Rickey Henderson is a farging corksucker

[rkmsuf]

Henderson keeps ball, signs another for young fanESPN.com news services


SAN FRANCISCO -- For all of his accomplishments, you'd think snagging a foul ball in the stands would be small stuff for Rickey Henderson. Hardly the case.


"Everybody was asking me for the ball. I said, 'You're not getting this ball. I always wanted to get a foul ball. This one's going on a shelf at home."
-- Rickey Henderson
Henderson, who caught a foul ball on Monday at AT&T Park, where he was watching the Mets play the Giants, kept the ball instead of handing it to a young fan.

"Everybody was asking me for the ball," Henderson said Tuesday, according to the Star-Ledger of Newark. "I said, 'You're not getting this ball. I always wanted to get a foul ball. This one's going on a shelf at home."

The young fan didn't go home empty-handed, though, as Henderson signed another ball the fan already had.

Henderson joked that his catch in the stands shows he's still got the skills to play the game.

"Showing 'em I've still got good hands. The ball found me. I was so quick."

And if Henderson has his way, fans might soon be catching foul balls hit off the bat of the man himself.

Roger Clemens' big announcement this week has Henderson hoping some club might give him one more chance to make a major league comeback.

Otherwise, he will call it a career -- for good this time.

"Seeing Roger come back, all the seed that it plants is ask me to come back one time," Henderson said Tuesday in the Mets clubhouse before New York played the Giants.

"I'm going to look at it at the end of the year. I might come out with some crazy stuff, a press conference telling every club, 'Put me on the field with your best player and see if I come out of it.' If I can't do it, I'll call it quits at the end," he said.

On Sunday, the 44-year-old Clemens announced during the seventh inning of the Mariners-Yankees game that he would once again put on pinstripes and return to the Bronx to pitch this season.

"I see Roger can come back and play. I can come back and play," the 48-year-old Henderson said. "They say I've done too much. What'd he accomplish? ... The players they put on the field nowadays, they couldn't make it in my day. They'd get sent back to Triple-A."

Henderson played in the independent Golden Baseball League two years ago, trying to attract the attention of big league teams. He hasn't played in the majors since appearing in 30 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2003, his 25th year at baseball's highest level.

Henderson, a special instructor for the Mets this season, is the career leader in runs scored (2,295) and stolen bases (1,406) and is second behind Barry Bonds in walks with 2,190. He also has 3,055 career hits, 297 home runs, won the 1990 AL MVP award and made 10 All-Star games. He won an AL Gold Glove in 1981 as an outfielder with Oakland.

Henderson is four months younger than Mets infielder Julio Franco.

"Julio's out there. I know I can play with Julio," Henderson said. "You need to name a whole lot of players before you get to Julio. ... I just want a spring training invite. Most clubs said if I got an invite, I'd probably make their club, but [they] don't have a spot."

For now, Henderson is keeping busy and fit by maintaining the 455 acres he owns near California's Yosemite National Park. He hasn't hit the gym for a while, but he drives a tractor, rides horses and raises cows -- and insists he will win a trophy in competitive fishing one day.

"I'm an old country boy. I don't look like it," he said.

But if he landed a deal like Clemens' one-year contract for $28,000,022, Henderson said he could get himself back in baseball shape in a hurry. By June, no less.

Henderson also is a realist.

"I'm through, really. I'm probably through with it now," he said. "It's just one of those things. I thank the good Lord I played as long as I played and came out of it healthy. I took a lot of pounding."

Henderson said the "bitter" thing about it is that he didn't get to leave the sport on his own terms: finishing on the field.

If his playing career indeed is over, Henderson will stay involved in baseball and even pull on a uniform from time to time to help out. He enjoys coaching players in the fundamentals of leading off and baserunning.

"I always want to be around the game," he said. "That's something that's in my blood. Helping them have success feels just as good."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2865084&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines

[Young Drachma]

Whatever.

[Calis]

Dissapointed in his use of the first person there.

[spleen1015]

I don't see what he did wrong.

[molson]

Baseball needs more Rickey Hendersons. There's so much pressure for everyone in sports these days to act and talk exactly the same. Sports would be much more interesting if there were more Rickey Hendersons and Curt Schillings who reveal the world their quirks and imperfections, and let us feel like we kind of know them as people.

[gstelmack]

I don't see what he did wrong.

Ditto.

[molson]

I don't see what he did wrong.

I agree with that too - what's up with this social requirement to give a foul ball to a younger fan? When I was a kid, it would have been exciting to actually catch, or otherwise retrieve a foul ball, but if someone just handed it to me after they caught it, I would have just though they were some poser trying to look good in front of everyone.

[rkmsuf]

meh

farging iceholes

[Ksyrup]

I agree with that too - what's up with this social requirement to give a foul ball to a younger fan? When I was a kid, it would have been exciting to actually catch, or otherwise retrieve a foul ball, but if someone just handed it to me after they caught it, I would have just though they were some poser trying to look good in front of everyone.

I don't think it's so much the adult/kid angle as it is "former baseball player who probably has shit more baseballs than this kid will ever see in his life" angle.

[Ksyrup]

Baseball needs more Rickey Hendersons. There's so much pressure for everyone in sports these days to act and talk exactly the same. Sports would be much more interesting if there were more Rickey Hendersons and Curt Schillings who reveal the world their quirks and imperfections, and let us feel like we kind of know them as people.

The problem with that is, in the age we live, people are not only not rewarded for doing that, but they are unmercilessly criticized for it, and when it crosses the bounds that someone somewhere thinks is unacceptable, it could cost a guy his job.

The Rickey's and Charles Barkley's of the world are few and far between, because it's not worth the risk to be that way.

[Maple Leafs]

I don't see what he did wrong.
Seriously. You catch a foul ball, you get to keep it. When I was a kid I would have never gone begging for a foul ball that someone else caught, but somehow these days you're supposed to hand it over to the nearest kid. Screw that, if I ever catch one I'm keeping it.

[spleen1015]

Catching a foulball at a MLB baseball game is a big deal. I can see how this would be a big deal even to a MLB player who finally got to watch.

[rkmsuf]

Don't make me delete this thread. You bet your sweet ass I will!

Ponderous I tell you.

[Maple Leafs]

Baseball needs more Rickey Hendersons. There's so much pressure for everyone in sports these days to act and talk exactly the same. Sports would be much more interesting if there were more Rickey Hendersons and Curt Schillings who reveal the world their quirks and imperfections, and let us feel like we kind of know them as people.
Agreed on Henderson, but Schilling is actually the exact opposite -- he's completely manufactured, never says a word without carefully considering how it will impact his public image. He's a complete phony, but how can you blame him when anyone who shows any personality gets strung up for it.

[spleen1015]

Don't make me delete this thread. You bet your sweet ass I will!

Ponderous I tell you.

You won't do it.

[SackAttack]

Seriously. You catch a foul ball, you get to keep it. When I was a kid I would have never gone begging for a foul ball that someone else caught, but somehow these days you're supposed to hand it over to the nearest kid. Screw that, if I ever catch one I'm keeping it.

When I was two years old, foul ball was headed right to me at a Dodger game. Problem is, we were seated back near the overhang for the next deck up, and a guy leaned over and snagged the ball on its downward path.

I reacted about like most two year olds would, but I survived.

This kid will too.

[rkmsuf]

You won't do it.

Are you triple dog daring me? I'll delete this mutha so hard you'll lose posts from other threads.

[Ksyrup]

He has watched MLB games for almost 30 years and snagged as many foul and fair balls as 1 human could possibly want. This would be like an actor buying the last ticket to a sold-out showing of his movie.

[rkmsuf]

He has watched MLB games for almost 30 years and snagged as many foul and fair balls as 1 human could possibly want. This would be like an actor buying the last ticket to a sold-out showing of his movie.

and saying in your face to all the people waiting behind him

nobody gives a shit about the kid or people that missed out on the foul ball. it's that henderson is a complete moron.

[spleen1015]

He has watched MLB games for almost 30 years and snagged as many foul and fair balls as 1 human could possibly want. This would be like an actor buying the last ticket to a sold-out showing of his movie.

In the stands as a fan?

[spleen1015]

Are you triple dog daring me? I'll delete this mutha so hard you'll lose posts from other threads.

I quadruple dawg dare you.

[moriarty]

I'd rather have the baseball signed by a hall of famer than a foul ball anyday.

[Arles]

Eih - No big deal here. I guarantee that a signed Rickey ball is certainly worth more than the foul ball. Not to mention the fact that the kid didn't even catch the foul ball so I would think getting an auto from Rickey Henderson would be much more memorable than a getting "gifted" a foul ball from an adult.

I mean, it's not like Rickey ripped the ball out of the kids hands.

[molson]

Agreed on Henderson, but Schilling is actually the exact opposite -- he's completely manufactured, never says a word without carefully considering how it will impact his public image. He's a complete phony, but how can you blame him when anyone who shows any personality gets strung up for it.

I don't disagree on Schilling, but to me, the whole "Schilling character" is more interesting than 98% of professional athletes these days. Posting on fan message boards, possibly painting red paint on his sock for the sake of drama, badmouthing Barry Bonds, his Everquest nerdiness, etc. He's a jackass, but at least he's interesting.

[rkmsuf]

I quadruple dawg dare you.

oh shi


this thread is now on double secret probation and just one more slip up from you guys then no more thread.

[spleen1015]

oh shi


this thread is now on double secret probation and just one more slip up from you guys then no more thread.

You have no ma'bles!

[rkmsuf]

You have no ma'bles!

I don't want to deny pumpy a chance to weigh in on this. He's sensitive that way.

[Toddzilla]

I hope he signed the ball "Not Yours"

[Ksyrup]

I guess I'm missing the point here...I don't really care about the kid so much as the fact that a future HoFer, one who potentially could still play, would care enough about a foul ball to keep it from anyone else in the stands - regardless of age. Unless it's a matter of self-preservation, I can't imagine why he'd even make the effort to catch it. He's one of the privileged few who has no need for capturing a "piece" of the game as a spectator. He probably didn't even pay for his ticket to the game.

[molson]

I just picture him clutching the ball and muttering to himself over and over again, "No way man, this is Ricky's Ball, this is Ricky's Ball right here".

