MESA, Ariz. — There are certain figures who command respect in whatever room they walk into.
Dave Stewart and Rickey Henderson are in that category.
Before the A’s hit the practice fields at Fitch Park for their first full-squad workout of the spring Saturday morning, they received a special pep talk from Stewart and Henderson to get them fired up.
Stewart and Henderson spoke about the legacy and tradition of the A’s, something they know well having been part of some dominant teams in the late ’80s.
“With the championship teams of the ’70s and ’80s and then the run of the 2000 ballclubs, it was just having them understand how special that is and seeing them at the beginning of what can possibly be another long run of championship-caliber baseball,” Stewart said.