Rick Down Out, Rickey Henderson In as Hitting Coach

by Eric Simon on Jul 11, 2007 11:41 PM EDT

According to Newsday via MetsBlog, Rick Down has been fired as hitting coach of the Mets, replaced by Rickey "Rickey" Henderson. Henderson has a myriad of personality disorders, but his approach at the plate was rivaled by few. He has been given much credit for Jose Reyes's improvement at the plate over the past two seasons, and the Mets obviously hope he can impart some of that wisdom on some of the other young players (Lastings Milledge, anyone?).

I'm shocked by the move, but not *that* shocked. The Mets' offense has been their biggest problem over the first eighty-some-odd games of the season, and when you can't fire the hitters you punt the hitting coach instead.

For his career, Henderson drew one walk for every five at-bats and was the all-time walk leader before Barry Bonds shattered it a few years back.

UPDATE [12:26am]: The Associated Press has confirmed it.

UPDATE [9:19am]: According to The New York Times, Henderson has been hired on to the coaching staff but it's not yet clear if it's as the hitting coach. They are said to be considering both Henderson and Howard Johnson for that job.

Tweet Comment 4 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

My goodness

I guess Ricky can teach them how not to run out fly balls and play cards in the clubhouse during playoff games. This is a very strange move coming at a very strange time.

Save America. Impeach Bush

by elifriedman on Jul 12, 2007 1:27 AM EDT reply actions

Meh

A change was necesary maybe. But the only people who can change the mets are the 9 guys on the field every nite.

by NewMet5 on Jul 12, 2007 2:26 AM EDT reply actions

I heard on the news this morning

that they might have Rickey coach first base, with HoJo taking over the role of hitting coach. Perhaps that makes a little more sense, I dunno.

We've got ourselves a ball club, the Mets of New York town!

by kingcritical on Jul 12, 2007 9:25 AM EDT reply actions

They also mentioned

PLaying Hojo at first base and/or hitting and making Rickey an entirely new manager of baserunning and stealing. That leaves question who'd be the other coach.

by NewMet5 on Jul 13, 2007 12:18 AM EDT reply actions