In this age of ESPN hyperbole, the term “immortal” has been tossed about and watered down. Yes there are immortals out there, but not as many as the media leads you to believe. Now if you look down the list it’s hard to find more than a couple to be considered immortals in the baseball world. Barry Bonds is an immortal. Alex Rodriguez will be if he doesn’t get hurt. Derek Jeter...great player, but the numbers will not be there to put him among the baseball gods. Keep looking on the list and you will eventually find a name playing in the Atlantic League that must be included with the all-time greats. That name is Rickey Henderson.

Henderson’s records speak for themselves. The former Red Sox holds the all-time marks in games played, at-bats, runs scored and stolen bases. Rickey was just passed by Barry Bonds for walks, but Henderson's base on balls mark is not filled with intentional passes. He has 3055 hits for his career and is behind only Pete Rose and Ty Cobb for times on base. He will be a first ballot Hall of Famer.

At 45, Henderson is still going strong while playing for the Newark Bears. He is playing not only for a another crack at the big leagues, but for pure love of the game. This season Henderson is hitting .260 with 6 homers, 17 RBIs and 20 stolen bases and also has a sparkling .427 on base percentage. It’s a privilege to sit down for a few minutes with Rickey and have him answer a few questions for MOFO Sports.

MOFO Sports: What is the biggest difference in the way the game today compared to when you started?

Rickey Henderson: Fundamentals There were probably more fundamentals. There were little things in the game that are missing today. That’s probably the difference (today) compared to when I started.

MS: How long do you plan on playing?

RH: I don’t know. I don’t have a timetable for that.

MS: In your 25 years in this game you have numerous records and accolades in your Hall of Fame career. What keeps you motivated after all these years?

RH: The gifts that I have. The gifts and desire to play baseball. That is what I set my life around coming out of high school and I still have the love for the game. I just don’t think that is my time to quit. A lot of times players don’t know when their time is up. It seems that it is not my time because I can play the game.

MS: Of all your records which one is the most special to you?

RH: The runs scored record is probably the most special.

MS: As a base stealer, what is going through you mind when you are on first or second looking to steal a base?

RH: It varies. Different pitchers have different motions and I try to pick out something while they are delivering the ball to the plate. What’s going through my mind is how good of a jump I will get.

MS: Has any major league team contacted you to play this year?

RH: We have had some clubs that are interested but are waiting to see what is going on. And to see how I play; what I do and how healthy I will be. Other than that there is nothing really definite right now.

MS: You are concentrating on base stealing and utilizing your speed this year. Are you making a concerted effort to drive the ball less and run more?

RH: Power never really was my game. You hear that they may want to see you run more and what you are capable of doing the best. I thought maybe that I was not giving them the stolen bases like they were looking for. I hit .400 here for 2 1/2 months last year and didn’t get the opportunity to get called up until I started going bad and not hitting the ball well. Then somebody got hurt and I got the opportunity. So I think it’s not the average that will get me to the big leagues. I am trying to get on base and create my running game and I will see what happens.

MS: Do you view yourself as a mentor to the younger players on the Bears?

RH: I think I am a mentor to some of the younger players on the team. I think they get a lot from me. I am the type of person who is willing to give lessons on what they are doing wrong and maybe I can help them.

MS: Of all your managers, which one have you enjoyed playing for the most and why?

RH: Billy Martin. I think he let us go out and play. He got the best out of you and he motivated me more than any other manager. I think he understood me because I went out there and gave him 100 percent each and every day no matter what was wrong with me. I gave him my best.

MS: What was your relationship with Bobby Valentine?

RH: We didn’t have a relationship. He was the manager and I was a player. We didn’t build a relationship and really didn’t have the time to have one.

MS: Do you have any animosity towards the Mets after they let you go in 2000?

RH: No, I have no animosity. I have no animosity with any team. I was blessed to get the opportunity to play baseball and I feel blessed to get the opportunity. What goes on (with the teams) I have no control of.

MS: Final question. How do you think this game will remember you after you retire?

RH: I don’t really know how the game will remember me after I retire. But I hope they remember me that I love this game and I played the game with my heart.

MS: Rickey, thank you.