Henderson ties Ty Cobb's run record

SAN DIEGO (AP) _ Rickey and Ty are tied. <br><br>Rickey Henderson matched Ty Cobb's 73-year-old major league record of 2,245 runs when he raced all the way around from first base on Ryan Klesko's

Thursday, October 4th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

SAN DIEGO (AP) _ Rickey and Ty are tied.

Rickey Henderson matched Ty Cobb's 73-year-old major league record of 2,245 runs when he raced all the way around from first base on Ryan Klesko's third-inning double Wednesday night.

It did little good for the San Diego Padres, though, as they were routed 12-5 by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Henderson wasn't in a celebratory mood afterward, mainly because of the loss, but also because he'll consider it a bigger accomplishment once he owns the record outright.

``I got excited when I crossed the plate,'' Henderson said. ``There was a joy, a happiness that you have tied the guy that you probably knew about since the first day you stepped into this game. Anybody who goes for a record, it's a great feeling, but we always want to come out with a win.''

In the third, Kevin Witt and Henderson walked off Eric Gagne with none out, and Klesko's hit to right field closed the Padres to 5-2.

``When he hit the ball down the line, I felt I had a good chance,'' Henderson said. ``I just needed to get around the bases and try to get to third, and Flan would give me the signal to go home,'' he said, referring to third base coach Tim Flannery.

Henderson got a standing ovation from the crowd and was greeted by his teammates in front of the dugout. He then answered two curtain calls. He took off his batting helmet the first time, then came back out, bowed to the fans and then blew them kisses.

Cobb's record has stood since he retired in 1928.

Henderson failed to score in his previous four games. Henderson has said that he wants to slide across the plate when he gets run No. 2,246.

Henderson, in his 23rd season, still needs three hits to become the 25th player to reach 3,000. He'd been saying that he wouldn't play Sunday even if he's still short of the milestones because it's the final game in Tony Gwynn's 20-year career. But Henderson said Gwynn told him Wednesday that if he's close, he should play Sunday.

Klesko said he's going to save the bat he doubled with.

``It's nice to do something like that,'' Klesko said. ``Obviously, it's his deal to accomplish, but it's nice to hit the one that tied Ty Cobb. It's something I can tell my kids.''

Henderson got another ovation when he came out in a double-switch in the eighth inning. He finished 0-for-3 with a walk.

``When you start talking about the likes of Ty Cobb, you've really accomplished something,'' Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said. ``He's just a great ballplayer.''

Gagne said he wanted to keep Henderson off the bases. ``But he's such a great player, he's got his own way of doing it.''

It's the second major record Henderson has reached this year. On April 25, he became the career walks leader with 2,063, breaking Babe Ruth's record. He's since pushed that record to 2,140.

``If you're playing the game right, playing the game hard, you get in the class of some of those great ballplayers,'' Henderson said.

Henderson has been baseball's stolen base king since May 1, 1991, when he broke Lou Brock's record with steal No. 939. He currently has 1,395, including a team-high 25 this year.