"It's definitely a happy day, but not surprising when you look at the career Rickey had," Rollins said.
Rollins was raised in Alameda, Calif., not far from where Henderson burned up the base paths for the Oakland Athletics. Rollins recalled going to A's games in the early 1990s, when Henderson was in his second tour with the A's.
"I would always get there early so I could watch him stretch and run," said Rollins, who has stolen 40-plus bases four times in his big-league career. "I tried to emulate his batting stance. Every time he got on base, I'd say to myself, 'OK, what's Rickey thinking?'
"I'd study him the way an archaeologist would study T-rex bones. I looked at the way he affected games with his speed, then tried to do it in my own games."
Rollins was enthralled by Henderson's trademark "coolness."
"He was a total entertainment package," Rollins said. "He inspired me to play with style."
Rollins laughed as he recalled how upset he'd get if an A's game was not televised. He laughed again when he recalled meeting Henderson for the first time. Rollins was a 22-year-old rookie with the Phillies in 2001, on his way to the National League stolen-base crown. Henderson was 42, winding down his career with the San Diego Padres.
Rollins is not easily intimidated, but he remembers being anxious that day in San Diego. Henderson was not in the lineup. Several hours before game time, Rollins had a feeling Henderson would be working out in the weight room. Should I? Shouldn't I?
"I cracked the door, and there he was, doing curls," Rollins said. "I let the door shut. 'Oh, my goodness, Rickey's right there.' Finally I went in. We talked. I was like a little kid meeting his favorite player."
