Ricky Henderson’s HOF Speech Tomorrow is Required Viewing

Normally I wouldn’t recommend sitting inside on a Sunday to watch a bunch of old guys make some speeches, but tomorrow’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony IS REQUIRED WATCHING.

Why? Because Rickey Henderson is being enshrined and that guy is ALREADY a Hall of Famer when it comes to uniquely butchering the English language.

Need a couple of examples? Newsday thoroughly covers some of Rickey’s greatest hits in this article. Check it out…also highly recommended.

Tomorrow’s gonna be a wash-out anyway. The weather calls for rain all day. What else are you gonna do? Coverage starts at 12:30 pm on the MLB Network.

Not only is Rickey’s speech guaranteed to be unforgettable, I’m guessing his wardrobe won’t disappoint, either.

Over/Under on the following fashion accessories: sunglasses, gaudy gold necklace, outrageous dress shirt, diamond-stud earring and/or exotic leather shoes.

I’m guessing Rickey rocks at least three of those items. Anybody want to take the over? It’s probably a good bet.

But here’s the real money wager: over/under the number of times Rickey refers to himself in the third person (or as the Newsday article says Henderson calls it, “the third party.”)

5? 10? More than 15??!! Whatever the number turns out to be, we’ll all be better off for having heard it.

Like I said earlier, unless the player being honored played for your team, the average fan has little interest in hearing an induction speech.

But when it comes to Rickey Henderson, a guy who once dubbed himself “The Greatest of All Time,” this speech is MUST SEE TV.

Besides, he played for nine teams in his big league career….so chances are he DID play for your team.

Matt Estreich for The Huddle