Mariners Sign Ricky Henderson

Rickey Henderson, released by the New York Mets over the weekend, has reached an agreement to play for the Seattle Mariners, The Associated Press learned Wednesday night.

The deal includes a team option for a 2001 contract at $3 million, a baseball source who asked not to be identified told the AP.

Henderson and the Mariners agreed about eight hours after baseball's career stolen base leader cleared waivers. The Montreal Expos also pursued signing him.

Henderson was cut by the Mets on Saturday in the midst of a troubling season. Slumping at the plate and booed by fans at Shea Stadium, he was feuding with management.

The Mariners, picked by many to win the AL West, are leading the division. They will likely use the 41-year-old Henderson as their regular leadoff hitter and left fielder.

Henderson, a 10-time All-Star and the 1990 AL MVP, is regarded by many as the greatest leadoff hitter in major league history. He was MVP of the AL championship series in 1989, when he helped the Athletics on to the World Series championship.

Since starting in the majors, Henderson has shifted teams nine times. He's had four stints with the Athletics, and also has played for the New York Yankees, Toronto, San Diego and Anaheim.

Last Friday night, Henderson was criticized by Mets manager Bobby Valentine for failing to run out a long drive Henderson said he thought it was going to be a home run.

Prior to Saturday's game against Florida, Henderson shouted at a reporter who wrote about the incident.

"After considering everything that happened last night and this morning, something had to be done," Mets general manager Steve Phillips said at the time. "I think the reasons are fairly obvious. No matter how much talent you have, if you continue to create problems and situations, you wear out your welcome. We got to the point where we had to compromise our ideals and what we expect from our players too often."

Last year, Henderson did not run out a ball on a similar play against Atlanta, which Valentine noted. Henderson also created a stir when he and Bobby Bonilla were accused of playing cards in the Mets' clubhouse during the season-ending, extra-inning loss at Atlanta in the NL championship series.

Henderson, though, said he was not the reason the Mets, the NL wild-card winner last year, were hovering around the .500 mark this season.

"I didn't cause them to lose. Look someplace else," he said before quickly leaving the clubhouse following a 7-6 loss to Florida, his final game for th Mets.

During his career, Henderson often has slumped when unhappy. Last season, he hit .315 with a .423 on-base percentage best among NL leadoff men and stole 37 bases.

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