Rickey Catches Up to Cobb

SAN DIEGO —  Rickey Henderson was hitless in three official at-bats in the San Diego Padres’ 12-5 loss to the Dodgers Wednesday night, leaving him three base hits shy of 3,000 for his career.

But after adding to his major league record for career walks, the Padres’ left fielder tied Ty Cobb’s 73-year-old record for career runs scored, coming home for the 2,245th time in his 23rd season on a third-inning Ryan Klesko double into the right-field corner.

After drawing a base on balls, his record 2,140th walk, Henderson bolted for second base when the left-handed hitting Klesko pulled an 0-and-1 Eric Gagne pitch down the first base line, past a falling Eric Karros.

Henderson, rounding second, picked up Padre third base coach Tim Flannery, who was furiously waving Henderson home as the ball was bouncing around the Padre bullpen. Henderson scored standing up.

The Qualcomm Stadium crowd of 23,138 gave Henderson standing ovations, to which Henderson responded with a pair of curtain calls, blowing kisses to the fans while Dodger pitching coach Jim Colborn paid a visit to Gagne on the mound.

Henderson, 42, who took much heat for his proclamation of being the “greatest” when he broke Lou Brock’s career stolen bases record on May 1, 1991, seemed genuinely touched by the response and bowed twice to the crowd as Phil Nevin stepped into the batter’s box.

Dodger right fielder Shawn Green went from idolizing Henderson as a youngster to becoming a short-time teammate with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993.

“He’s had an incredible career, and to be in as good a shape as he’s in his 23 years [in the big leagues] ... is incredible,” said Green, whose first major league call-up came on Sept. 24, 1993.

“I remember watching him as an 8-year-old kid when I lived in San Jose,” said Green, who was 6 when Henderson had the first hit of his career on June 24, 1979. “He was my favorite player and he still looks almost the same today as he did then, just a little stronger.”

Green, who was 0 for 6 in three games prior to the Blue Jays winning their second consecutive World Series in 1993, was in awe of Henderson.

“I was just a September call-up and I really didn’t say much,” Green said. “I remember he was working hard, hitting with every group during batting practice and I was surprised that someone as good as him was that dedicated. That was my first glimpse of a superstar who was working hard.”

Playing in his fourth decade, Henderson has played with the Oakland Athletics (on four occasions), the New York Yankees, the Blue Jays, the Padres (twice), the Angels, the New York Mets and the Seattle Mariners.

Dodger center fielder Marquis Grissom credits Henderson’s legendary regimen for his longevity.

“Best player to ever play the game, pretty much,” Grissom said. “Runs scored, walks, on-base percentage, that’s just outstanding, plus the stolen-base record, which I can’t never see broken, not in my lifetime. He’s done some remarkable things which I guess he don’t get enough credit for, for whatever reason.

“He’s been a definite idol of mine.”

Henderson, who has 1,395 career stolen bases, 457 more than runner-up Brock, has been pilloried and thought to be hanging on merely to set and extend records. Dodger left fielder Gary Sheffield said Henderson’s work ethic should be admired, and agreed with Grissom that Henderson doesn’t get the respect he deserves.

“I think because of the flashiness ... it kind of rubs people the wrong way,” said Sheffield, who was 2 for 4 with a three-run home run, his 35th of the season. “When you show a lot of confidence and trust in your ability, a lot of people don’t like that, they just want you to play the game regular.

“Every time you mention the old-day players, they always have records that you would think would never be broken. It just shows you what kind of lead-off man he is and it’s proof that he’s the best of all-time.”