[Pumpy Tudors]

I don't want to deny pumpy a chance to weigh in on this. He's sensitive that way.
Whoa, how did I get involved?

[Ksyrup]

and saying in your face to all the people waiting behind him

nobody gives a shit about the kid or people that missed out on the foul ball. it's that henderson is a complete moron.

I'm going to go get my glasses and my shoes - so I have them - and you and I can walk out of this thread together, shaking our heads.

[molson]

I remember Doug Flutie catching a ball at a Red Sox game not too long ago. I'm pretty sure he didn't give it away either, the announcers kept showing him with it during the game. Where's the article about him?

[Axxon]

Eih - No big deal here. I guarantee that a signed Rickey ball is certainly worth more than the foul ball. Not to mention the fact that the kid didn't even catch the foul ball so I would think getting an auto from Rickey Henderson would be much more memorable than a getting "gifted" a foul ball from an adult.

I mean, it's not like Rickey ripped the ball out of the kids hands.

I'm 100% in agreement here. Of course, I've always been a Ricky Henderson fan so that would make it far cooler. Ricky didn't do anything wrong here and probably made the kids day.

[MikeVic]

Yeah, I'd much rather have a signed Henderson ball.

[Ksyrup]

In the stands as a fan?

He's not a fan! He's a freaking Hall of Famer!! The reason people make an effort to catch foul balls is because they'll never step foot on a real field and this is the closest they'll ever come. It's a tangible attachment to the game itself.

[rkmsuf]

I'm going to go get my glasses and my shoes - so I have them - and you and I can walk out of this thread together, shaking our heads.

let's go. I'm going to blow this f-er up. you too pumpy. clear out.

[MikeVic]

let's go. I'm going to blow this f-er up. you too pumpy. clear out.

What about me. :(

[Pumpy Tudors]

don't do it man, i got some shit invested in this thread

[rkmsuf]

What about me. :(

dur. you want a henderson ball. unless you start with some bashing pretty quick you are on your own.

[spleen1015]

He's not a fan! He's a freaking Hall of Famer!! The reason people make an effort to catch foul balls is because they'll never step foot on a real field and this is the closest they'll ever come. It's a tangible attachment to the game itself.

I look at it differently, I guess. To think the guy is supposed to give up the ball to a kid doesn't make any sense to me.

[cthomer5000]

I have no idea why this story would bother anyone. The basic story is that he autographed a ball for a young fan. That makes him an asshole?

[rkmsuf]

The act in and of itself isn't "wrong" per say. Taking the act in context with who he is and his profession and it strikes me as moronic.

The desire of this man to cherish a foul ball is so farcical I'm amazed at this thread.

[Izulde]

So he wanted to keep the ball. Big deal.

Catching a foul ball or fly ball as a player is a completely different experience than catching a foul ball as a spectator in the stands, so I can see where Rickey's coming from with that.

And come on, he signed a kid's ball. He didn't have to do that and I'd say that was a pretty classy move on his part.

So he wants to try again to play professional ball, realizes he probably won't make it, but hey wants to try anyway. More power to him.

My estimation of Rickey Henderson went up because of this article, not down.

[molson]

He's not a fan! He's a freaking Hall of Famer!! The reason people make an effort to catch foul balls is because they'll never step foot on a real field and this is the closest they'll ever come. It's a tangible attachment to the game itself.

Why can't Ricky look at it the same way from the other side? It must be weird for him so sit in the stands at a baseball game - it's probably a trip for him to catch and keep a ball, since it's the closest he'll come to being an ordinary fan.

So you'd do it differently. So what?

[Ksyrup]

I look at it differently, I guess. To think the guy is supposed to give up the ball to a kid doesn't make any sense to me.

No! I don't care who he gives it to! It's the fact that a MLB player would care whether he kept a foul ball. It's the fact that he acted like my 3-year old in claiming the ball was "his" when he has access to a pile of MLB baseballs at home. It has nothing to do with the relative value of the foul ball versus the signed ball, either - irrelevant. It's the simple fact that he caught the ball to begin with and felt compelled to keep it.

It's like going to a kid's birthday party that is short on cake. Instead of giving up the last piece of cake to one of the kids, I decide to eat the piece I was given. That's an asshole move. You know why? Because I'm in a position to drive to the store and buy myself an entire cake to eat if I want, whereas the kid's just not going to get a piece of cake.

[rkmsuf]

me and ksyrup with enjoy sanityland whilst all you suckas catch foul balls

[Ksyrup]

Why can't Ricky look at it the same way from the other side? It must be weird for him so sit in the stands at a baseball game - it's probably a trip for him to catch and keep a ball, since it's the closest he'll come to being an ordinary fan.

So you'd do it differently. So what?

And it must be weird for Bill Gates to see people so desperate that they'd spend their hard-earned money to play lotto. But it would be ridiculous, IMO, for him to play, notwithstanding "what a trip" it'd be if he actually won. There's nothing illegal about it, and he's perfectly able to do what he wants, but it is offensive to some that he would even consider it. Same with what Rickey did.

[cthomer5000]

me and ksyrup with enjoy sanityland whilst all you suckas catch foul balls

You're in crusade-land. The end result is the kid has a Rickey Henderson autograph he didn't have before going to the game, yet Rickey is somehow the bad guy. *shurg*

[Izulde]

No! I don't care who he gives it to! It's the fact that a MLB player would care whether he kept a foul ball. It's the fact that he acted like my 3-year old in claiming the ball was "his" when he has access to a pile of MLB baseballs at home. It has nothing to do with the relative value of the foul ball versus the signed ball, either - irrelevant. It's the simple fact that he caught the ball to begin with and felt compelled to keep it.

It's like going to a kid's birthday party that is short on cake. Instead of giving up the last piece of cake to one of the kids, I decide to eat the piece I was given. That's an asshole move. You know why? Because I'm in a position to drive to the store and buy myself an entire cake to eat if I want, whereas the kid's just not going to get a piece of cake.

There's no guarantee the kid would've gotten the last slice of cake to begin with as there's other people at the party for one, and for two, driving to the store and buying a cake to eat is not the same thing as eating a piece of birthday cake. Totally different experience, totally different feeling about it.

Furthermore, Henderson autographed a ball for the kid. That'd be like giving the kid a fantastic cake from one of the best bakers on the planet and I guarantee the kid would be a hell of a lot happier with that terrific cake rather than just the last piece of that one cake.

[molson]

And it must be weird for Bill Gates to see people so desperate that they'd spend their hard-earned money to play lotto. But it would be ridiculous, IMO, for him to play, notwithstanding "what a trip" it'd be if he actually won. There's nothing illegal about it, and he's perfectly able to do what he wants, but it is offensive to some that he would even consider it. Same with what Rickey did.

If you think it's odd, I get that. But calling Ricky (and Gates) "moronic" or "offensive" because they want to do something that you don't understand their reasons for is kind of ridiculous. It's exactly the mindset that pressures ahletes and other public figures to be as bland as possible.

[rkmsuf]

You're in crusade-land. The end result is the kid has a Rickey Henderson autograph he didn't have before going to the game, yet Rickey is somehow the bad guy. *shurg*

you are missing the point which is not the end result

mabye corksucker is strong here. moron would fit nicely. or loon.

[Ksyrup]

You're in crusade-land. The end result is the kid has a Rickey Henderson autograph he didn't have before going to the game, yet Rickey is somehow the bad guy. *shurg*

Irrelevant to the actual issue. I don't care what he did after the fact, it's that he did what he did at all. For all you know, Rickey signed the ball while mumbling, "Maybe this will shut the whiny fuck up. Rickey needs some Rickey Time."

[rkmsuf]

Maybe Ricky keeps all the ticket stubs and programs from these cherished games he gets to go to as a spectator. The third wing of the memorabilia section of his house is dedicated to these. It's next to all his broken bats.

[Ksyrup]

If you think it's odd, I get that. But calling Ricky (and Gates) "moronic" or "offensive" because they want to do something that you don't understand their reasons for is kind of ridiculous. It's exactly the mindset that pressures ahletes and other public figures to be as bland as possible.

I don't see what's so ridiculous about making an observation of someone's actions that I consider to be, really, just plain common sense and a matter of fairness, given that person's status.

[JediKooter]

Jedikooter thinks Rickey is gonna do what Rickeys gonna do.

[MikeVic]

dur. you want a henderson ball. unless you start with some bashing pretty quick you are on your own.

I rented Ken Griffey Jr. Baseball for the SNES one time (the one where you can rename players), and some maroon before me renamed the Blue Jay players to their current (at the time) roster. So batting leadoff, their LF, with a speed of 10/10 was... Carlos Delgado.

That's not Henderson bashing, but I still find it funny.

[Crapshoot]

I have no idea why this story would bother anyone. The basic story is that he autographed a ball for a young fan. That makes him an asshole?

I dunno- people have these ridiculous standards for athletes - they're supposed to be Ruth on the field, and Ghandi off it. I don't K's stance at all.

[Axxon]

The act in and of itself isn't "wrong" per say. Taking the act in context with who he is and his profession and it strikes me as moronic.

The desire of this man to cherish a foul ball is so farcical I'm amazed at this thread.

Right, since you're not allowed to be a fan of a sport you play. That sentiment is farcical and really, it's pretty obvious that Henderson is a fan since he's rich but kept playing minor league ball because he loves the sport so much. If I loved something that much and I fairly caught a foul ball I'd darned well want to keep it and giving a kid a hall of famer's autograph is going to be something the kid will remember far longer than some random foul ball he catches ( oops, didn't catch ).

[st.cronin]

Rickey Henderson is clearly a loon, but the problem here is the kid (or whoever) crying that something wasn't given to him... when something was given to him. I hope Rickey gets a job as a manager someday (I think he works spring training as a coach for some team).

[rkmsuf]

Rickey Henderson is clearly a loon, but the problem here is the kid (or whoever) crying that something wasn't given to him... when something was given to him. I hope Rickey gets a job as a manager someday (I think he works spring training as a coach for some team).

Where is it that anyone is crying about it? I'm sure the kid or whoever is thrilled to get an autograph. The loon part is the focus here. This is indicative of that. He and Carl Everett should start up baseball card business.

