MLB postseason hero Dave Henderson dies at 57

Dave Henderson, who etched his name into postseason lore with multiple teams and blossomed into an All-Star in the latter part of a 14-year career, died Sunday at the age of 57.

Henderson underwent a kidney transplant last month and went into cardiac arrest before passing away Sunday.

"The A's are saddened to hear of the passing of Dave Henderson," the Oakland Athletics said in a statement. "Henderson was an instrumental part of the A's 1989 World Series Championship club and an even more impactful member of the A's family and community. Hendu and his smile will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his family."

It was with the A's that Henderson achieved his greatest fame, helping them to the 1989 World Series title and earning All-Star honors for the first time in 1991, at age 31. At 6-2 and 210 pounds, he played an able center field while averaging 24 home runs a season from 1988-91, during which Oakland won three American League pennants and the 1989 World Series.

While his physique and power numbers were overshadowed by his "Bash Brothers" teammates Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco, Hendu's demeanor and ever-present smile endeared him to fans.

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In 1986, as a member of the Boston Red Sox, he famously hit a two-out, game-tying home run off California Angels reliever Donnie Moore as the Angels were one strike from their first World Series berth. The Red Sox won Game 5 in extra innings and completed a comeback from a 3-1 ALCS deficit to win the pennant.

Henderson was a respected broadcaster with the Seattle Mariners, his original team, after he retired from baseball following the 1994 season.

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