Ricky Henderson and Jim Rice elected to the Hall of Fame, Ricky's exit from baseball seems to have been forgotten.

One thing about Ricky Henderson that was not revisited prior to the 2009 Hall of Fame voting was the allegation that Ricky went to the Mets clubhouse during a playoff game to play cards with a teammate. It may have been Ricky's final year in the league, but it sure seemed to leave a sour taste for news writers and fans alike. Apparently Ricky had been used as a pinch hitter or pinch runner and once his participation had ended, rather than stay on the bench and observe and support his teammates, Rickey went to the clubhouse and played cards. Kind of a weird thing for a vet to do, actually.

But I think we can see what fives year of just laying low can bring, nothing but accolades and even curiosity over the 28 voters who did not vote for Ricky Henderson. Maybe those 28 remembered Ricky's not so classy exit from the game and just wanted to make sure he didn't get in via a unanimous vote. Obviously, what Ricky Henderson did in his final few games in the playoffs can't undo a lifetime of baseball achievement that included the record for lead off home runs and the ability to steal a base well into his forties. Neither can anyone forget Ricky repeatedly coming back to get just one more shot in the majors even when it meant starting out in the minors or lower to get back!

Congrats, Ricky Henderson. Jim Rice made it in his final chance before having to be voted in by the veteran hall of fame committee. Jim Rice was just dominant enough for just long enough to make squeeze in. Once a Hall of Famer, always a Hall of Famer. Congrats Jim Rice.