Rickey Henderson Quotes - Page 2

I patterned myself after Reggie Jackson. I wanted to have that same swing and hit some homeruns. When I was down in A-ball, I was trying to be Reggie Jackson and I was striking out all the time. And I was like, 'This isn't the way Reggie is doing it, so I got to change.'

A good friend of mine took me out and had me hit off a tee. He made me understand what was my strike zone and - with my speed - the importance of making contact. So I give him a lot of credit for changing my game and making me the player I became. He showed me how to work on me and my game, and not worry about patterning myself after someone else and focusing on what they were capable of doing rather than what I was capable of doing.

I was stealing all the bases, and when you had to go to arbitration they said, 'You know, only the big boys make the money.' So I got to try and figure out how to hit a home run, too.

It's always exciting that you can rub elbows with some of the greatest players who have ever played the game, and just being around the "family" again from baseball.

Certain guys, they can see a guy do a certain thing with their glove and know what pitch is coming. I couldn't do that. But I can get on first base and I can tell you by his move if that pitcher is going to first base or home plate every time.

I'm a walking record.

If you look at some of the people in the Hall of Fame, my numbers are compatible.

The only name on my birth certificate was Henley, no first name.

It gave me no chance. He (Nolan Ryan) just blew it (strikeout #5,000) by me. But its an honor. I'll have another paragraph in all the baseball books. I'm already in the books three or four times.

I can still steal a base anytime I get ready.

I wanted to be a part of something special and contributing to the launch of a new league was very exciting to me.

I can't find a job. It makes me crazy.

I like playing for Oakland, they have a very colorful uniform.

You never had the opportunity to play with some of the great ballplayers, but being that close around them, and being in the same category, was a great feeling, to feel that vibe of all the best players who played the game.

In baseball you train the whole body, except for the hip and eyes.

My journey as a player is complete.

I haven't had the time to say, 'I'm retiring.' But baseball says, 'You're retired.'

I don't think I could have dreamt it up any better than how things went, of being at my peak at just the right time, and have everything go my way.

My dream was to play football for the Oakland Raiders. But my mother thought I would get hurt playing football, so she chose baseball for me. I guess moms do know best.

Just because I believed in what I was doing on the field and dedicated myself to playing the game, does that mean I'm cocky? Does that mean I'm arrogant?

I don't think some of the players understand what the people are about. The people are coming out to show you their appreciation of the game, and the player that you are.

Speeches and me don't get along sometimes. It is kind of like putting a tie too tight on my neck. I'm going to do whatever feels right.

I don't want to be one of those great players who never made it to the (World) Series.

I don't think I ever got proper credit about being smart about the game.

Oakland is home, and you always want to go home. Anytime you get the chance, you're happy to go home.