[Ksyrup]

Where is it that anyone is crying about it? I'm sure the kid or whoever is thrilled to get an autograph. The loon part is the focus here. This is indicative of that. He and Carl Everett should start up baseball card business.

Exactly! I was just about to point that out. Look at the article - not a single word of description about the kid or what happened on the play. My guess is the adults around Rickey were chiding him for not giving the ball to a kid who happened to be sitting near him, so he autographed the kid's ball. There's no indication the kid even wanted the ball, let alone cried about it.

[cthomer5000]

There's no indication the kid even wanted the ball, let alone cried about it.

So then why are we talking about this?

[rkmsuf]

sigh

[st.cronin]

So then why are we talking about this?

I guess because some people that weren't even there are crying that the kid wasn't given something... oh wait, he was given something.

I love Rickey Henderson. I think he's the most misunderstood guy ever.

[rkmsuf]

I bet nobody said one word and this all came right from henderson. I bet he was seen catching the ball and then at some point was approached by a reporter where henderson recounted what happened. He's the whole article. Nobody else is quoted as saying one word.

[rkmsuf]

I guess because some people that weren't even there are crying that the kid wasn't given something... oh wait, he was given something.

I love Rickey Henderson. I think he's the most misunderstood guy ever.

how can nobody grasp the point that was made over and over again

even if you don't agree with the point, just acknowledge you get it.

[Ksyrup]

I guess because some people that weren't even there are crying that the kid wasn't given something... oh wait, he was given something.

I love Rickey Henderson. I think he's the most misunderstood guy ever.

I don't know how many times I have to say that this has nothing to do with the kid. It is the mere fact that Henderson would want the ball and keep it, given his status as a major league player. That is it. You guys keep changing the focus back to "Rickey didn't give the kid a ball" or "But he gave him a valuable autograph." I don't care - irrelevant!

[Ksyrup]

how can nobody grasp the point that was made over and over again

even if you don't agree with the point, just acknowledge you get it.

When does the shuttle leave to take us back to Planet Earth? I don't want to get inadvertently left here on Planet Bizarro.

[MikeVic]

There's still something about catching one for yourself. I never have...

If you're a lawyer, you've used many pens before. But if a Hall of Fame lawyer threw his pen and you caught it, wouldn't you want to keep it instead of giving it to some kid?

[rkmsuf]

There's still something about catching one for yourself. I never have...

If you're a lawyer, you've used many pens before. But if a Hall of Fame lawyer threw his pen and you caught it, wouldn't you want to keep it instead of giving it to some kid?

wtf is a hall of fame lawyer. does he have 10/10 speed?

if you yourself are a hall of fame lawyer and catch some other hall of fame lawyer's pen you probably could care less about it. you have lots of nice pens.

[Ksyrup]

There's still something about catching one for yourself. I never have...

If you're a lawyer, you've used many pens before. But if a Hall of Fame lawyer threw his pen and you caught it, wouldn't you want to keep it instead of giving it to some kid?

That's really nonsensical and twists the facts, since I would have to be the HoFer to be equated with Rickey. In that case, I would be more like a normal "fan" of the lawyer (as absurd an analogy is this is). What you've just stated would be the equivalent of a minor league player catching a foul ball hit by a Rickey Henderson type of player, which of course would have a degree of significance attached to it. But that's not the case here.

If I was F. Lee Bailey and Roy Black tossed me his pen, I'd probably be so pissed at the insinuation that I'm a lesser attorney than him that I would sue him for intentional infliction of emotional distress.

[cthomer5000]

how can nobody grasp the point that was made over and over again

even if you don't agree with the point, just acknowledge you get it.

You have no point. I think we all accept the right of people to catch and keep foul balls at baseball games, it happens thousands of times each season.

So Rickey catches a foul ball, a kid gets an autograph from a hall of famer, and somehow Rickey is the villian. I just don't see it.

[st.cronin]

I don't know how many times I have to say that this has nothing to do with the kid. It is the mere fact that Henderson would want the ball and keep it, given his status as a major league player. That is it. You guys keep changing the focus back to "Rickey didn't give the kid a ball" or "But he gave him a valuable autograph." I don't care - irrelevant!

I'm sorry, I don't understand your point at all. Should he not even go to baseball games then?

[rkmsuf]

wtf

[MikeVic]

That's really nonsensical and twists the facts, since I would have to be the HoFer to be equated with Rickey. In that case, I would be more like a normal "fan" of the lawyer (as absurd an analogy is this is). What you've just stated would be the equivalent of a minor league player catching a foul ball hit by a Rickey Henderson type of player, which of course would have a degree of significance attached to it. But that's not the case here.

If I was F. Lee Bailey and Roy Black tossed me his pen, I'd probably be so pissed at the insinuation that I'm a lesser attorney than him that I would sue him for intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Yeah, you're right. My example is messed up.

But it sounds like this is the first ever foul ball that Henderson has caught as a fan. That is still special.

[Axxon]

Exactly! I was just about to point that out. Look at the article - not a single word of description about the kid or what happened on the play. My guess is the adults around Rickey were chiding him for not giving the ball to a kid who happened to be sitting near him, so he autographed the kid's ball. There's no indication the kid even wanted the ball, let alone cried about it.

Well, at least you can admit your censure is based on guesses not anything in the story. That makes it understandable that you'd feel the way you do based on your guesswork.

I'm guessing that the kid is actually an alien from the planet zoonar and that the zoonarians travelled across the universe solely to get a Ricky Henderson autograph so in my guess, it's a win/win all the way.

[MikeVic]

wtf is a hall of fame lawyer. does he have 10/10 speed?

if you yourself are a hall of fame lawyer and catch some other hall of fame lawyer's pen you probably could care less about it. you have lots of nice pens.

Yeah, my example isn't equivalent to what happened here.

I don't know, a hall of fame lawyer would be one that has a high win %? Or efficiency in winning cases? Hmm... now I have to think of criteria.

[Axxon]

how can nobody grasp the point that was made over and over again

even if you don't agree with the point, just acknowledge you get it.

Well, honestly if nobody grasps your point maybe, just maybe, it's time to reevaluate that point to make sure it's a valid one.

[st.cronin]

By the way I never caught a foul ball at a baseball game, but I did once catch a FAIR ball. It was a homerun hit by Brady Anderson in Fenway Park.

[JasonC23]

This is truly the most bizarre thread I've read on here in quite some time.

Keep it up, people!

[MikeVic]

Hey, the article says:

The young fan didn't go home empty-handed, though, as Henderson signed another ball the fan already had.

So the kid already caught another foul ball? Or maybe he was handed a foul ball earlier?

[Ksyrup]

You have no point. I think we all accept the right of people to catch and keep foul balls at baseball games, it happens thousands of times each season.

So Rickey catches a foul ball, a kid gets an autograph from a hall of famer, and somehow Rickey is the villian. I just don't see it.

Why do you keep bringing up the kid? WHY?

Look, if Rickey went to a game and it was "Escaped Felons Get In Free" Night at the game, and Rickey caught a foul ball at the game, turned to the crowd and like a normal HoF player would, said, "I just caught a foul ball. But seeing as though I'm Rickey Henderson and me keeping a foul ball would be like an eskimo hording ice, I don't really see the need for me to have this. Since I know it would bring more joy to one of you peon "fans," I'm going to give it away. Do we have any child killers in the crowd? We do? Great! Here, sir, is a foul ball. I hope you have great memories of today's game."

If he did that - it still wouldn't make a difference to the underlying point we're trying to make.

[Izulde]

I don't know how many times I have to say that this has nothing to do with the kid. It is the mere fact that Henderson would want the ball and keep it, given his status as a major league player. That is it. You guys keep changing the focus back to "Rickey didn't give the kid a ball" or "But he gave him a valuable autograph." I don't care - irrelevant!

Some of us keep pointing out that it's a matter of the experience of the thing and Rickey is perfectly reasonable to want to keep the memoir of that experience.

[rkmsuf]

Well, honestly if nobody grasps your point maybe, just maybe, it's time to reevaluate that point to make sure it's a valid one.

oh it's valid.

and the fact you are calling ksyrup a nobody is very insulting. he won't take that standing down.

[Axxon]

That's really nonsensical and twists the facts, since I would have to be the HoFer to be equated with Rickey. In that case, I would be more like a normal "fan" of the lawyer (as absurd an analogy is this is). What you've just stated would be the equivalent of a minor league player catching a foul ball hit by a Rickey Henderson type of player, which of course would have a degree of significance attached to it. But that's not the case here.

If I was F. Lee Bailey and Roy Black tossed me his pen, I'd probably be so pissed at the insinuation that I'm a lesser attorney than him that I would sue him for intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Well, since you get your panties in a bunch over the fact that a paying fan catches a ball, no one complains and then autographs another ball for another fan, I can see how you'd win the emotional distress thing in the hypothetical you present. ;)

[Axxon]

oh it's valid.

and the fact you are calling ksyrup a nobody is very insulting. he won't take that standing down.

No, I was merely quoting you. I called him an emotional mess in my last post but you didn't know that when you replied to this.

[Ksyrup]

Well, at least you can admit your censure is based on guesses not anything in the story. That makes it understandable that you'd feel the way you do based on your guesswork.

I'm guessing that the kid is actually an alien from the planet zoonar and that the zoonarians travelled across the universe solely to get a Ricky Henderson autograph so in my guess, it's a win/win all the way.

I'm going to say this as politely as I can in typing:

:) :) :) FUCK. THE. KID. :) :) :)

Seriously, just fuck him. Forget he exists. Pretend Rickey is the only person in the damn place and the ball is hit right to him. If his initial instinct isn't to say, "What the hell do I need ANOTHER one of these for?!" and tosses the ball over his shoulder without a thought, then I have an issue with someone, in his position, who would act that way.

[Ksyrup]

Well, since you get your panties in a bunch over the fact that a paying fan catches a ball, no one complains and then autographs another ball for another fan, I can see how you'd win the emotional distress thing in the hypothetical you present. ;)

How do you know he even paid (not that it makes a difference to my point)?

[rkmsuf]

FORGET HE IS A PAYING CUSTOMER!!!!

We will whittle this down.

