In 1995, Henderson entered the free agent market once again, signing with the San Diego Padres. His time with the Padres was short-lived, as he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in August 1997. In January 1998, he returned to the Oakland Athletics, securing his position with his original team for one final season. Remarkably, at 39 years old, Henderson topped Major League Baseball with an impressive 66 stolen bases and led the American League with 118 walks.
In 1999, at the age of 40, he made a return to New York by signing with the Mets. Henderson had a standout season, exhibiting exceptional performance with a batting line of .315/.423/.466 and tallying 37 stolen bases, which played a significant role in helping the Mets advance to the National League Championship Series (NLCS). However, during the 2000 season, he fell out of favor with the team and was released in May. He subsequently concluded his playing career with the Seattle Mariners for the remainder of that season.
This narrative highlights the perseverance and remarkable longevity of Henderson’s career in Major League Baseball. Even as he advanced in age, he continued to be a formidable player, demonstrating that dedication and skill can defy the typical limits of age in professional sports. Henderson’s story serves as an inspiring reminder of the potential to succeed and excel, irrespective of the challenges of time and circumstance.