The future Hall of Famer is back with the independent Newark Bears.

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) – Rickey Henderson is still ready to run.

“I’m one of the rare ones,” Henderson, 45, said Thursday before taking his first batting practice with the Newark Bears.

“God gave me this body, this gift, these skills to play this sport. Until He says enough,’ this is what I’m supposed to be doing.”

A quarter-century after making it to the major leagues, baseball’s career leader in runs, stolen bases and walks is back for his second stint with Newark in the independent Atlantic League.

Despite the paltry crowds and the even smaller salary, Henderson is sure it won’t be long before some big league team looking for some pop at the plate and speed on the bases will come calling – even if it’s for someone who started playing when The Village People were huge and Mork and Mindy ruled TV.

“I didn’t get no job, so I’m back here,” he said. “Gotta do it again. Gonna do it again.

“There’s nothing wrong with my body,” he said. “I can compete.”

This season is starting the same way last one did for Henderson – no contract, no invitation to a big league camp, and at least a few months in New Jersey looking better with each passing day.

He hit .339 with eight homers, 33 RBIs, 52 runs and nine steals with the Bears last season. The 10-time major league All-Star was picked as MVP of the Atlantic League All-Star game.

He played well enough to land a contract last July with the Dodgers, his ninth major league team. In 30 games, he hit .208 with two homers, five RBIs and three steals before a bone spur in his shoulder hampered him.

The home runs left him with 297 in his career – having posted so many lofty numbers, the lure of 300 career homers is looming.

Henderson said he got the shoulder cleaned out over the winter, and feels fine now, but admits the appeal of a 45-year-old player coming off a shoulder problem was limited at best.

Henderson second-guessed himself last year for hitting for average while at Newark, instead of showing he could still steal bases. This year, he promises, he’ll be taking off more often.

“I gotta show a little more running,” he said. “It might get me there quicker.”

But he might not get the chance right away. Henderson was not in manager Bill Madlock’s starting lineup for Thursday night’s season opener against the Long Island Ducks.

Madlock planned to get Henderson for one at-bat, as a pinch-hitter.

“I don’t know what kind of shape he’s in,” Madlock said. “I don’t want to hurt him the first night out. He’s in shape. As far as baseball shape, I don’t know. The only way to get your timing down is to play.”

Madlock said Henderson would pinch-hit in games through Saturday. He could start Sunday, depending on how his hitting progresses. If not, Tuesday is a more likely target, the manager said.

Henderson also won’t play the outfield for a few days until Madlock evaluates how his shoulder has healed.

If he does make it back to the majors, Henderson wouldn’t be the oldest big league player. That honor is currently held by Atlanta first baseman Julio Franco, who was born four months earlier than Henderson.

AP-ES-05-06-04 1826EDT