[Izulde]

Seriously, just fuck him. Forget he exists. Pretend Rickey is the only person in the damn place and the ball is hit right to him. If his initial instinct isn't to say, "What the hell do I need ANOTHER one of these for?!" and tosses the ball over his shoulder without a thought, then I have an issue with someone, in his position, who would act that way.

At this point, I'm beginning to wonder how you can even call yourself a sports fan.

[rkmsuf]

At this point, I'm beginning to wonder how you can even call yourself a sports fan.

what in the hell are you talking about, sally

[Ksyrup]

Some of us keep pointing out that it's a matter of the experience of the thing and Rickey is perfectly reasonable to want to keep the memoir of that experience.

And I personally think that's hogwash - BUT, I accept that argument. At this point, afew people aren't even within a moonshot of getting to this point with me. They keep arguing about things that have no relevance to my point, and then tell me that's the point I'm trying to make. I'm no longer in this to argue FOR my point as being right, just for my point to be understood.

[Axxon]

I'm going to say this as politely as I can in typing:

:) :) :) FUCK. THE. KID. :) :) :)

Seriously, just fuck him. Forget he exists. Pretend Rickey is the only person in the damn place and the ball is hit right to him. If his initial instinct isn't to say, "What the hell do I need ANOTHER one of these for?!" and tosses the ball over his shoulder without a thought, then I have an issue with someone, in his position, who would act that way.

oops, misread. Post deleted pending a proper reply. Curse this work thing

[rkmsuf]

And I personally think that's hogwash - BUT, I accept that argument. At this point, afew people aren't even within a moonshot of getting to this point with me. They keep arguing about things that have no relevance to my point, and then tell me that's the point I'm trying to make. I'm no longer in this to argue FOR my point as being right, just for my point to be understood.

that was my goal a page ago. just partially get within range of what the issue is.

[Axxon]

How do you know he even paid (not that it makes a difference to my point)?

So, Ricky is so disrespected that he is given free access to the game but is made to sit in foul ball territory?

Someone paid for the ticket he used and if it was the ballclub then yeah, that was an insult and if it was someone else, my point still stands.

[Ksyrup]

that was my goal a page ago. just partially get within range of what the issue is.

Dude, seriously, I feel like Bob Newhart and I'm debating with Larry and Darryl, his other brother Darryl, and a bunch of their cousins named Darryl.

[st.cronin]

If it was Don Mattingly, the story would be about what a great guy he was for hanging out with the paying fans and giving out autographs.

Too bad for Rickey that he's black.

[rkmsuf]

Dude, seriously, I feel like Bob Newhart and I'm debating with Larry and Darryl, his other brother Darryl, and a bunch of their cousins named Darryl.

If there's a debate with darryl, his other brother darryl and their cousins is it really a debate?

Someone please unbox jbmagic to bring some sanity to this thread.

[Izulde]

what in the hell are you talking about, sally

It just seems to me that taking the stance that Rickey, because he's caught balls as a player and because he'd have access to a bunch of baseballs, he should just not care about the foul ball he caught as a fan is rather cold, unfeeling, and denies one of the principle values of sports.

Namely, the emotional experience that goes along with fandom.

Catching a foul ball as a fan, regardless of what level of baseball you've played at (if any), no matter whether you paid or not, is an experience that makes the catcher feel great that hey, they got the ball.

The ball then becomes not just any ball, but a signifier of that elated emotional state and a symbol of the memory of that happy moment.

Emotions, both positive and negative, and the memories associated with those emotions, are the foundation of sports fandom.

[Axxon]

And I personally think that's hogwash - BUT, I accept that argument. At this point, afew people aren't even within a moonshot of getting to this point with me. They keep arguing about things that have no relevance to my point, and then tell me that's the point I'm trying to make. I'm no longer in this to argue FOR my point as being right, just for my point to be understood.

But it's so out there that people can't understand it. Basically you're saying you can't appreciate and admire other people who do a job that you, yourself do. You can't be a player and a fan of the sport; the two roles are mutually exclusive as I understand your argument.

If you don't react with disdain and toss a ball over your shoulder dismissively ( and insulting the player who hit it in the process ala homers throwing back home run balls by the opponents ) then you're a loon.

Can't see any way I'm going to see this as a valid point.

[rkmsuf]

It just seems to me that taking the stance that Rickey, because he's caught balls as a player and because he'd have access to a bunch of baseballs, he should just not care about the foul ball he caught as a fan is rather cold, unfeeling, and denies one of the principle values of sports.

Namely, the emotional experience that goes along with fandom.

Catching a foul ball as a fan, regardless of what level of baseball you've played at (if any), no matter whether you paid or not, is an experience that makes the catcher feel great that hey, they got the ball.

The ball then becomes not just any ball, but a signifier of that elated emotional state and a symbol of the memory of that happy moment.

Emotions, both positive and negative, and the memories associated with those emotions, are the foundation of sports fandom.

I can accept your premise but personally it feels quite silly to me yet I am a sports fan.

See, I grasp you point. Yay me!

[Ksyrup]

So, Ricky is so disrespected that he is given free access to the game but is made to sit in foul ball territory?

Someone paid for the ticket he used and if it was the ballclub then yeah, that was an insult and if it was someone else, my point still stands.

Nothing to do with the issue. This has nothing to do with his right to catch and keep a foul ball. I've already said that 12 pages ago. This is about who he is and the relative "need" of a MLB player to keep a foul ball when there are thousands of people who will never even sniff the grass he's had the privilege to play on for 30 years sitting all around him. I'm sure the experience of being a spectator is unique to him, but given who he is, I would think he wouldn't absolutely need to keep a foul ball that happened his way. Just my opinion. Between the haves and have-nots, I'm just suggesting that common sense dictates that the rich not make himself richer when it would be a nice gesture to give the ball to someone who can't just walk into a clubhouse any time he feels like it.

If you can't grasp that point, I don't know what to say.

[MikeVic]

Nothing to do with the issue. This has nothing to do with his right to catch and keep a foul ball. I've already said that 12 pages ago. This is about who he is and the relative "need" of a MLB player to keep a foul ball when there are thousands of people who will never even sniff the grass he's had the privilege to play on for 30 years sitting all around him. I'm sure the experience of being a spectator is unique to him, but given who he is, I would think he wouldn't absolutely need to keep a foul ball that happened his way. Just my opinion. Between the haves and have-nots, I'm just suggesting that common sense dictates that the rich not make himself richer when it would be a nice gesture to give the ball to someone who can't just walk into a clubhouse any time he feels like it.

If you can't grasp that point, I don't know what to say.

Are you saying Rickey Henderson is old?

[st.cronin]

Nothing to do with the issue. This has nothing to do with his right to catch and keep a foul ball.

Since apparently the kid didn't complain about not being given the foul ball, of course it does. Under what circumstances WOULD it be ok for him to catch and keep a foul ball? If there were no kids around? If he was the only one in the section? If he was only one in the ballpark? This whole thing is absurd.

[cthomer5000]

I undestand your point. I also understand it's a jackass argument.

[Ksyrup]

But it's so out there that people can't understand it. Basically you're saying you can't appreciate and admire other people who do a job that you, yourself do. You can't be a player and a fan of the sport; the two roles are mutually exclusive as I understand your argument.

If you don't react with disdain and toss a ball over your shoulder dismissively ( and insulting the player who hit it in the process ala homers throwing back home run balls by the opponents ) then you're a loon.

Can't see any way I'm going to see this as a valid point.

Not my point. This isn't about player/fan being mutually exclusive. It's what the relative worth of that ball is to him versus those around him, given his life experiences. I simply don't buy the argument that this foul ball would be so special to him that he would feel the need to deprive someone who hasn't done what he's done in the game from having their "moment." I don't think it should mean that much to him - the physical aspect of it, the ball itself. The emotion, sure I am willing to grant that. But insisting that it be tied to that ball...nope.

[gstelmack]

I *hate* the fact that all you jerks out there get to pick up a copy of the game I worked on before I get my copy from work. Sure, I've been playing it for the last year, but I want my own real live copy sitting at home so I can play it with all the rest of you just as bad as I do, but I have to wait for it to get shipped here a month after it hits the store shelves before I can take it home to play.

So I know how Ricky feels. If one from his "pile of MLB balls at home" is worth the same as this foul ball, then why isn't him giving an autographed one even better? He's a baseball fan just like everyone else, and this was just as big a deal to him as it would be to everyone else. He didn't take it from anyone, he's probably thrown a bunch of balls into the stands for kids (or hit the fouls for them) in the past, and he handed the kid an autographed ball so he'd have a cool memory to take home.

I have no clue how this makes him a bad guy.

[rkmsuf]

Since apparently the kid didn't complain about not being given the foul ball, of course it does. Under what circumstances WOULD it be ok for him to catch and keep a foul ball? If there were no kids around? If he was the only one in the section? If he was only one in the ballpark? This whole thing is absurd.

there is no circumstance that it seems logical for him to be excited about a foul ball

[Ksyrup]

Are you saying Rickey Henderson is old?

Old enough that as former major leauge baseball player, clinging to a foul ball is childish. Yes.

[st.cronin]

Not my point. This isn't about player/fan being mutually exclusive. It's what the relative worth of that ball is to him versus those around him, given his life experiences. I simply don't buy the argument that this foul ball would be so special to him that he would feel the need to deprive someone who hasn't done what he's done in the game from having their "moment." I don't think it should mean that much to him - the physical aspect of it, the ball itself. The emotion, sure I am willing to grant that. But insisting that it be tied to that ball...nope.

I simply don't buy the argument that you, or anybody else, has any right to tell anybody else what they should or should not value.

[st.cronin]

there is no circumstance that it seems logical for him to be excited about a foul ball

Its not logical for ANYBODY to get excited about a foul ball.

[cthomer5000]

Old enough that as former major leauge baseball player, clinging to a foul ball is childish. Yes.

Why? Grown men catch foul balls at baseball games all the time and keep them, I don't see any of them being ripped in this thread.

[rkmsuf]

I simply don't buy the argument that you, or anybody else, has any right to tell anybody else what they should or should not value.

I have the right to make fun of him the same way he has a right to hoard foul balls.

