Montreal Expos' Tim Raines Wasn't Rickey Henderson's Biggest Fan

Harold FriendJun 7, 2018

Tim Raines wasn't Rickey Henderson's biggest fan. The truth is, Raines didn't like Henderson.

Rickey Henderson became a New York Yankee in 1985. The hyperbole surrounding the new Yankee upset Raines, who many years later would become a Yankee and help them win the 1996 World Series.

Baseball writer Marty York approached Raines during spring training in 1985. Raines lost his smile when Henderson's name was mentioned.

Yogi Berra, once again the Yankees manager, called Henderson the best base stealer in baseball history. As usual, time proved Yogi right, but at the time Henderson and Raines were only 25 years old.

Raines reacted negatively to Yogi's claim.

"That's horsewash. I know I'm the best. What I don't know is whether many people realize it."

One solid point that Raines made was that he was underrated because Henderson received so much publicity. Then he took off the gloves. He knocked Henderson implicitly when he said "...I think of myself as a team man."

He continued.

''When Henderson set the major-league record [by stealing 130 bases in 1982], his team [the Oakland A's] came in fifth or sixth. All he was concerned about was stealing bases for himself. It was an individual approach. If I wanted to be an individual player, I think I could steal more than 130 bases this year. But that's not the way I work."

Leaving the topic of Rickey Henderson, Raines predicted that his Montreal Expos would become more popular than the Toronto Blue Jays and establish themselves as Canada's team.

Upset that the Expos sent catcher Gary Carter to the New York Mets, Raines said he couldn't wait to attempt to steal against Carter and the Mets.

Raines believed that the Expos got the better of the Carter trade when they received catcher Mike Fitzgerald, outfielder Herm Winningham and shortstop Hubie Brooks, but he was still upset because he knew the grapes were sour.

''You'll see," said Raines. "We'll be better off without Gary. The new guys are going to strengthen us."

If Tim Raines recommends that you buy more shares of a stock you already own, sell it.

In 1985, the Expos finished 13.5 games behind the second place Mets. Raines batted .320/.405/.475 with 70 steals. He was caught a mere nine times.

Henderson batted .314/.419/.516 with 80 stolen bases in 90 attempts. Close, but a slight edge to Rickey.

Carter hit .281/.365/.488 with 32 home runs. Brooks batted .269/.310/.413 with 13 home runs.

In 1986, the Mets won the World Series, led by Carter and Keith Hernandez. The Expos, despite the fact that Raines won the batting title, finished 29.5 games behind the Mets.

Henderson's Yankees finished second—five-and-a-half games behind the Boston Red Sox. Rickey batted only .263, but managed to steal 87 bases. Raines batted .334, again stealing 70 bases and being caught only nine times.

Raines finished his career with 808 steals; Henderson finished with 1,406. Raines was great, but he was no Rickey Henderson.