Wardrobe malfunction

Two weeks pass since the trade sends him from Oakland to Toronto and Rickey Henderson is not happy.

Not because of his new, star-studded team.

No, Rickey is not happy because his performance over his first nine games with the 1993 Blue Jays is not remotely close to his usual production as the major leagues’ best leadoff hitter.

The problem, at least in Henderson’s mind, is his jersey number.

Henderson is accustomed during his Hall of Fame career to wearing – and flourishing in – No. 24, not the No. 14 the Blue Jays issue him.

So far, since joining Toronto 31 years ago, Henderson – while wearing No. 14 – has only eight hits in 46 at-bats.

The dilemma for Henderson is his favorite No. 24 already is being worn in Toronto by light-hitting outfielder Turner Ward.

Ward once is an emerging prospect in the minors, first for the New York Yankees and then the Cleveland Indians.

Now, not so much.

Still, Ward has what Henderson wants and that is No. 24.

Turns out that Henderson has some options, given that his 1993 salary of $3.55 million is nearly $3.4 million more than Ward is collecting to sit on the Blue Jays’ bench.

The math here is easy both for Henderson and Ward, so 31 years ago today Henderson reportedly pays Ward $25,000 for his number with Ward gladly switching to No. 16.

Getting back No. 24, though, hardly helps the 34-year-old Henderson, who after the switch hits only .231 for the rest of the regular season.

The new number does not help Henderson much in the postseason, either, as he hits only .120 against the Chicago White Sox in the 1993 American League Championship Series and then just .227 against the Philadelphia Phillies in six World Series games.

Henderson returns to Oakland in 1994 as a free agent and promptly receives his old familiar No. 24. No charge this time.