[Ksyrup]

I *hate* the fact that all you jerks out there get to pick up a copy of the game I worked on before I get my copy from work. Sure, I've been playing it for the last year, but I want my own real live copy sitting at home so I can play it with all the rest of you just as bad as I do, but I have to wait for it to get shipped here a month after it hits the store shelves before I can take it home to play.

If you're Rickey, you can take an assload of them home with you every night. Your point?

And why do you guys insist on bringing up the kid or the autograph as if it is relevant in any way? I'm not Paula Abdul - I'm not going to get sidetracked because of some irrelevant sympathy play!

[rkmsuf]

Its not logical for ANYBODY to get excited about a foul ball.

that's pretty much true so I impune all of you foul ball lovers

[Ksyrup]

Why? Grown men catch foul balls at baseball games all the time and keep them, I don't see any of them being ripped in this thread.

And when they've played major league baseball for living, please post about them and I'll rip them.

[rkmsuf]

Why? Grown men catch foul balls at baseball games all the time and keep them, I don't see any of them being ripped in this thread.

give me some names and I'll rip them

[cthomer5000]

And why do you guys insist on bringing up the kid or the autograph as if it is relevant in any way?

Because it is. Let's imagine Rickey is the only person in his section and catches a foul ball. What should he do with it?

[Axxon]

Nothing to do with the issue. This has nothing to do with his right to catch and keep a foul ball. I've already said that 12 pages ago. This is about who he is and the relative "need" of a MLB player to keep a foul ball when there are thousands of people who will never even sniff the grass he's had the privilege to play on for 30 years sitting all around him. I'm sure the experience of being a spectator is unique to him, but given who he is, I would think he wouldn't absolutely need to keep a foul ball that happened his way. Just my opinion. Between the haves and have-nots, I'm just suggesting that common sense dictates that the rich not make himself richer when it would be a nice gesture to give the ball to someone who can't just walk into a clubhouse any time he feels like it.

If you can't grasp that point, I don't know what to say.

It'd be a nice gesture to buy everyone at the game a ferrari but it doesn't make him a loon because he didn't.

[Crapshoot]

I simply don't buy the argument that you, or anybody else, has any right to tell anybody else what they should or should not value.


"""".

[cthomer5000]

And when they've played major league baseball for living, please post about them and I'll rip them.

Rickey the player and Rickey the fan are different people. I don't see how you're not grasping this.

Your basic premise seems to make it silly that he would even attend a baseball game as a fan.

[digamma]

When I was two years old, foul ball was headed right to me at a Dodger game. Problem is, we were seated back near the overhang for the next deck up, and a guy leaned over and snagged the ball on its downward path.

I reacted about like most two year olds would, but I survived.

This kid will too.


When you were TWO? Really?

[rkmsuf]

Because it is. Let's imagine Rickey is the only person in his section and catches a foul ball. What should he do with it?


make love to it

[st.cronin]

I have the right to make fun of him the same way he has a right to hoard foul balls.

You need to focus on the positive.

Rickey was not: Chattering on his cellphone; taking pictures of himself with the ball on his cellphone; txting people about the awesome foulball he just caught; murdering his ex-wife and lover; injecting steroids in his butt.

Rickey Henderson is the best ballplayer I ever saw, baseball needs more like him and less like Clemens and Bonds.

[Ksyrup]

Because it is. Let's imagine Rickey is the only person in his section and catches a foul ball. What should he do with it?

Keep up with the thread. I've already run through that scenario. He could keep it, but I don't see why he wouldn't do anything other than toss it over his shoulder. Seems ridiculous that he'd want it, even absent anyone else in the crowd. But at least there'd be no one else who could benefit from it, so I wouldn't see a problem with him keeping it. I'd just question why he'd want it in the first place.

[cthomer5000]

http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2006/03/21/CRIO9Cxv.jpg

[Axxon]

Since apparently the kid didn't complain about not being given the foul ball, of course it does. Under what circumstances WOULD it be ok for him to catch and keep a foul ball? If there were no kids around? If he was the only one in the section? If he was only one in the ballpark? This whole thing is absurd.

He's already answered that and said none. There is no circumstance that keeping the ball is ok even if he's the only one at the game.

[rkmsuf]

Rickey the player and Rickey the fan are different people. I don't see how you're not grasping this.

Your basic premise seems to make it silly that he would even attend a baseball game as a fan.


Ricky the player and Ricky the fan are, the last time I checked, one person.

[cthomer5000]

there'd be no one else who could benefit from it, so I wouldn't see a problem with him keeping it. I'd just question why he'd want it in the first place.

Who the fuck are you to question why he'd want it? None of your business.

And you clearly establish here that the presence of other people (in this case, the kid) matter.

[Ksyrup]

Rickey the player and Rickey the fan are different people. I don't see how you're not grasping this.

Your basic premise seems to make it silly that he would even attend a baseball game as a fan.


Nope. Again, I've already addressed this. I've already stated that the issue is not that he can't be a fan, but that his emotional attachment to his role as fan would need to be manifested through the foul ball. Particularly when the people around him, by virtue of having NOT been a ball player their entire life, would attach far greater significance to having the ball than a ball player would.

It's common courtesy, being selfless, and understanding the circumstances you're in. If I had unfettered access to something, I would personally feel wrong for taking something that I know I can get whenever I wanted, at the expense of people I know it would mean more to. I guess that's the bottom line for me. This really isn't about baseball or Rickey Henderson or a kid, it's more of a universal respect issue. Maybe if I explain it that way...does that get through to anyone (irrespective of whether you agree with it)?

[gstelmack]

If you're Rickey, you can take an assload of them home with you every night. Your point?

My point is there is a HUGE difference between the copy I've been building and messing with at work, and the one in the nice shiny package with the manual and everything. Seriously. It's a huge rush to go see them sitting on store shelves, too. And I love picking up games from other developers or friends or whoever. I don't stop being a fan just because I code games all day long. Why does Ricky stop becoming a fan (with everything that goes with it) just because he's played the game? Sure, he's had experiences others haven't, but they've had or will have experiences he hasn't.

There is a HUGE difference between a foul ball he caught while in the stands, and the pile of them he's got sitting around somewhere else. Completely different experience. If he had 3 or 5 or 12 foul balls he'd caught at other times while in the stands watching and not playing, I'd agree with you. If this was his first one, then I see where it would be special to him.

Catching a ball while in the stands is such a big deal that Steve Bartman cost the Cubs a spot in the World Series to catch one.

[Axxon]

Not my point. This isn't about player/fan being mutually exclusive. It's what the relative worth of that ball is to him versus those around him, given his life experiences. I simply don't buy the argument that this foul ball would be so special to him that he would feel the need to deprive someone who hasn't done what he's done in the game from having their "moment." I don't think it should mean that much to him - the physical aspect of it, the ball itself. The emotion, sure I am willing to grant that. But insisting that it be tied to that ball...nope.

Deprive? Deprive?

How did you pick one kid out of an entire stadium and decide that HE was deprived since there is no evidence that he feels that way.

What if the entire stadium was full of major league hall of famers. What do you do then? Destroy the baseball in a huge pyre?

[Logan]

Honestly, fuck all of you who are trying to tell Rickey what types of things he could get excited about. Who the hell are you? Yes, it's different when you catch a foul ball in a real live game compared to the stockpile of balls you would have since you play the game.

If I'm a member of Shea Stadium's field maintenance crew, I'm on the field while the team is practicing and taking BP. Hell, maybe during some downtimes I'm allowed to go out there and shag some flies. This allows me direct contact with major league baseball players and their balls (quote that fucker). If the team says that all the busted up balls are free to be taken by whoever wants them, and as a result I have a bucket of Shea Stadium-used baseballs in my garage, HOW THE FUCK DOES THAT DIMINISH THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CATCHING A FOUL LINE DRIVE OFF THE BAT OF ALBERT PUJOLS IN ST LOUIS?

God I hate some of you (only in this thread...I <3 Ksyrup for his AI scoops).

[st.cronin]

My theory is that some people for some reason just hate Rickey Henderson. All the dickwads in sports, and people focus on Rickey? THAT is absurd.

[Ksyrup]

Who the fuck are you to question why he'd want it? None of your business.

And you clearly establish here that the presence of other people (in this case, the kid) matter.

I'm saying from a moral standpoint, the existence of others matters. I was trying to soften my stance so that maybe somebody would grasp the point. Otherwise, though, my point is the same, regardless of who is there - why would a ball player need to keep a foul ball?

[rkmsuf]

Deprive? Deprive?

How did you pick one kid out of an entire stadium and decide that HE was deprived since there is no evidence that he feels that way.

What if the entire stadium was full of major league hall of famers. What do you do then? Destroy the baseball in a huge pyre?

Throw it back obviously. Or ignore it. You think Hank Aaron is diving for a loose ball? How about like Jim Rice...he's going all out to fulfil his dream of catching a foul ball?

[st.cronin]

I'm saying from a moral standpoint, the existence of others matters. I was trying to soften my stance so that maybe somebody would grasp the point. Otherwise, though, my point is the same, regardless of who is there - why would a ball player need to keep a foul ball?

He doesn't NEED to. He wants to, and he has a right to.

[Ksyrup]

Deprive? Deprive?

How did you pick one kid out of an entire stadium and decide that HE was deprived since there is no evidence that he feels that way.

What if the entire stadium was full of major league hall of famers. What do you do then? Destroy the baseball in a huge pyre?

Ha! The act itself is a deprivation.

Man, you guys like to get worked up about nothing, don't you?

Where's Wade when I need him? :p

[gstelmack]

Otherwise, though, my point is the same, regardless of who is there - why would a ball player need to keep a foul ball?

And our point is:

why shouldn't he want to?

[rkmsuf]

Honestly, fuck all of you who are trying to tell Rickey what types of things he could get excited about. Who the hell are you? Yes, it's different when you catch a foul ball in a real live game compared to the stockpile of balls you would have since you play the game.

If I'm a member of Shea Stadium's field maintenance crew, I'm on the field while the team is practicing and taking BP. Hell, maybe during some downtimes I'm allowed to go out there and shag some flies. This allows me direct contact with major league baseball players and their balls (quote that fucker). If the team says that all the busted up balls are free to be taken by whoever wants them, and as a result I have a bucket of Shea Stadium-used baseballs in my garage, HOW THE FUCK DOES THAT DIMINISH THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CATCHING A FOUL LINE DRIVE OFF THE BAT OF ALBERT PUJOLS IN ST LOUIS?

