Joe Henderson (scout)

Joseph William Henderson

• Born 1925

Biographical Information

Joe Henderson was a scout with the San Francisco Giants, Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners and the San Diego Padres. Joe was a mentor to many including his three sons that all played professional baseball, major league outfielder Ken Henderson, Robbie Henderson, and Joe Henderson Jr. as well as grandson Kenny Henderson Jr.. Joe's granddaughter, Heather Henderson, also followed in this baseball family path as she is working for the Las Vegas Aviators as a Manager of Marketing and Social Media (https://www.milb.com/las-vegas/about/front-office). Joe's grandson Casey played shortstop at Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego and also pitched. He went to UCRiverside, Palomar College, and Chico State in college and played shortstop. Casey was a smooth fielding shortstop.

Joe was the proud Grandfather of 7 grand kids Virginia, Kenny, Stephanie, Zachery, Heather, Britney, and Casey.

Joe served in the Navy during World War II and the Korean War. While in the Navy he received two Air medals. Joe had an opportunity to sign with the Boston Red Sox, he was a center fielder/pitcher but he decided to stay in the Navy to serve his country. In baseball he was a talent evaluator, he taught all 3 sons to switch hit, while growing up encouraging them to play other sports too. Of course his son Ken, played in the major leagues at the age of 18, less than a year after graduating high school.

Joe received his first opportunity to scout under George Genovese with the San Francisco Giants in the San Diego, CA area and proceeded to help them sign Gary Thomasson, John D'Acquisto and Matt Nokes amongst others. In 1984, Joe, while working for Detroit Tigers for Bill Lajoie, received a World Series ring when the Tigers won the World Series. Joe then went to work for the Seattle Mariners, working for Roger Jongewaard and Woody Woodward as a cross checker of players through out the United States. He saw all the top players filed reports, Ken Griffey Jr. was one, plus many others, Joe later went to work for the San Diego Padres for Reggie Waller and Joe McIlvaine in a similar capacity. Joe didn't need a radar gun or a stopwatch to tell him how fast somebody ran or how hard they were throwing. He knew it with his eyes. Though they all had to use that technology.

Joe’s contributions to the game were many. It started with youth baseball where he helped build fields and batting cages etc. so kids would have a place to play. Those who wanted wisdom and help, whether it was a young player, prospect or a signed player, he was always there for them. It didn’t change when others wanted to enter into scouting either. He would spend countless hours for those who wanted to learn or enter the game as a scout. Joe started two prominent scouts as both had experience in the minor leagues playing, Craig Weissmann and Logan White. Craig and Logan have had long distinguish careers in baseball, as talent evaluators, and key contributors to there organizations in different positions.

The Henderson/Genovese tree continues!

Related Sites

• Pro Baseball Scouting page