Newark Bears Web Site

For Immediate Release Contact: Jim Cerny
(973) 848-1000, ext. 109

NEWARK, NJ, July 15 - The following are excerpts taken from Rickey Henderson's press conference held today. Henderson, who was batting .339 with 8 homeruns and 33 rbi's with the Bears this season, signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball Monday evening.

Q: Rickey, what do you think of the Atlantic League?
A: "I'd say the Atlantic league is a mix between high Double-A and Tiple-A ball. It is very competitive, and has guys that have been in and out of the big leagues and around the game for a long time. I would tell anybody that if they still want to play, and love the game, they should come down to the independent league."

Q: What was your favorite part about playing in the Minor Leagues for the Newark Bears?
"I enjoyed myself in Newark and I had fun playing with the kids and getting to teach them about how to get to the Major Leagues. They asked me lots of questions about how to improve their game, and I really enjoyed that."

Q: What was your mindset watching Jose Lima work his way back from the Newark Bears to the Major Leagues, and have the success that he has had with the Kansas City Royals?
A: "If you believe in yourself and work hard, good things can happen."

Q: Why, at 44 years old, are you still playing the game?
A: "I wanted to prove to people that I love to play the game. I was enjoying myself in Newark, I was having fun playing the game. I used the off-season to stay in shape and to face live pitching. If you keep working hard then good things come up in the end."