Celebrity sighting of the day: Rickey Henderson

I was driving to the Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto today with my wife when she asked me to drop her off and finish her Christmas shopping. There was no parking left so I circled the mall as she ran in and bought her last few gifts.

While orbiting the parking lot, I saw a Latino couple walking across the street towards the mall. Walking with them was an African American man who was dressed well. And there was no mistaking who it was.

It was Rickey Henderson.
The greatest lead off hitter in baseball history... the Hall of Fame spark plug of the 1989 World Champion A's was walking towards Neiman Marcus.

If I were walking around, I'd ask for his autograph. I had my camera with me, so I would have asked for a picture. But I was in my car, so I couldn't do ANYTHING... EXCEPT roll down my window and behave like a horse's ass.

"Hey Rickey!" I yelled.

Rickey turned at me with a huge grin on his face, giving me a wave. He didn't strike me as someone who would shy away from attention.

I tell you what DID strike me. Rickey looked terrific. He is in great shape and I bet could make 12 big league rosters as a reserve outfielder.

I said "You should still be playing."

He replied "I know."

He's awesome and always has been.
And no doubt went into Crate and Barrel and said "Rickey needs a gift receipt."