Dave Henderson dies at age 57

[December 28, 2015]  Former All-Star outfielder Dave Henderson, who played 14 seasons in the major leagues and hit one of the most famous home runs in postseason history, died in Seattle on Sunday following a massive heart attack. He was 57 years old.

Henderson, known as "Hendu," passed away at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. He underwent a kidney transplant on Oct. 26. Henderson is survived by his sons, Chase and Trent, and his wife Nancy.

Henderson played in the majors with the Seattle Mariners (1981-86), Boston Red Sox (1986-87), San Francisco Giants (1987), Oakland Athletics (1988-93) and Kansas City Royals (1994).

In 1986, Henderson hit a ninth-inning, two-out, two-strike home run that lifted the Red Sox to a Game 5 victory over the Angels in the American League Championship Series to help send the series back to Boston for Game 6. The Red Sox won the next two games and advanced to the World Series.

Henderson played on Oakland's last championship team in 1989 when the A's swept the Giants to win the World Series.

"On behalf of the Seattle Mariners, I want to extend our deepest sympathies to Chase and Trent and Nancy and to Dave's many friends," Mariners president Kevin Mather said in a statement. "He was a devoted father to his two sons and always willing to help someone in need.

"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."

Henderson's career included four trips to the postseason with Boston (1986) and Oakland (1988, 1989, 1990), with all four of his playoff years culminating in World Series appearances.

"The A's are saddened to hear of the passing of Dave Henderson," the Athletics said in a statement. "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. Hendu and his smile will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his family."

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