet you're fun at parties. Way to spread the Christmas Joy," a fourth fan commented.
OAKLAND, CA - JULY 13: Former player and Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson #24 of the Oakland Athletics looks on from the dugout prior to the start of a Major League Baseball game against the Chicago White Sox at Ring Central Coliseum on July 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. The Athletics won the game 13-2. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
If fans are looking for a classy statement about Henderson, they can simply revisit MLB commissioner Rob Manfred's comments from Dec. 21.
“For multiple generations of baseball fans, Rickey Henderson was the gold standard of base stealing and leadoff hitting,” Manfred said. “Rickey was one of the most accomplished and beloved Athletics of all-time. He also made an impact with many other Clubs during a quarter-century career like no other. He epitomized speed, power and entertainment in setting the tone at the top of the lineup. When we considered new rules for the game in recent years, we had the era of Rickey Henderson in mind.
"Rickey earned universal respect, admiration and awe from sports fans. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I send my deepest condolences to Rickey’s family, his friends and former teammates, A’s fans and baseball fans everywhere."
Our thoughts remain with the Henderson family at this time.
