An All-American in baseball and football at Dos Palos High School, “Hendu” became famous for his timely power hitting in Major League Baseball’s postseason and for being a member of the 1989 World Series champion Oakland A’s, who swept the San Francisco Giants.

​Seattle drafted Henderson in the first round in 1977, and the 6′-2″, 210-pounder reached the majors four seasons later with the Mariners. Noted for both his bat and his glove, he led American League center fielders with double plays turned in 1982 and ’84.

​Henderson moved into the national spotlight after a 1986 trade sent him to Boston. In Game 5 of the ALCS, his home run gave the Red Sox the lead and his sacrifice fly in the 11th inning gave them the victory over the California Angels. In the World Series, the Red Sox fell to the New York Mets, but Henderson hit .400 with two home runs, his second providing the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th inning of Game 6.

​The 1988 season with the A’s was Henderson’s best, as he set career highs in batting average (.304), runs (100), slugging percentage (.525) and doubles (38), with 24 home runs. He was an American League All-Star in 1991, the season he reached his career high in home runs with 25, including three in one game.

​Henderson’s stats in eight postseason series illustrate his ability to produce under pressure: .298 BA, 7 HR, 20 RBI, 24 runs and a .570 slugging percentage in 36 games.

Henderson’s career numbers over 14 big-league seasons included 197 HR, 708 RBI, 710 runs, 286 doubles, 50 stolen bases and a .258 BA.

​Following his playing days, a career cut short by a serious knee injury, Henderson became a commentator on Mariners radio broadcasts and operated baseball fantasy camps.