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Show r 1 HE SIGNPOST Wednesday, September 2, 2009 SPORTS Baseball <j | | h hall-of-famer OCC JfUU 4 1 I I I C ice honored at WSU Library Former Yankee, A's, player inducted into Hall of Fame By Maegan Layton correspondant I The Signpost THE SIGNl'OST Hall-of-Famer Rickey Henderson began his baseball career playing for the Ogden A's. Baseball is not something that is spoken of too much at Weber State University. However, during this fall semester, each and every student at WSU can enjoy a little bit of baseball history. Rickey Henderson, who was just inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, started his baseball career right here in Ogden. "Anyone who knows about baseball knows that Rickey is a highlight in the baseball world," said Taylor Bell, a freshman at WSU and a former Roy High School baseball player. "I think I still have his rookie year card from when I was little." Henderson was born Dec. 25, 1958 in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to Oakdale, California, with his mother when he was seven years old. As a child, Henderson played baseball, basketball and footballaiiid in high school he was a football standout and named Ail-American running back. When Henderson graduated from high school he was offered scholarships to play football but decided that baseball wash what he really loved. Prior to Henderson's major league career he played for the Triple A Ogden A's. The Ogden A's were part of the Pacific Coast League. "I remember going to watch the Ogden A's play when I was younger," said Kevin Layton, a WSU alumnus. "Henderson was always a standout player, I was really excited when he got drafted." Henderson was drafted by the Oakland A's and played for them very successfully for several years. After the A's, Henderson proceeded to play for the NewYork Yankees, and then he went back to Oakland for a few years. Henderson also played for the Toronto Blue Jays, the San Diego Padres, the NewYork Mets and the Boston Red Sox. • Henderson retired from baseball on July 17, 2007 as one of the best players to ever set foot on a baseball diamond. Some of Henderson's accomplishments include: 10 Major League All-Star Games, two Time World Series in 1989 and 1993, 1990 American League MVP, 1999 National League Comeback Player of the Year, 130 stolen bases in 1982 (the most in one season by any one player), 2,995 runs, 3,055 hits, 299 home runs and a batting average of .279. "I think that it's amazing.that he got inducted into the Hall of Fame," said James Linford, an avid baseball fan. "I feel like people with that much talent should still be recognized even after they are retired." •,WSU's Stewart Library has compiled an impressive amount of Henderson's memorabilia and it is on display at the west entrance of the Stewart Library. The display will be in the library throughout the end of the fall 2009 semester. The library has all kinds of archived pictures and memorabilia for not only baseball but for other sports and historical events. These items are available for view and use for assignments. For more information, students can contact John Sillito, University Archivist at 801-6266416. y. ", -:r •"' PHOTO BY BRYAN BUTTERFIELD I THE SIGNPOST Hockey season starting soon The Weber State University Hockey Team participates in what may be one of hockey's most popular aspects: fighting. The season begins Sept. 19 against rival Utah State University at the Weber County Ice Sheet senior forward Anton Vulkov. In spite of losses, defender Devon Benike said that the team should do well. By Jordan Wilson "We lost some of the key players that sports reporter I The Signpost had been on the team for years," said Following last year's trip to nationals, defender Devon Benike. "We lost our the Weber State University Men's Hockey Goalie of the Year, the number one goalie Team has what they hope will be an in the league, so we're going to have to exciting follow-up season starting in fill in that gap as well. It's going to be a the next couple of weeks. But one of the tough-task but we're looking forward to it. biggest obstacles the team is going to We've lost a few guys from last year, but have to overcome initially is lack of depth we ended it on a good streak making it to in the roster. The team has lost some big nationals. I think we just need to go out seniors, including their star goalie, Kyle and keep building off of that." But even with their player gaps, Coach Gober. "We're definitely going to have to pick Steve Soto said that the team's forwards up where we left off last season," said are confident in their offense, and they've got a good defense returning, including power players Benike, Tim Brownell and Reed Mayer. Soto said he is looking to that defense to "keep the goal scoring low and be real physical" this season. Another obstacle so far has been recruits, said Soto. According to the coach, about six new recruits had committed to the team in April, but some have since been unable to fulfill that commitment.. "It makes it really tough to recruit school starts," Soto said, "but it's of the club hockey game. I still plan ;3rC winning. I still expect the best arid 1&I> percent out of all my players. Evenifwe^rej short-benched a little bit, we're goiftj£ to work hard, be physical and in tf See Hockey page; Open track and field tryouts being held Wanted: New crop of track and field athletes. Workouts begin Tuesday, Sept. 8 we may have missed," said Coach Dan Walker. "We would just like to get our numbers up and see if there is any interest The Weber State University Women's in jumpers or throwers for me or runners Track and Field Team is looking for some or hurdlers for Jim." new athletes. Any interested full-time WSU female Head Coach Jim Blaisdell said he has student is encouraged to contact Blaisdell wanted to have an open tryout for a few at his office phone number at 801-394years now and this year is the perfect year 4360 (Stadium, Room 226J or his cell to do it. phone number at 801698-2026. Blaisdell said "I decided to do it "We have had he would love to talk to this year because the anyone that is interested depth on the track individuals who and he can help them and field team went walked on and figure out whether or not down," said Blaisdell. they would be eligible to "The fall is a great time ended up being tryout. Workouts start for new athletes; our very good athletes. next Tuesday at 2 p.m. conditioning period and Blaisdell will also is from September They took the be available there for through December so anyone that is interested, anyone interested has opportunity and it "Over the years we time to be part of the ended up being a have always had a few team." Blaisdell said the very good thing for girls who walk onto the team," Blaisdell said. "We track and field team them/' have had individuals who currently has 35-36 walked on and ended girls and there are over up being very good 20 events they need to - Jim Blaisdell, athletes. They took the put girls in. He doesn't opportunity and it ended track and field head coach have a set number of up being a very good athletes he would like thing for them." to add to the team but said he would like to Athletic Director Jerry talk to anyone that thinks they may be Graybeal said this is a great opportunity interested, whether it be pole vault, shot for students that don't have an interest put, long jump, sprints, hurdles, the 400 in any particular sport but are concerned meter, 800 meter, distance runners or with their overall fitness. anything else. "Some of the best players are ones Comment on this story at "We have recruited everyone we knew that were overlooked and just need an wsusignpost.com. about, and we are now looking for anyone opportunity to join a team," Graybeal By Kody Green correspondent I The Signpost FILE PHOTO I THE SIGNPOST* • * Weber State University sophomore ' - ; j ; Audrey Adams competes in a track aitd:> field meet last year. ! « ••;•*: said. "We want to make sure we give that opportunity." >T; In 1986, WSU student Michelle Greek won 1st place in the Big Sky Conference* See Track and Field |