God I hate some of you (only in this thread...I <3 Ksyrup for his AI scoops).

Yeah that's real significant. Big ups to you heros that achieve this AND and a hall of fame baseball career.

[MikeVic]

Catching a ball while in the stands is such a big deal that Steve Bartman cost the Cubs a spot in the World Series to catch one.

Winner.

[Ksyrup]

He doesn't NEED to. He wants to, and he has a right to.

Absolutely. I've already said as much. At least twice, if not more. The whole issue is why he would want to. I don't really care what he thinks about it, the fact that any major league player would want a foul ball strikes me as odd.

[rkmsuf]

He doesn't NEED to. He wants to, and he has a right to.

no shit and again the point is lost

[Ksyrup]

And what major league team did Steve Bartman play for again?

[cthomer5000]

my point is the same, regardless of who is there - why would a ball player need to keep a foul ball?

It's been repeated ad nauseum in this thread. Being a pro player has zero impact on his experience as a baseball FAN. They are completely different worlds of experience.

[rkmsuf]

And our point is:

why shouldn't he want to?

and therein lies that central point. if you aren't seeing the point of why he shouldn't that explains the 3 pages thus far.

[Logan]

Absolutely. I've already said as much. At least twice, if not more. The whole issue is why he would want to. I don't really care what he thinks about it, the fact that any major league player would want a foul ball strikes me as odd.

So, after a 47 year baseball career...we have finally established that Rickey Henderson is odd.

Now can we end this?

[Lathum]

Ksyrup- henderson has every right to keep the ball, stop trying to use the kid as an excuse to bash Rickey.

[gstelmack]

Man, you guys like to get worked up about nothing, don't you?

Pot, kettle, black.

But the whole thread has been fun anyway. I've got a boring compile, and there's nothing like a good ethics argument between two sets of people with obviously different values and perspectives to pass the time.

The whole fundamental argument revolves around whether or not you feel that Ricky having played a significant amount of Major League Baseball has to forego his rights and privileges as a fan because of it. You feel he does, we feel he doesn't. It's that simple.

My perspective is that as someone who gets to do something really cool that lots of other people wish they could, I am just as much (moreso?) a fan of games as anyone else is, and it doesn't stop me from thinking it's cool to meet other game developers or play their games or go to E3 or whatever. And I think Rickey thinks it's just as cool to catch a foul ball as any other fan.

[rkmsuf]

Ksyrup- henderson has every right to keep the ball, stop trying to use the kid as an excuse to bash Rickey.

that's the winning post

[st.cronin]

Absolutely. I've already said as much. At least twice, if not more. The whole issue is why he would want to. I don't really care what he thinks about it, the fact that any major league player would want a foul ball strikes me as odd.

It would be one thing if what he wanted was something that caused harm to others, or potentially caused harm. For example, if Rickey wanted to drive his car on the road at 120 mph.

It would be something else if what he wanted was something society has deemed morally questionable. For example, if Rickey wanted to stage dog fights.

But virtually everybody that goes to a baseball game wants to catch a foul ball.

[spleen1015]

that's the winning post

No ma'bles!

[gstelmack]

And what major league team did Steve Bartman play for again?

None. It does point out how big a deal catching a ball in the stands is, and therefore why it might be special even to someone who has caught plenty of them while standing on the field.

[Ksyrup]

Well guys, I'd love to continue the chat but I'm off to celebrate my daughter's birthday. And when we're at Gattitown tonight and play that horserace game where you squirt water into the little hole, I'm going to beat every single person there and keep the prize, not because I need to, but because I want to and have a right to. Because having that prize will remind me of my daughter's birthday in a way that is much more special than it would be to my daughter, her little friends, or anyone else playing the game.

[st.cronin]

I actually think its cool that Rickey would want to keep the ball. At least he's not driving around shooting pregnant women, or getting arrested for DUI.

[Ksyrup]

Pot, kettle, black.

I do this for a living. I get worked up with no emotional attachment. My wife hates it, absolutely hates it.

[spleen1015]

Well guys, I'd love to continue the chat but I'm off to celebrate my daughter's birthday. And when we're at Gattitown tonight and play that horserace game where you squirt water into the little hole, I'm going to beat every single person there and keep the prize, not because I need to, but because I want to and have a right to. Because having that prize will remind me of my daughter's birthday in a way that is much more special than it would be to my daughter, her little friends, or anyone else playing the game.

Farging corksucker!

[Lathum]

Well guys, I'd love to continue the chat but I'm off to celebrate my daughter's birthday. And when we're at Gattitown tonight and play that horserace game where you squirt water into the little hole, I'm going to beat every single person there and keep the prize, not because I need to, but because I want to and have a right to. Because having that prize will remind me of my daughter's birthday in a way that is much more special than it would be to my daughter, her little friends, or anyone else playing the game.

give 'em hell champ!!!!

[spleen1015]

I do this for a living. I get worked up with no emotional attachment. My wife hates it, absolutely hates it.

How do you get worked up without emotional attachment? The emotion is what makes me get worked up.

[gstelmack]

Well guys, I'd love to continue the chat but I'm off to celebrate my daughter's birthday. And when we're at Gattitown tonight and play that horserace game where you squirt water into the little hole, I'm going to beat every single person there and keep the prize, not because I need to, but because I want to and have a right to. Because having that prize will remind me of my daughter's birthday in a way that is much more special than it would be to my daughter, her little friends, or anyone else playing the game.

If Rickey was at the game with his daughter, I'd bet she'd be going home with the ball, just like you KNOW your daughter is going home with that toy no matter how hard you try and keep it from her, because no way are you saying no to your daughter.

(I know from experience, as that's how there are something like 200 stuffed animals crammed in our house...)

[Ksyrup]

that's the winning post

At least in his sarcasm he established that he understood the underlying point, even if he didn't agree.

[rkmsuf]

Pot, kettle, black.

But the whole thread has been fun anyway. I've got a boring compile, and there's nothing like a good ethics argument between two sets of people with obviously different values and perspectives to pass the time.

The whole fundamental argument revolves around whether or not you feel that Ricky having played a significant amount of Major League Baseball has to forego his rights and privileges as a fan because of it. You feel he does, we feel he doesn't. It's that simple.

My perspective is that as someone who gets to do something really cool that lots of other people wish they could, I am just as much (moreso?) a fan of games as anyone else is, and it doesn't stop me from thinking it's cool to meet other game developers or play their games or go to E3 or whatever. And I think Rickey thinks it's just as cool to catch a foul ball as any other fan.

I like the central premise but games come in many different flavors. a baseball is largely a baseball unless you get worked up about it being off a certain bat.

As a career baseball player it seems odd to me he would frame a routine foul ball and that the experience of catching the ball isn't enough...he needs to put the actual ball under glass.

To each his own. I think it's silly in the context of what he has accomplished during his career.

"Right" has nothing to do with it. He can and will do what he wants. Doesn't mean it doesn't sound silly to me.

[Ksyrup]

Farging corksucker!

Exactly!

[Ksyrup]

How do you get worked up without emotional attachment? The emotion is what makes me get worked up.

The money always helps, but in this case, entertainment is just as good.

[MikeVic]

Well guys, I'd love to continue the chat but I'm off to celebrate my daughter's birthday. And when we're at Gattitown tonight and play that horserace game where you squirt water into the little hole, I'm going to beat every single person there and keep the prize, not because I need to, but because I want to and have a right to. Because having that prize will remind me of my daughter's birthday in a way that is much more special than it would be to my daughter, her little friends, or anyone else playing the game.

Now you see our point! :D

[st.cronin]

I like the central premise but games come in many different flavors. a baseball is largely a baseball unless you get worked up about it being off a certain bat.

As a career baseball player it seems odd to me he would frame a routine foul ball and that the experience of catching the ball isn't enough...he needs to put the actual ball under glass.

To each his own. I think it's silly in the context of what he has accomplished during his career.

"Right" has nothing to do with it. He can and will do what he wants. Doesn't mean it doesn't sound silly to me.


I grant that Rickey is a very silly guy. To me that's a good thing.

[Lathum]

At least in his sarcasm he established that he understood the underlying point, even if he didn't agree.

I'm glad you took it for the sarcasim it was.

I honestly thing the whole thing is silly.

Bill Gates has more money that anyone will need in a lifetime, does that mean he should wipe his ass with hundred dollar bills?

[rkmsuf]

No ma'bles!

exactly!

[MikeVic]

Bill Gates has more money that anyone will need in a lifetime, does that mean he should wipe his ass with hundred dollar bills?

Oh, he does.

[Ksyrup]

If Rickey was at the game with his daughter, I'd bet she'd be going home with the ball, just like you KNOW your daughter is going home with that toy no matter how hard you try and keep it from her, because no way are you saying no to your daughter.

(I know from experience, as that's how there are something like 200 stuffed animals crammed in our house...)

See, that's my point. That's a legitimate reason for him to want to catch the foul ball. Because in that situation, it's the desire to make his kid happy that is driving him. When Rickey is keeping the foul ball just for Rickey, that's where I start to wonder.

[Lathum]

Oh, he does.

well that can't feel good

[Ksyrup]

I'm glad you took it for the sarcasim it was.

I honestly thing the whole thing is silly.

Bill Gates has more money that anyone will need in a lifetime, does that mean he should wipe his ass with hundred dollar bills?

No, but as I pointed out earlier, I would wonder why he would want to play the lotto.

[Young Drachma]

Can't believe this thread has gone on this long.

[spleen1015]

Can't believe this thread has gone on this long.

I find that hard to believe. This FOFC afterall.

[Young Drachma]

I find that hard to believe. This FOFC afterall.

Ok, true. But...seriously. It's not that slow of a news week...

[st.cronin]

Ok, true. But...seriously. It's not that slow of a news week...

I was thinking of starting a Mike Vick thread, with the latest on his involvement in the dog-fighting ring. We haven't a good Vick thread in a while.

[Axxon]

Ha! The act itself is a deprivation.

Man, you guys like to get worked up about nothing, don't you?

