Dave Henderson, ALCS hero for 1986 Red Sox, dead at 57

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Dave Henderson (l.) and Rich Gedman of the Red Sox cheer after Henderson’s ninth-inning homer gave Boston a one-run lead in game five of the ALCS against the Angels on Oct. 12, 1986. Boston won 7-6 in 11 innings.

SEATTLE (AP) — Former major league outfielder Dave Henderson, who hit one of the most famous home runs in postseason history, died Sunday after suffering a massive heart attack. He was 57.

Henderson died early Sunday morning at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, according to a statement from the Mariners, one of five teams Henderson played for in his career. Henderson underwent a kidney transplant in late October.

Henderson was best known for his home run in the 1986 AL Championship Series for Boston. 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.

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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 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.

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Dave Henderson joins other members of the 1989 Oakland A’s in July 2014 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the team’s World Series title.

“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 his sons, Chase and Trent, his wife Nancy and his first wife Lori.

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Baseball – NY Daily News

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