Happy Henderson Knows the Score

The Dodgers have the worst offense in the National League and Rickey Henderson is considered the best leadoff batter in baseball history, so they decided to give him a shot.

Some might view Monday’s signing of a 44-year-old future Hall of Famer as an act of desperation, especially considering Henderson couldn’t get a job outside of the independent Atlantic League.

But the Dodgers aren’t concerned about appearances after watching their inept offense for 93 games, figuring that’s more frustrating than chuckles from their competitors about bringing in Henderson. They also acquired outfielder Jeromy Burnitz from the New York Mets.

The Dodgers are trying to salvage their season and Henderson missed the major leagues, bringing them together for better or worse.

“I’m just glad to be back in the big leagues,” Henderson said Tuesday in a conference call with reporters. “I’m happy that the Dodgers gave me this opportunity to continue playing baseball.

“We haven’t discussed what my role is going to be on the team right now, I’m just really happy to be on the team. Whatever role they want me to play, I’m going to go out and play to help this ballclub win.”

Henderson figures to be busy.

The Dodgers have had a hole at the top of the batting order with center fielder Dave Roberts slowed much of the season because of hamstring problems, and getting on base is among many things at which Henderson has excelled in 25 seasons in the big leagues.

Henderson, expected to play left field, will audition for the leadoff role while Roberts begins the second half on the disabled list. Manager Jim Tracy has said he’s open to anything that improves the team’s production, and Henderson knows about scoring runs.

The major leagues’ all-time leader in runs (2,288), walks (2,179) and stolen bases (1,403), Henderson believes he can teach the Dodgers a thing or two.

“Scoring runs, that’s what I enjoy the most, as far as playing this game,” said Henderson, the active leader in hits with 3,040.

“The biggest thing in trying to score a run is getting guys on base. When guys get on base, the big guys behind can get a chance to drive you in. ...

“That guy gets a sharp base hit, and you’ve got to be able to get your jump to score a run. I think that’s what I can bring to the ballclub, showing ‘em how to score runs. If I’m in scoring position, 90% of the time I’m going to score.”

In the last two seasons, however, Henderson hit .227 in 379 at-bats with San Diego and .223 in 179 with Boston. He was thriving in the Atlantic League, comparable to the double-A level, for the Newark Bears, batting .339 and leading the league with 52 runs in 56 games.

Of course, even the Dodgers would presumably pummel Atlantic League pitchers. Still, Henderson thought his services would have been required sooner in the majors.

“Was I surprised that it took this long? Yeah, I was surprised,” said the 10-time All-Star and 1990 American League most valuable player.

“But when I got down there, [there] wasn’t a deadline. I was enjoying myself. I was having fun playing the game. I was willing to take until the end of the season.

“I don’t know how much longer I want to play, I know it’s coming to the end. But I always felt this day would come when you work hard and play the game right.”