To all:

Here is an article about Rickey Henderson:


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http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/0331/1361029.html

Sunday, March 31

If Henderson does not sign by Monday, he'll 'go home'

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ESPN.com news services


It appears the Rickey Henderson holdout isn't over after all.


Henderson



Two days after Henderson's contract was apparently purchased from Triple-A
Pawtucket by the Red Sox -- a indication he seemingly had settled his beef with
the team -- the future Hall of Famer's stance against signing the major league
contract with the team seemed no different, though his motives remained unclear.

Henderson insisted he would not "put my John Henry " -- meaning his signature --
on the one-year, $350,000 pact because "the contract is not right," he told The
Boston Globe. He still would not say what was wrong with the deal, which is
virtually identical to the minor league contract he signed with an understanding
that if he made the club it would become a major league agreement.

Henderson said he had no problem with the value of the contract, and said the
Sox were aware of "a stipulation" he has sought that they had yet to grant, the
Globe reported. Unless the issue is resolved, he told the Globe, "That contract
won't get signed. I'll go home."

Red Sox interim general manager Mike Port said he was not aware of any request
by Henderson to change the contract. Port told the Globe he knew of no agreement
that former GM Dan Duquette may have made with Henderson that would have caused
the snag.

If one existed, he said, Henderson's agent -- Jeff Borris -- would have
mentioned it to him. Borris has said he did not expect Henderson to have an
issue with the contract.

But with rules prohibiting players who do have not signed major league deals
from playing, Port told the Globe Henderson's refusal to sign was "edging
closer" to reaching a critical juncture for the team with Opening Day looming.

Port said that there were no plans to renegotiate the deal, which is filed with
the Players Association. So it appears Henderson's options are to sign it before
the first pitch Monday or retire.

"I won't sign that deal Jeff Borris negotiated," the 43-year-old Henderson told
The Boston Herald. "I already told (Port) no on Thursday."

Port said he planned to speak with manager Grady Little about calling up an
extra outfielder in case Henderson continues to balk.

In a positive sign, Henderson flew to Boston with the team and reiterated his
desire to play for the Sox, the Globe reported, and he worked out with the team
Sunday. That indicates he could sign the contract Sunday. But Saturday he said
he was waiting for a call to inform him that his concerns had been addressed.

"I've got my cell (phone) on," he told the Globe. "The batteries are going to go
dead, I've had it on so long, but nobody has called me and said anything."

When asked if the stipulation was money, incentive clauses or contract language,
he replied: "It's a little bit of everything. . . . I don't know, man."

Henderson told the Herald that he would leave the team if the deal wasn't
signed, but also said that he expected to be in uniform Monday.

"I believe when we get to Boston, it will be worked out," he said. "That's what
I believe, but if we get to Boston and I get the same (contract), I'm going to
go home."


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GO A'S!!!!
Chris Halladay
List Owner & Moderator
Swingin_As@...
http://www.geocities.com/asfan93711
Fresno, CA



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