Advertisement

Rickey Henderson on Hall of Fame ballot

Rickey Henderson, shown prior to a game in August 2007 when he was a coach for the New York Mets, is one of the biggest names on this year's Baseball Hall of Fame ballot. (UPI Photo/Mark Goldman)
Rickey Henderson, shown prior to a game in August 2007 when he was a coach for the New York Mets, is one of the biggest names on this year's Baseball Hall of Fame ballot. (UPI Photo/Mark Goldman) | License Photo

NEW YORK, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- All-time stolen base leader Rickey Henderson is among 10 players on the 2009 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot for the first time.

Henderson played 25 seasons in the major leagues, having spent times with nine different teams, including four stints with the Oakland Athletics. He scored 2,295 runs and finished with 1,406 stolen bases. Henderson amassed 3,055 hits, including 297 home runs.

Advertisement

His 81 home runs to lead off a game represent a record, as does his 130 stolen bases in 1982.

Other first-time nominees are: Jay Bell, David Cone, Ron Gant, Mark Grace, Jesse Orosco, Dan Plesac, Greg Vaughn, Mo Vaughn and Matt Williams.

With 13 holdovers from previous ballots, the total of 23 players to be considered for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame is the smallest in history. Notable names among the holdovers are Jim Rice, who was 16 votes short of being awarded a place in the Hall of Fame last year, and Andre Dawson, who was 50 votes short.

Advertisement

Players must be selected on 75 percent of the ballots returned by eligible voting members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Results of the voting is to be released Jan. 12.

Latest Headlines