It is a challenge to remember, but Rickey Henderson played for the Yankees from 1985 until 1989. When attempting to determine Henderson’s ranking among Yankees’ outfielders, one can consider only his Yankees’ career, or one can consider his entire career compared to the careers of others that played the outfield for the Yankees. Henderson hit .288 and averaged 65 stolen bases a season while with the Yankees, despite playing in only 95 games in 1988 and only 65 in 1989. He set the Yankees’ team record when he stole 93 bases in 1988.
Ruth, DiMaggio, and Mantle Were Greater Players Than Rickey
Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, and Mickey Mantle had better Yankees careers and better lifetime careers than Henderson. Dave Winfield and Reggie Jackson had better Yankees careers and while one can present statistics, Winfield and Reggie had better overall careers than Henderson.
Rickey, Winfield and Reggie
Dave Winfield had a higher lifetime batting average and hit more home runs. Henderson’s higher on base average and huge edge in stolen bases still do NOT make him the pick over Winfield. Henderson was the greatest leadoff batter ever, while Winfield was “merely” a great third or fourth hitter. Winfield is the pick. Reggie Jackson was great, but he did not have as strong career as Henderson statistically, despite hitting 563 home runs. Reggie was a leader who wanted to win. It’s probably a toss up between Rickey and Reggie.
Earle Combs: A Hall of Famer
During the Lou Gehrig-Babe Ruth era, Earle Combs played centerfield for the first Yankees’ dynasty. Combs batted leadoff and averaged almost 200 hits, 75 walks, 132 runs scored and only 31 strikeouts a season. His lifetime batting average was .325, and his on base average was an amazing .397. In four World Series, he batted .350 with .443 on base average. There is no doubt that Combs ranks higher than Henderson as a Yankee, and while Henderson is considered the greatest of all leadoff batters, Combs is in the Hall of Fame.
Roger Maris’ Injuries
Charlie Keller, Tommy Henrich, and Hank Bauer were not as great as Rickey, but they had better careers with the Yankees, while the player who holds the American League record for the most home runs in a single season, Roger Maris, presents a difficult situation. Everyone acknowledges Mickey Mantle’s injuries, but Roger’s are virtually ignored. He played the entire 1963 season with an injured hand and in June 1965, he felt something pop while batting and missed the rest of the season. As a Yankee, Roger ranks higher than Rickey.
Paul O’Neill’s Intensity
Paul O’Neill won the batting title in the disastrous season of 1994 when he hit .359. O’Neill batted at least .300 for six consecutive seasons and was an integral part of the final Yankees’ dynasty. He is one of the most underrated of all recent players, except by those who saw him play every day. Many in the media remember his intensity, a characteristic which many in our increasing politically correct society denigrate, but that is their problem. O’Neill wanted to win and recognized that each season, there is only one winning team. Henderson had a better career than O’Neill did, but there are few who would not take O’Neill if it were for one at bat that meant the World Championship.
If RIckey Had Played for the Yankees Longer
The Yankees have had many great outfielders. Only Ruth, DiMaggio, and Mantle were better players than Rickey Henderson was, but as a Yankee, Rickey did not stay around long enough to rank high on the list. If he had played for the Yankees at another time in their history, he might be remembered as one of the all time great Yankees, but he has played for so many teams that it easy to forget he played for the Yankees, and from a sampling of fans, it is not easy to forget that Rickey didn’t always hustle.
References:
Rickey Henderson at Baseball-Reference
Yankees at Baseball-Reference
Rickey Henderson at Baseball Library
Roger Maris at Baseball Library