Where's Wade when I need him? :p

Probably siding with the sane people in the thread thus seeing no reason to respond. :D

[ISiddiqui]

Ricky did absolutely nothing wrong. It's great that he is still such a fan of the game that he gets excited over catching a foul ball while being a spectator. And it is a different situation - catching a foul suddenly hit to you while in the stands vs. having to catch balls as a LF.

I think people (the two here) that have problems with what Rickey did either are Henderson haters or are just strange. Whenever everyone else thinks you are full of crap maybe it is time to re-evaluate your stance.

[Axxon]

Well guys, I'd love to continue the chat but I'm off to celebrate my daughter's birthday. And when we're at Gattitown tonight and play that horserace game where you squirt water into the little hole, I'm going to beat every single person there and keep the prize, not because I need to, but because I want to and have a right to. Because having that prize will remind me of my daughter's birthday in a way that is much more special than it would be to my daughter, her little friends, or anyone else playing the game.

So, you're a professional squirt water racer?

[TroyF]

ummm. . . pretty much agree with everything that Ksyrup and Rk said.

This is why it's tough to have a discusison anymore. "I think what he did is stupid" "WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN, HE CARES FOR THE CHILDREN" "Um, I didn't say anything about the children, they aren't relevant to my point" "HE CARES ABOUT THE CHILDREN AND ALL YOU CAN DO IS SHRED HIM, HOW DARE YOU?" "Really, I didn't say anything about what he did for the kid, I just think what he did is stupid" "YOU HATE CHILDREN AND SHOULD BE SHOT" "Ummm. . . OK"

Bizzare thread.

[ISiddiqui]

ummm. . . pretty much agree with everything that Ksyrup and Rk said.

This is why it's tough to have a discusison anymore. "I think what he did is stupid" "WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN, HE CARES FOR THE CHILDREN" "Um, I didn't say anything about the children, they aren't relevant to my point" "HE CARES ABOUT THE CHILDREN AND ALL YOU CAN DO IS SHRED HIM, HOW DARE YOU?" "Really, I didn't say anything about what he did for the kid, I just think what he did is stupid" "YOU HATE CHILDREN AND SHOULD BE SHOT" "Ummm. . . OK"

Bizzare thread.

This is why it's tough to have a discussion anymore... I don't recall anyone arguing that "He cares for the children" and "you hate children", especially not as their main point. I mean that's an incredible strawman of monumental proportions.

[st.cronin]

I think Rickey actually IS the children.

[Axxon]

ummm. . . pretty much agree with everything that Ksyrup and Rk said.

This is why it's tough to have a discusison anymore. "I think what he did is stupid" "WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN, HE CARES FOR THE CHILDREN" "Um, I didn't say anything about the children, they aren't relevant to my point" "HE CARES ABOUT THE CHILDREN AND ALL YOU CAN DO IS SHRED HIM, HOW DARE YOU?" "Really, I didn't say anything about what he did for the kid, I just think what he did is stupid" "YOU HATE CHILDREN AND SHOULD BE SHOT" "Ummm. . . OK"

Bizzare thread.

Sorry Troy but I never figured you for someone who would think that you can't respect someone in a profession if you are in the profession yourself. That's what Ksyrup's point really is. It's not adult vs children as he tried in the last post about his childs party. He made the point clearly before then.

It's not because he has money and the kid didn't. It isn't even because another human being is in the building as he clearly says.

It's because he's a ballplayer that he is a loon. A ballplayer can't possibly want a foul ball that he caught while he's watching the game as a fan. I never figured you to react this way.

SHURG.

[molson]

I grant that Rickey is a very silly guy. To me that's a good thing.

This the whole point to me. Sports needs characters and eccentrics. Yet as a society, we hate them (I think the Ksyrup view is the majority), which is why they've gone away.

[larrymcg421]

Gee, I wonder why people keep bringing up the kid...

I don't think it's so much the adult/kid angle as it is "former baseball player who probably has shit more baseballs than this kid will ever see in his life" angle.

It's like going to a kid's birthday party that is short on cake. Instead of giving up the last piece of cake to one of the kids, I decide to eat the piece I was given. That's an asshole move. You know why? Because I'm in a position to drive to the store and buy myself an entire cake to eat if I want, whereas the kid's just not going to get a piece of cake.

[Desnudo]

I remember Doug Flutie catching a ball at a Red Sox game not too long ago. I'm pretty sure he didn't give it away either, the announcers kept showing him with it during the game. Where's the article about him?

Doug Flutie could crap in Big Papi's hat and people in Boston would still love him.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I kinda have a crush on a 51-year-old woman. Can we talk about that instead?

[sterlingice]

Doug Flutie could crap in Big Papi's hat and people in Boston would still love him.

I'm really hoping to not see a newspaper article about that.

SI

[cthomer5000]

Rickey deserved the damn ball.

[Oilers9911]

Did he sign the ball for the kid, Dear Dork...Here's your ball. Your favorite left-fielder?

[Grammaticus]

I don't think it's so much the adult/kid angle as it is "former baseball player who probably has shit more baseballs than this kid will ever see in his life" angle.

I'd say an autographed ball from Henderson is better than anybody's crappy foul ball. Like Molson said, if you don't actually catch it or run it down, so what.

[ISiddiqui]

I kinda have a crush on a 51-year-old woman. Can we talk about that instead?

Is it the one who you accidently set a meeting up with in Outlook?

[Groundhog]

Pardon me for skipping 2 pages worth of replies, but I fail to see the problem. Rickey is clearly a baseball fan, and he said he'd always wanted to catch a foul ball. He finally did. Good for him. That he played baseball for X amount of years and has X amount of baseballs at home is irrelevant. Catching a foul ball is obviously something special to him as a fan of the game.

[Karlifornia]

4 pages dedicated to this? I read the first page...I didn't think this would have had the legs for 4 pages.

[Grammaticus]

Agreed on Henderson, but Schilling is actually the exact opposite -- he's completely manufactured, never says a word without carefully considering how it will impact his public image. He's a complete phony, but how can you blame him when anyone who shows any personality gets strung up for it.


Are you kidding, Shilling is the best. Just the fact that he kept the Squad Leader game alive is enough to make him worthy.

Probably the most disturbing thing in this article:


Henderson keeps ball, signs another for young fanESPN.com news services


SAN FRANCISCO --

Henderson is four months younger than Mets infielder Julio Franco.

"Julio's out there. I know I can play with Julio," Henderson said. "You need to name a whole lot of players before you get to Julio. ... I just want a spring training invite. Most clubs said if I got an invite, I'd probably make their club, but [they] don't have a spot."

For now, Henderson is keeping busy and fit by maintaining the 455 acres he owns near California's Yosemite National Park. He hasn't hit the gym for a while, but he drives a tractor, rides horses and raises cows -- and insists he will win a trophy in competitive fishing one day.

"I'm an old country boy. I don't look like it," he said.


http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/images/2006/03/21/CRIO9Cxv.jpg
No that definately does not look like an ol' country boy :rolleyes:


Anyway, You gotta be kidding me, the Mets can’t find someone better than 48 year old Franco?

[Mustang]

455 acres?

He has too many, he needs to give up some.

[molson]

I love the people that are posting to critique the length of the thread, and thus, increasing the length of the thread

FYI - message board discussions can occasionally branch off and diversify, and not adhere to strictly to the title and original post. I thought that was obvious.

[st.cronin]

This thread WILL make it to 5 pages.

[st.cronin]

dola

trust me

[Glengoyne]

Five pages seems only reasonable given the significance of this topic.

Rickey Henderson is a tool.

That said. He did nothing wrong here.

Those critical of him for even catching the ball are, in my opinion, lacking to place the event in the context of Rickey being a fan attending a game. Does he really spell his name with an "E"? He really is a tool. In any case, yeah, the guy is at a game as a fan and a ball is hit to him. Can you not see the novelty in that context? What if his too long career in major league baseball has not jaded him to the extent that a ball hit by a major league ball player carries no worth to him? Cut the guy some slack.

Oh and while this has nothing to do with the thread. I've always believed that the day that Rickey broke the stolen base record was one of the greatest days in the history of sports. Primarilly because before the ink was dry on Rickey's self proclamation that he was the best of all time, Nolan Ryan through a no hitter, and completely stole the show. Rickey became second page news, and I cherish the memory.

[Rizon]

I to this day think that sitting in the stands at the Coliseum and watching Ricky take off for 2nd base was the most exciting things in sports.

That and Martin kicking dirt on umps.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Is it the one who you accidently set a meeting up with in Outlook?
No, the woman in the meeting is much, much younger. :)

[Karlifornia]

Does he really spell his name with an "E"? He really is a tool. .



Actually, I'm pretty sure that would be his parents. Can't be too sure, though. I suppose he could have named himself right out of the womb. He was a pretty special talent.

[ISiddiqui]

No, the woman in the meeting is much, much younger. :)

You are such a player.

[Hammer755]

I got a ball during BP at the HR Derby in 2004. I showed up early enough where I was in the front row of the left field SRO in MMP, just above the visitor's bullpen. Right beside me was a guy and his daughter, who was 8 or so and obviously a huge baseball fan. She was at the Derby because she was part of the MLB version of the Punt, Pass, & Kick contest held before the festivities.

Some scrub from the AL (Ken Harvey, IIRC) hit a ball deep to left that bounced off the wall. One of the players scooped up the carom and chucked it up over the fence right into my glove. After pondering it for a moment, I gave the ball to the little girl and she was thrilled. A few batters later, Derek Jeter did the same thing, bouncing a ball off the wall that was tossed into the crowd. The girl's dad caught the ball and gave it to me. Karma is a good thing.

I've been pretty lucky in terms of foul balls. In addition to the Derby ball, I have a ball from a college game, a AA game, a couple from here in Houston and one from a Rangers game, which was the best. I was in the upper deck just behind third base and Rusty Greer fouled on in my vicinity. I reached up and snagged it with my bare hand.

[Logan]

Are we sharing foul ball stories?

When I was 7 years old, I was at Shea for Mets-Giants...1990. Great day at the park because Gary Carter (favorite ex-Met) was playing for the Giants back then. Sitting in the mezzanine behind home plate with my family...we're 2 or 3 rows back, and to our right are a couple empty seats and then a father with his baby. At some point, a foul ball comes straight back into our section, and to our right. The other father jumps up, tracks the ball, and LOBS HIS BABY into my father's arms from 3 seats away. He then climbed over about 3 rows and countless people and digs around for the ball. He didn't get it.

