Rick Down And Out, Henderson In

By Rob Karter
Posted Thursday, July 12, 2007

FLUSHING, N.Y. – The Mets are looking to Rickey Henderson to get some players and consistency back into the offense, after the announcement that Rick Down will no longer be the hitting coach for the New York Mets. The team, believed to be one of the better offenses in the beginning of the year in the NL, if not the best, currently sits sixth with a .268 team average.

While Down is out, it's unclear who will be the new hitting coach. While it could be Henderson, it's also possible that current first base coach Howard Johnson might take over, with Henderson becoming the first base coach. Johnson has extensive experience as a hitting coach in the minors and served as a mentor to David Wright.

Henderson, a ten-time All Star, has been a special hitting instructor this year for the team up to this point. He has career records for runs scored (2,295) and stolen bases (1,406), and has a lifetime .279 average and .401 obp.

Rickey Henderson’s best year came in 1985 when he played for the crosstown Yankees. Henderson compiled a .314 average, .419 obp, .516 slugging percentage with 146 runs scored in 143 games, while going deep 24 times. He also had 72 rbi, 99 bb, swiped 80 bases, and was caught just 10 times.

Down's tenure with the team was marked at first by explosive offense and then, starting just after the 2006 trade deadline, a sudden struggle hitting against left-handed pitchers. The offensive woes appeared to have gotten worse in 2007, with slugger Carlos Degaldo slumping the entire season and extended slumps by Carlos Beltran and David Wright.

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