This week’s Monster Card is the “Man of Steal” himself, Rickey Henderson. Dom Provisiero should appreciate this choice.
1990 is not the year Rickey Henderson broke the all-time steals record (you could probably tell that from the APBA card). But one could make an argument that 1990 was one of his best all-around offensive years. That year, he had his highest career batting average (.325), slugging percentage (.577), and OBP (.439) all rolled into one season. He led the AL with 65 stolen bases and runs scored. On top of that he hit 28 homers and 31 doubles.
No wonder Dom P. loved him.
| Split | G | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | CS | BB | SO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 Totals | 136 | 594 | 489 | 119 | 159 | 33 | 3 | 28 | 61 | 65 | 10 | 97 | 60 | .325 | .439 | .577 |
APBA rewarded Henderson with a card that any team would love to have. The question is: where would you bat such a card? His card had power (1-5-5-6), speed (11-10, plus four 14*s), and also on base value ( a total of six 14s).
If all that weren’t enough, Henderson was rated as a (F) runner and a OF-3.
Like his attitude or personality or not, the man put out. One look at his total career stats will tell you that. His listing of Awards and Leaderboard appearances takes up three pages on my browser.
See other Monster Card Monday selections
Was never a big Rickey fan as a player but I like him alot more as I hear stories about his personality. Mitch Williams will tell you his greatest regret about game 6 in 1993 was going to a slide step cause Rickey was in first which caused him to lose speed on his pitches. Greatest Rickey story……. When talkin to John Olerud as Seattle teammates Rickey said to him ” I played with a guy in new York who also wore helmet in the field….”
MY MAN RICKEYYYYYYYY!!!
Yes, one of the best cards I ever had the HONOR of having on my team in all my APBA O.Z. LEAGUE playing days……
I would bat him third, yes I would!
Rickey was wacky, he most certainly was but when he was on…..it was simply amazing.
DOM IN NY
Depends on who else you’ve got on your team. If there’s another high-OBP leadoff hitter on the club, I’d consider batting this card second.
Obviously, the choice then would be between home runs on 11/33/66 with a runner on first or taking a shot at H&R with the two 31s.