[lighthousekeeper]

Are we sharing foul ball stories?

When I was 7 years old, I was at Shea for Mets-Giants...1990. Great day at the park because Gary Carter (favorite ex-Met) was playing for the Giants back then. Sitting in the mezzanine behind home plate with my family...we're 2 or 3 rows back, and to our right are a couple empty seats and then a father with his baby. At some point, a foul ball comes straight back into our section, and to our right. The other father jumps up, tracks the ball, and LOBS HIS BABY into my father's arms from 3 seats away. He then climbed over about 3 rows and countless people and digs around for the ball. He didn't get it.

:eek: Puts Ricky's actions in perspective.

[Greyroofoo]

Ricky Henderson 1
Kid 0

The kid got fricken pwned!!!!!!!

[Anthony]

When I was two years old, foul ball was headed right to me at a Dodger game. Problem is, we were seated back near the overhang for the next deck up, and a guy leaned over and snagged the ball on its downward path.

I reacted about like most two year olds would, but I survived.

This kid will too.

this entire story is fabricated. that, or you weren't two years old. you want to say you were barely out of your diapers and you can recall where you sat.

the guy who snagged the ball - what was he wearing?

[Anthony]

Are we sharing foul ball stories?

When I was 7 years old, I was at Shea for Mets-Giants...1990. Great day at the park because Gary Carter (favorite ex-Met) was playing for the Giants back then. Sitting in the mezzanine behind home plate with my family...we're 2 or 3 rows back, and to our right are a couple empty seats and then a father with his baby. At some point, a foul ball comes straight back into our section, and to our right. The other father jumps up, tracks the ball, and LOBS HIS BABY into my father's arms from 3 seats away. He then climbed over about 3 rows and countless people and digs around for the ball. He didn't get it.

so you want me to believe someone threw their baby into the arms of a stranger 3 ROWS AWAY for a foul ball. this is what you're saying?


what is this - make up silly unbelievable stories day?

[Anthony]

i was at one game at Shea, too. i remember this one time this guy sitting next to me had his little infant in his arms. so Todd Hundley hits a foul ball and it's headed in our direction, but it was apparent it was gonna sail over our heads. so this guy took his infant and tossed it into the air at the exact moment the ball was flying over our heads and the infant knocked it down. the guy wound up catching both the foul ball and the infant and the entire Stadium went wild.


ok, this *is* fun. who's next?

[MalcPow]

I just started reading this but I totally agree that if the kid wasn't black this whole thing would be a non-story.

[Logan]

so you want me to believe someone threw their baby into the arms of a stranger 3 ROWS AWAY for a foul ball. this is what you're saying?


what is this - make up silly unbelievable stories day?

You live in fucking Astoria. You've never met someone who would sacrifice their baby for a foul ball?

And it wasn't 3 ROWS AWAY...it was 3 SEATS AWAY...dick.

[lighthousekeeper]

i was at one game at Shea, too. i remember this one time this guy sitting next to me had his little infant in his arms. so Todd Hundley hits a foul ball and it's headed in our direction, but it was apparent it was gonna sail over our heads. so this guy took his infant and tossed it into the air at the exact moment the ball was flying over our heads and the infant knocked it down. the guy wound up catching both the foul ball and the infant and the entire Stadium went wild.


ok, this *is* fun. who's next?

I remember seeing that on Web Gems. That was awesome.

[SackAttack]

this entire story is fabricated. that, or you weren't two years old. you want to say you were barely out of your diapers and you can recall where you sat.

the guy who snagged the ball - what was he wearing?

Couldn't tell you what deck we were on, or where in the stadium we were.

Here's what I remember. Crack of the bat. Look up. Here comes a baseball. I've got my glove up, hot dog, I'm going to catch a ball!

Dude leans over the railing above me, snags the ball. Where'd my ball go? Dude, this sucks.

What was he wearing? Hell if I know. I'm nearsighted, and that wasn't corrected with glasses until I was 8 or 9.

But I can see a baseball when it's coming towards me, and I can see a human body lean over a railing. I'm nearsighted, not blind.

Just like you're mentally deficient, not brain-dead. Subtle distinction, but an important one!

[DanGarion]

No! I don't care who he gives it to! It's the fact that a MLB player would care whether he kept a foul ball. It's the fact that he acted like my 3-year old in claiming the ball was "his" when he has access to a pile of MLB baseballs at home. It has nothing to do with the relative value of the foul ball versus the signed ball, either - irrelevant. It's the simple fact that he caught the ball to begin with and felt compelled to keep it.


Where the hell on the ticket stub does it say if an adult catches a ball they have to give it to a whiny little bastard sitting next to them?

I'm pretty sure if mommy and daddy were able to afford tickets on the field level of a MLB game, they can afford to get the kid a damn baseball. It's not like these balls are hot commodities, they are easily obtainable through normal channels. The way some of you are acting, you'd think Rickey fought over the ball or punched out a kid to acquire it.

[Schmidty]

i was at one game at Shea, too. i remember this one time this guy sitting next to me had his little infant in his arms. so Todd Hundley hits a foul ball and it's headed in our direction, but it was apparent it was gonna sail over our heads. so this guy took his infant and tossed it into the air at the exact moment the ball was flying over our heads and the infant knocked it down. the guy wound up catching both the foul ball and the infant and the entire Stadium went wild.


ok, this *is* fun. who's next?

I still dislike you, but that was really funny.

[Ksyrup]

This is fascinating stuff, in an "I have no life" kinda way. But the last 45 seconds or so illustrates why it is so ridiculous for Rickey Henderson to want to keep a foul ball.

And no, I still haven't let this issue go, motherfuckers! :p


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[MikeVic]

edit again: No, I disagree with you. The fan explains the feeling you get from catching a foul ball. Rickey could've felt the same way.

[Ksyrup]

edit again: No, I disagree with you. The fan explains the feeling you get from catching a foul ball. Rickey could've felt the same way.

The feeling he describes is of a nobody who gets to feel the rush/excitement of touching a ball a major league player touched, feeling like the 10th fielder, and having all eyes in the park focused on him. He feels special. Rickey felt 1 million times those feelings as the legit center of attention for 20+ years. He cannot, by definition, experience those feelings.

[st.cronin]

The feeling he describes is of a nobody who gets to feel the rush/excitement of touching a ball a major league player touched, feeling like the 10th fielder, and having all eyes in the park focused on him. He feels special. Rickey felt 1 million times those feelings as the legit center of attention for 20+ years. He cannot, by definition, experience those feelings.

You are a loon.

[MikeVic]

The feeling he describes is of a nobody who gets to feel the rush/excitement of touching a ball a major league player touched, feeling like the 10th fielder, and having all eyes in the park focused on him. He feels special. Rickey felt 1 million times those feelings as the legit center of attention for 20+ years. He cannot, by definition, experience those feelings.

I disagree. So you're saying athletes can't look at other athletes or the sport in amazement, just because they play the sport for a living?

[Ksyrup]

Yes, that's what I'm saying. Rickey did not experience those feelings, guaranteed. He couldn't, because no matter how long he stays retired from baseball, he will never be an Average Joe who can only experience what it feels like to be a major league player by living that life vicariously through touching a foul ball.

Goddamn I love this thread. This is probably the pinnacle of arguing over nothing just for the sake of arguing.

[Huckleberry]

I disagree. So you're saying athletes can't look at other athletes or the sport in amazement, just because they play the sport for a living?

Now wait a second. One thing we can be pretty certain about is that Rickey Henders does not look at other athletes in amazement. The guy thinks he's the greatest and still thinks he's good enough to play in the majors.

More importantly, did the article or thread ever discuss whether Henderson wore a baseball mitt to the game. Because if he did that, then I think everyone on this thread needs to apologize to rkmsuf and Ksyrup.

[st.cronin]

I submit that Rickey's inner world is completely inaccessible to us. His behavior, while eccentric, is neither harmful nor distasteful.

[stevew]

that guy is almost as big of a liar as that one bitch (http://www.jacquelinegagne.com) who supposedly hit 18some hole-in-one's in a year.

[MikeVic]

Goddamn I love this thread. This is probably the pinnacle of arguing over nothing just for the sake of arguing.

I agree.

[MikeVic]

I submit that Rickey's inner world is completely inaccessible to us. His behavior, while eccentric, is neither harmful nor distasteful.

Yes. Who are we to judge how Rickey feels? If he says he's wanted to experience this his entire life, then let him.

[stevew]

let rickey be rickey. or

what better random foul ball or signed ball by future hall of famer

[DanGarion]

This is fascinating stuff, in an "I have no life" kinda way. But the last 45 seconds or so illustrates why it is so ridiculous for Rickey Henderson to want to keep a foul ball.

And no, I still haven't let this issue go, motherfuckers! :p


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This guy is just a plain loser. I don't see how this shows what is so ridiculous about Ricky wanted to keep the ball.

[Mustang]

Now wait a second. One thing we can be pretty certain about is that Rickey Henders does not look at other athletes in amazement. The guy thinks he's the greatest and still thinks he's good enough to play in the majors.


Maybe Rickey gets a rush from catching a foul ball in the same way the Aztec Gods would get a rush from a human sacrifice. He views it that his lessers are paying him tribute by ocassionally sending a ball his way.

There is no way you peasants will ever be able to feel that rush. The feeling of your minions paying tribute to you.

[Lorena]

This is fascinating stuff, in an "I have no life" kinda way. But the last 45 seconds or so illustrates why it is so ridiculous for Rickey Henderson to want to keep a foul ball.

And no, I still haven't let this issue go, motherfuckers! :p


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He can ask for a ball in 27 different languages including sign-language? LOL, that cracked me up.

[MikeVic]

What if Rickey Henderson get the ball instead of the son of that guy. Would your opinion change?

[MikeVic]

And the guy uses an argument that it makes him feel like a ball player or some shit right? How is ASKING FOR A FREAKING BALL making you feel like a ball player? Does Manny Ramirez ask Derek Jeter to pass him a ball?