04/01/2002

BOSTON -- Veteran outfielder Rickey Henderson signed a major league contract with the Boston Red Sox yesterday, the day before the team opens the season against the Toronto Blue Jays.

"We met with Rickey Henderson today after the workout, at which time he signed his 2002 major league contract," Red Sox interim general manager Mike Port said. "Rickey had some questions . . . which were satisfactorily addressed."

Henderson, 43, who previously had signed a minor league contract Feb. 13, had balked at signing a major league deal.

Henderson's minor league deal contained an agreement for a $350,000, one-year contract if he was added to the major league roster.

Henderson, who hit .295 during spring training, got the 3,000th hit of his career Oct. 7 in his final at-bat of the season.

Henderson is baseball's career leader in runs (2,248), walks (2,141) and steals (1,395).

Henderson will start his 24th big-league season today.

"Opening Day is one of the most nervous type of games I've played in," said Henderson. "Each one of them there are goosebumps. When the game starts, I'm just excited because baseball has started."

-- STEVEN KRASNER