The A’s will "name their home playing surface" after former player and Baseball HOFer Rickey Henderson in a pregame ceremony Opening Day, according to Susan Slusser of the S.F. CHRONICLE. The Oakland Alameda-County Coliseum name "will not change at all." The club yesterday also announced Henderson will serve as a special assistant to club President Dave Kaval. Rickey Henderson Field will not be "part of the official building title, but will be used when referring to the playing field itself, such as when ceremonies or youth-league activities are taking playing on the field." Henderson's career "included four stints with the A’s" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 2/7). In Oakland, John Hickey notes Henderson will also be "part of the A’s marketing plan for the season." Rickey Henderson Day "will be July 25 when fans on hand for the A’s and Indians will get a white Oakland jersey with Henderson’s name and his number, 24, on the back" (EAST BAY TIMES, 2/7). Freelance writer Howard Megdal tweeted, "Athletics name Oakland Coliseum field 'Rickey Henderson Field,' or as it refers to itself in interviews, 'Rickey Henderson Field'" (TWITTER.com, 2/6).
