Oakland A's to retire Rickey Henderson's No. 24

Rickey Henderson ended his glorious major league career with the Dodgers in 2003, with an undistinguished 30 games at age 44. Yet in his final plate appearance, as a pinch-hitter in a game in which the Dodgers started Jeromy Burnitz in left field, Henderson went out in the most appropriate way possible: He scored a run. 

He retired as baseball's all-time leader in runs scored. He'll be inducted into the Hall of Fame this month. And his hometown Oakland Athletics announced this morning that they would retire his No. 24 next month.

Henderson played 14 of his 25 seasons with the A's, playing for their 1989 World Series champions and winning the American League MVP in Oakland in 1990.

Oakland's roster of players with retired numbers is pretty impressive, and all Hall of Famers: Henderson, Dennis Eckersley, Catfish Hunter and Reggie Jackson.

-- Bill Shaikin

Photo: Rickey Henderson. Credit: Associated Press