Article:Rickey Henderson to headline 2009 Hall of Fame Ballot

Now that the 2008 Hall of Fame class has been enshrined and their respective place in baseball history cemented for eternity, attention now turns to the Class of 2009. Tentatively scheduled to headline the ballot is the all-time leader in runs and stolen bases, and, arguably, in self-promotion, is Rickey Henderson. Henderson, whose career spanned four decades, (1979-2003) amassed totals of 2,295 runs, 1,406 stolen bases along with 3,055 hits.

One problem, however. Long before Manny Ramirez was identified by, "Manny being Manny", the popular phrase was "Rickey being Rickey." Seems Henderson has not officially filed his retirement papers with the MLB offices, making him, technically, an active player. Henderson must officially file the necessary paperwork before the final ballot is prepared and mailed, sometime around December first. Henderson's time after 2003 playing in the minor leagues and in the independent Golden League do not affect his major league status, his last ML game was in 2003 with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Henderson, a career .279 hitter, has World Series Championship rings with the 1989 A's and the 1993 Blue Jays, was also a seven time All-Star and the 1990 American League MVP with Oakland.

Some other notable first-time candidates who could pass screening and make the ballot include 1995 American League MVP Mo Vaughn, along with his cousin, four time All-Star outfielder Greg, 1994 Cy Young winner and author of a perfect game while with the Yankees, David Cone, the all-time leader in pitching appearances, (1,252) Jesse Orosco, and three contributors to the Arizona Diamondbacks 2001 World Championship team, Jay Bell, Mark Grace and Matt Williams.

The 2009 ballot likely will break the previous record as the smallest ballot ever, which was set this year, with 25. This could bode well for Jim Rice, the 1978 AL MVP with the Boston Red Sox who is in his final year of eligibility. Also on the ballot for the final time is a player more commonly known by a surgery, Tommy John. John, who won 288 games over 26 seasons, is considered a long shot at best, as he has never been named on more than 29.6 percent of the votes cast in any year. Rice, however, missed this past season by just 16 votes, and while former Yankee pitcher Red Ruffing was the last player named on his final ballot way back in 1967, no player has missed election by fewer votes than Rice without being elected.

A player whose standing on the ballot who may be assisted by the presence of Henderson is Tim Raines, who received 24.3 percent of the vote in his first year in 2008. Raines, a leadoff hitter and perennial stolen base champ in the same vein as Henderson may receive some sympathy votes this year, drawing attention from select voters who appreciate the "small ball" effect the stolen base brings to the game. On the ballot for the third time, and who received fewer votes in 2008 than did Raines is Mark McGwire. Undoubtedly hurt by the accusations of steriod use, McGwire's vote totals give a long term projection to what Rafael Palmeiro, Sammy Sosa, and Barry Bonds can expect in upcoming elections.

Remaining on the ballot for 2009 are Don Mattingly, Harold Baines,  Alan Trammell,Andre Dawson, Dale Murphy, Dave Parker, Bert Blyleven, Jack Morris and Lee Smith.