FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 14, 2003
Contact: Jim Cerny (973) 848-1000, ext. 109
NEWARK, NJ, July 14-The Newark Bears announced today that the Los Angeles
Dodgers have agreed to contract terms with Atlantic League All Star Game MVP
and future baseball Hall-of-Famer Rickey Henderson.
The 44 year-old Henderson joined the Bears this season after not receiving a
spring training invitation from any Major League team. With Newark,
Henderson batted .339 with 8 home runs and 33 runs-batted-in. At the time of
his departure from the Bears, Henderson was the second leading hitter in the
Atlantic League, was tied for the league lead in runs scored (52), led the
league in on-base percentage (.493) and was second in slugging percentage
(.591). He also had nine stolen bases and led off three games with home
runs.
"I enjoyed my stay in Newark and working with the younger generation
players," said Henderson. "I saw it as a preview of being a coach one day
when my playing days are done."
Henderson, who is Major League Baseball's all-time leader in stolen bases,
runs scored, walks and lead-off home runs, instantly became the greatest and
most famous player to ever don a uniform in the Atlantic League when he
started for the Bears on opening day against the Bridgeport Bluefish. He
added to his legacy by winning the MVP award at the Atlantic League All Star
Game last Wednesday, going 1-2 and driving in the winning run with a double.
"I would like to thank the Bears and the rest of the teams in the Atlantic
League for their courtesy and professionalism and for making my stay a
comfortable one," said Henderson. "I enjoyed meeting everyone in their
respective communities, especially the kids."
Chris Bryan, Vice President and General Manager of the Bears, said, "It was
a true pleasure to have Rickey as a member of the Bears family. I applaud
his play on the field, his work with our players and his great relationship
with our fans. It's great to know that he will always be a Bear."
