Congrats to Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice for making the Hall of Fame. Was always perplexed by the car the Sox gave him in 2002, but it led to one of many funny Rickey being Rickey stories:
- In the last week of his lone season with the Red Sox, Chairman Tom Werner asked Henderson what he would like for his ‘going-away’ gift. Henderson said he wasn’t going anywhere, but he would like owner John Henry’s Mercedes. Werner said it would be tough to get the same make and model in less than a week and Henderson said, “No, I want his car.” Turns out the Sox got Henderson a Red Thunderbird and when he saw it on the field before the last game of the season, Rickey said, “Whose ugly car is on the field?” (Link)
Speaking of cars, another one of my favourite Rickey details was the fact that he was born in a ‘57 Chevy.
As for Jim Rice, what more is there to say? I still remain on the fence about his HoF credentials, but am in no doubt that he was one of a great line of players who patrolled the left field beneath the Monster.