San Francisco Giants

Dave Henderson, former member of A's, Red Sox, more, dies at 57

Published Dec. 27, 2015 2:29 p.m. ET

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Former MLB great Dave Henderson has died at 57, suffering a massive heart attack about two months after receiving a kidney transplant.

Henderson, who split his 14-year MLB career with the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals, was remembered by the A's on Sunday via their Twitter page:

The A's mourn the passing of our dear friend Dave Henderson. We'll miss the person, the player, that smile.#RIPHendu pic.twitter.com/DDwyLXySTp
— Oakland Athletics (@Athletics) December 27, 2015

"Hendu," as he was affectionately known by fans and teammates alike, was a postseason hero for the Red Sox in their 1986 World Series run and spent several years as a member of the Mariners' radio/TV broadcasts in recent years.

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle caught up with a few of Henderson's A's teammates, who had only the best to say about their former comrade. Terry Steinbach, A's catcher during their great late-1980s run, had this to say about Hendu:

“The thing that stood out was his attitude,” Steinbach said. “There wasn’t a stadium we went to where he didn’t have the center field fans going crazy. He really had respect and appreciation for the game. People talk about all the big hits and the World Series, but to me, it was that great attitude he brought every day. He would instantly pick you up, put you in the right frame of mind, get you going.”

Curt Young, former pitcher and the A's current pitching coach, spoke about Henderson's role on the 1988 A's club:

“He was definitely one of the leaders of our team. Hendu could talk the talk and walk the walk; he was never afraid of any moment, obviously, with what he did in big games.”

“He enjoyed it all. He enjoyed playing the game, he enjoyed golf, he enjoyed his family. Whatever he was going to do, he was going to have as much fun as he could possibly have. What a neat guy.”

Henderson was best known for his home run in the 1986 AL Championship Series. With the Red Sox one strike from elimination in Game 5, Henderson hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth against the California Angels to send the series back to Boston. The Red Sox won Games 6 and 7 to advance to the World Series.

But beyond his memorable playoff moment, Henderson was a reliable contributor to four teams that reached the World Series and played 14 seasons total in the majors. His greatest success came from 1988-91 with Oakland. During that four-year stretch, the A's went to the World Series three times.

Henderson played in 575 regular-season games during that span, hitting .275 with 84 homers, 123 doubles and 322 RBIs. Henderson was an All-Star in 1991.

"Henderson was an instrumental part of the A's 1989 World Series championship club and an even more impactful member of the A's family and community," the A's said in a statement. "Hendu and his smile will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his family."

Henderson began his career in Seattle as the first draft pick in the history of the Mariners franchise in 1977. He made his debut in 1981 and played parts of six seasons with the Mariners. Henderson was traded to Boston during the 1986 season and later played for San Francisco and Kansas City.

"He was a devoted father to his two sons and always willing to help someone in need," Mariners President Kevin Mather said in a statement. "Dave was one of the most popular Mariners in our history, but Dave was also one of the most popular players in Red Sox and A's history. He had a special ability to connect with people, both inside the game and in the communities in which he lived. I never saw him at the ballpark, or on the golf course, without a big smile on his face."

After his playing career ended, Henderson spent time as a broadcaster for the Mariners and ran fantasy camps for A's and Mariners fans. He also raised funds to support research of Angelman Syndrome, a genetic disorder that affected his son Chase.

Henderson was born July 21, 1958, in Merced, California. He is survived by sons Chase and Trent, wife Nancy and his first wife, Lori.