I hope everyone's December 25th is terrific

I will say Merry Christmas to all of my readers.

I will also say Happy Holidays.

And if either one of those statements offend you, then that is a YOU problem.

No matter what your religion is, or no matter if you even follow a religion, I hope your December 25th is filled with joy, happiness or at least some kick ass Chinese Food.


A few years ago, I suggested we celebrate the birth of Rickey Henderson on December 25th. It's a great event that people of all faiths can agree on.

I stand by that.

Have a wonderful day.
I know I will.

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."

POST SEASON MVPS WHO BEGAN THE SEASON WITH A DIFFERENT TEAM

When Cody Ross broke camp with the Florida Marlins this spring, I think it is a safe bet to make that he DIDN’T think he was going to become a folk hero for the Giants in 2010.

I would say he is one of the great mid season waiver wire pick ups of all time (the greatest STILL being Grover Cleveland Alexander in 1926… who the Cardinals picked up from the Cubs and he clinched the World Series that year.)

So it got me thinking… who else has won a post season MVP in a season where they started with another team?

And because I am a lunatic, I am going to try and list them all.

POST SEASON MVPS WHO BEGAN THE SEASON WITH A DIFFERENT TEAM

DONN CLENDENON
New York Mets
1969 World Series MVP

Acquired in trade with Montreal Expos
for Bill Carden, Dave Colon, Kevin Collin and Steve Renko




RICKEY HENDERSON
Oakland A’s
1989 ALCS MVP

Acquired in trade with New York Yankees
for Greg Cadaret, Eric Plunk and Luis Polonia.


MIKE DEVEREAUX
Atlanta Braves
1995 NLCS MVP

Acquired in trade with Chicago White Sox
for Andre King



DAVID JUSTICE
New York Yankees
2000 ALCS MVP

Acquired in trade with Cleveland Indians
for Zach Day, Ricky Ledee and Jake Westbrook



CODY ROSS
San Francisco Giants
2010 NLCS MVP

Claimed off of waivers from Florida Marlins.

Each of those GMs for those teams probably crowed big time when their pick ups got some hardware in October.

I wonder if any will be added to this list at the end of the World Series.

(Did someone say Cliff Lee?)