Henderson Bat Records

[kahuna23]

Does any one have bat records for Ricky Henderson? In the Mastronet Reference and Price Guide they list Henderson as using LS models S2 and C243, but all I find at the auction houses and on Ebay are LS T141. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve

[MSpecht]

Hi Steve--

Here is the Rickey Henderson information from Feb. 1982 through the end of the 1996 season. (He debuted in june, 1979 but I do not have the first 3 years' records.)

Throughout Henderson's career his model of choice was H & B Model T141. Virtually all of his professional orders of all models were 34 inches in length, with a very few orders at 34.5 inches. His early models in 1982 and 1983 were S2, H253, H256C, and F141. His first order of T141 was shipped on 6/27/83 (with the possible exception of any 1979, 1980, or 1981 orders.)

By labeling period, here are the H& B models that were sent to Henderson personally:

1984-1985:
S44, C243S, S188C, M253, S2, H176,T141.

1986-1989:
T141(95%), S2, S44C, T141C, M172, C243.
Keep in mind that during this labeling period many 34 inch Henderson T141 bats were sent to Anaconda-Kaye and other promotional entities.

1990:
T141 (98 %) , C243.
Again, during this labeling period hundreds of T141 in 34" length were shipped to Anaconda-Kaye and other promotions.

1991-1994:
T14198%), H239, B345, H238C,

1995-1996:
T141 (80%), T141C, B360

Thus, for Rickey Henderson, the characteristic bat is T141, 34 inches in length, and weight between 31 and 32 ounces. Finishes were varied, as he used Hickory, Flame Tempered, Wax, Natural, Black, and sometimes no finish. Personal use characteristics often included various taping of the handle and on occasion the knob, and often a generous amount of pine tar. Henderson often numbered his own bats, and his characteristic numerals indicate a left-handed slant.

The promary difficulty with determining Henderson gamers is the fact that so many promotional models were produced in the same model and dimensions as Henderson's ordered professional bats, which is not always the case. Secondary use characteristics, player's personal characteristics, the quality of the wood, and the source of the bat are of major consideration.

If you have a specific bat within a labeling period listed above, send the labeling period, model, length, and weight (pics would also help) and I will research the records for that specific bat,

Good Luck in future collecting.

Mike

I

[kahuna23]

Mike,
Thanks for the great info.
Steve