Remembering baseball star, broadcaster, Alki resident, generous giver Dave Henderson
(2008 photo of Dave Henderson @ West Seattle Little League Jamboree, courtesy Cami MacNamara)
Fans, friends, family, and neighbors are mourning Dave Henderson, who has died at just 57 years old. The photo above is courtesy of Cami MacNamara, one of the WSB’ers who reminded us that Mr. Henderson lived in the Alki area. His baseball career was multifaceted, spent with five Major League Baseball teams including the Mariners, for whom he worked as a broadcaster for almost a decade – 1997 through 2006 – after his career as a player concluded. He was well-known for his ever-present smile and for his generous gifts of time, expertise, and more, particularly for youth – Cami’s photo is from one of the occasions when Mr. Henderson collaborated with the West Seattle Little League – he threw out the first WSLL Jamboree pitch in 2008. He’s also in archived coverage of events including a benefit tournament at West Seattle Golf Course. Mr. Henderson’s peak career moments included what the MLB.com report on his passing describes as a “series-changing home run” in the 1986 American League Championship Series, when he belted a ninth-inning home run that saved the Boston Red Sox from elimination – they went on to beat the Angels and win the league championship. Mr. Henderson, nicknamed “Hendu,” went to the World Series with the Oakland A’s in 1988, 1989, and 1990, and to the MLB All-Star Game in 1991. According to The Seattle Times, Mr. Henderson died early today at Harborview Medical Center; he was taken there after suffering a heart attack at his West Seattle home. He is reported to have had a kidney transplant a month ago. No word yet on memorial-service plans; many are sharing condolences, including the M’s:
West Seattle holiday scene: Proposing a new Junction tree tradition
If you’ve walked past the West Seattle Junction Christmas tree in the past few days, maybe you noticed that single shiny ornament. It was placed there by Wesley and Jacqui, who shared the photos, saying they hope to inspire others to do the same next year and beyond:
We just wanted to share our new tradition of adding our personal ornament to the Junction Plaza tree. We look forward to adding our ornament as soon as the tree is lit next year and hope other West Seattleites can add their ornaments as well.
The West Seattle Junction Association arranges for the lights on the tree and the smaller trees in the park, as part of Hometown Holidays, which WSB co-sponsored again this year. We’ll make a note to get the ornament idea into next year’s holiday coverage; the tree is usually lit on the first Saturday night in December (here’s our coverage from this year)!
West Seattle Crime Watch update: Gus the dog found after theft of car he was in
1:16 PM: That’s Gus, and he’s in West Seattle Crime Watch as well as on the Lost/Found Pets page because we’ve received a reader report that he was inside a car stolen near The Junction this morning. The car is a 2003 silver Infiniti FX 35, license plate ALL9711. Gus is half Pomeranian, half Brussels Griffon. Please call John or Laura if you find him – 206.935.3525 or 206.948.8540. And call 911 if you see the car.
2:19 PM: Per commenters, Gus has been spotted in the Fairmount Park/Fairmount Springs area.
3:40 PM UPDATE: Found!
SUNDAY EVENING P.S. Happy-ending photo, forwarded by John and Laura’s friend Madeleine, who sent the original info about the theft.
John also e-mailed us to thank WSB readers: “Thanks to the Blog we found him. It worked like an Amber Alert. His first sighting was near the Morgan Junction, and I finally found him near Admiral and 50th Ave SW.”
West Seattle weather: A little bit of Sunday snow
11:56 AM: It’s not in the forecast, but a bit of snow is mixed with the rain falling in West Seattle right now – at least if you’re in the upper elevations.
We’ve heard from Sunrise Heights (above) and High Point so far, and we’re seeing it in Upper Fauntleroy.
12:05 PM: Also hearing from Arbor Heights and Fairmount. And it’s snowier here right now – but still too warm to stick.
12:18 PM: Vanessa in Highland Park comments that “it’s starting to stick in the yard.”
12:48 PM: Commenters also have seen a bit of snow at the lower elevations, in Admiral, Alki, Morgan. Back to light rain right now. But if you want to see more snow, you could take the Fauntleroy ferry over to Southworth – it’s definitely sticking in Kitsap County, according to photos/video on Twitter.
NEW YEAR’S 2016: West Seattle Polar Bear Swim at Alki Beach is on!
(2015 Polar Bear Swim photo by Craig Young)
For everyone who’s been asking: Organizer Mark Ufkes confirmed this morning that the annual New Year’s Day West Seattle Polar Bear Swim at Alki Beach is on:
10 am January 1, 2016 in front of Duke’s on Alki. We line up along the beach, hold hands, and after a short count down, we all run into the water. Last year, more than 500 participated. We go into the water at 10 am sharp after the count down, so get there a little early. Bring water shoes, towel, change of clothes and your hopes and dreams for 2016. Duke’s clam chowder is generously provided by Duke and his crew. This is a great way to wash away the complexities of 2015 and welcome the unlimited possibilities of 2016.
Here’s our coverage from last year.
What’s up for your final West Seattle Sunday of 2015
(Cooper’s Hawk, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
Some of what you can check out today – from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY SOCCER: Yes, there’s a pickup game! 7:30 am at Delridge Playfield, per the WSSS FB page. (4458 Delridge Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE ULTIMATE FAMILY FRISBEE: There’s Ultimate today too! 10 am at Walt Hundley Playfield, per the WSUFF FB page. (6920 34th SW)
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, with live music today by Tinker’s Dram. (California SW between SW Oregon & SW Alaska)
LEGO MANIA! At Southwest Library, for ages 5-12, 2-3:30 pm – details in our listing. (35th SW & SW Henderson)
MICHAL, LIVE: Singer/songwriter Michal performs at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)
‘WONDERFUL LIFE,’ LAST CHANCE: 3 pm at ArtsWest, it’s the final performance of “Wonderful Life” – tickets available online. (4711 California SW)
Also:
HOLIDAY CHURCH SERVICES: Several special post-Christmas/pre-New Year services today – see the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.
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