Dave Henderson, Who Hit Memorable Home Run For Red Sox, Dies At Age 57

Dave Henderson, who hit one of the most memorable home runs in Boston Red Sox history, died Sunday at age 57.

It is a very sad day for Baseball as we mourn writer Joe Strauss, longtime outfielder Dave Henderson and former Braves coach Bobby Dews.

— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) December 27, 2015

Dave Henderson, the gregarious man known as Hendu, died Sunday, one month after getting a kidney transplant. He will be tremendously missed.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 27, 2015

Hendu died early this morning, according to friends and family. He was 57

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 27, 2015

Dave Henderson, who had a kidney disease and had recent kidney transplant, sadly died of cardiac arrest. Great, great man

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 27, 2015

Henderson spent 14 seasons split between five organizations (Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, Oakland Athletics, Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants). He slugged 197 home runs in 1,538 career regular-season games and earned an All-Star selection with the A’s in 1991.

The man known as “Hendu” will be remembered as much for his infectious personality as his on-field accomplishments. Red Sox fans certainly won’t forget Henderson’s two-out, two-strike, two-run homer in the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 1986 ALCS. It kept Boston’s season alive and opened the door for the Red Sox to defeat the California Angels in seven games to advance to the World Series.