Former Oakland Athletic and Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Rickey Henderson waves to fans after a ceremony dedicating Rickey Henderson Field prior to the baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Monday, April 3, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

by Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–Opening night for the 2017 season was so special at the Oakland Coliseum. A’s radio broadcaster, Ken Korach, started the festivities with a tribute to the late Bill King. King, who started broadcasting A’s games on radio in 1981 won the Ford C. Frick Award and will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York on July 30th, 2017.

Korach then announced that the Oakland A’s will name the field at the Oakland Coliseum “Rickey Henderson Field.” “Rockey Henderson is the greatest Athletic of all time. It is fitting we honor an” recognize his impact on our franchise by naming our playing field after him.’ At the press conference, Rickey said “it’s a great honor. I had no idea that this chance would ever come. It’s a special moment.” Rickey also commented on the pictures of the former great Athletic players that are now all over the stadium: “I thought they should have done this a long time ago.” Rickey said that the “stadium means a whole lot.” I got the opportunity to play on the field. And was successful and brought fans into the stadium. Oakland was always in my heart.” Team president Dave Kaval concluded by saying “we should honor our past more. The least we can do is honor such an amazing person.”

The A’s continued the Opening Night celebration as Joshua Henry, who plays Aaron Burr in “Hamilton.” sang the National Anthem.  The cast of  Hamilton is singing “God Bless America” in the bottom of the seventh inning.