Independently Rickey

Jayson Stark reports that Rickey Henderson will sign with an independent team very soon, or at least when he finally picks one. They're all interesting in Rickey because of the obvious marketing advantages.

I'm not sure what Henderson has left to prove, he has played at the same level for the last four out of five years: i.e., low batting average and no power but a high on-base percentage and lots of walks. And when I say "lots of walks", I mean for the entire team. It seems to follow him around. His steals finally fell into the single digits last year, but that may have been more a function of the Red Sox as a team and his role on that team rather than Henderson losing a step. Rickey also has the legendary bad attitude, and I guess that's why teams, major-league ones at least, are no longer interested.

Stark also reports (obviously) that his Hall of Fame eligible is unaffected by his playing in the independent leagues. But I can't imagine that Rickey will stay in the independent leagues for long if it becomes clear that the majors are no longer in sight. There's no fear of him wearing a St. Paul Saints hat in the Hall.