'Caged tiger' Gunnar is perhaps the sport's most humble superstar

This story was originally published on Monday, July 15, 2024, just prior to Gunnar Henderson's debut in the T-Mobile Home Run Derby and All-Star Game.

BALTIMORE -- Over the course of the long MLB season, Gunnar Henderson spends a good bit of time seated at his locker in the Orioles’ clubhouse, both before and after games. Plenty of conversations are had there, too.

Henderson could be talking with locker neighbor Colton Cowser about their recent Lego purchases. Or he’ll chit-chat with reporters and broadcasters about a wide range of topics, spanning his home life in Selma, Ala. -- where not too long ago he had a day named in his honor -- to adventures with his dog, Chief, a German Wirehaired Pointer.

No oncomers get turned away by Henderson, who gives any (and every) question or comment sent his way the same type of courteous, polite response and careful attention.

“That’s just the manners my parents have instilled in me. Just always respect everyone, no matter who it is,” Henderson said. “I feel like that’s something that I’ve tried to incorporate in my everyday life, and I know a lot of people up here get mad at me for saying, ‘Yes, sir. No, sir. Yes, ma’am. No, ma’am.’ That’s just something we do down there.”

Turn the cameras and recorders off. Wait until nobody is watching. Henderson won’t change, with various sources available to vouch for that.

An increased national spotlight isn’t inflating Henderson’s ego or turning him cocky -- and it isn’t going to.

He was a first-time All-Star heading to the 2024 Midsummer Classic at Globe Life Field in Arlington with four of his O’s teammates -- catcher Adley Rutschman, third baseman Jordan Westburg, outfielder Anthony Santander and AL starting pitcher Corbin Burnes.

He was also one of eight participants in the T-Mobile Home Run Derby.

He’s also the budding face of the franchise in Baltimore, where fans are falling in love with perhaps the humblest, most dedicated superstar in the sport -- or maybe in all of sports.

“No question: He’s a phenomenal human being,” said former Orioles Minor League coach Kyle Moore, who managed Henderson at High-A Aberdeen in 2021, then at Double-A Bowie in ‘22. “When you talk about his humility, it’s a genuine humility. He also is the hardest working person in the clubhouse. It’s not a fake try-hard, false hustle. It’s real. That’s really who he is.”

Before Henderson became an All-Star -- and prior to his 2022 MLB debut and his ‘23 American League Rookie of the Year campaign -- he was a standout performer in Baltimore’s Minor League ranks. A second-round Draft pick taken No. 42 overall in ‘19, Henderson could have been selected by any of MLB’s 29 other teams. Instead, the O’s landed the toolsy 6-foot-3 shortstop whose work ethic has never allowed him to fail.

When games get underway, Henderson kicks his effort into a higher gear.

“Man, he was like a caged tiger at times,” Moore said.

Henderson’s playing style can turn aggressive. His personality, however, does not.

“Every level he’s ever gone to, he’s figured out how to dominate that level. He’s doing it again. And he’s a great kid. That’s the other thing, is he’s a superstar on the field and he’s a great kid off the field,” said Triple-A Norfolk manager Buck Britton, who coached Henderson in the Minors and was his Home Run Derby pitcher. “It’s a testament to his upbringing. This is a genuine human being.”

Go back to Henderson’s high school days at John T. Morgan Academy. Same story.

“You couldn’t find anyone in high school that would speak negatively of Gunnar, because he treated everyone the same,” said Stephen Clements, Henderson’s former high school coach.

In the spring of 2019, Henderson was a senior attracting dozens of MLB scouts at a time to his team’s games. They often talked with Clements and wanted to hear all of the pros and cons about Henderson, both as a baseball player and as a person.

Clements couldn’t think of any character flaws. He assured the scouts none existed. And a few times -- to prove he wasn’t being biased -- he’d send them to talk to the school custodian, a more neutral third party who could attest to Henderson’s personality.

“He said, ‘Look, if he’s walking down the hall and there’s trash on the floor, he’ll help me pick it up. Or if I’m toting something that’s heavy, he’s going to get it from me,’” Clements said. “He was just that kind of person on the field and off the field.”

During All-Star Week, Henderson was set to have more attention on him than anytime before. A five-year professional journey culminating at one of baseball’s premier stages.

Ask Henderson how he made it from a small town in Alabama to here and his answer shouldn’t surprise anyone. In his mind, the primary reason isn’t because of his skills or his work.

It’s mostly because of one of his biggest supporters/longtime coaches -- his dad, Allen.

“I just can’t thank my dad enough for sacrificing however many years it was of just helping me out,” Henderson said. “It seems like I’ve been out of high school forever. It definitely goes to show when they say it flies by, because it feels like forever ago, but it’s not that long ago.

“I’ve enjoyed the process that I’ve gone through so far, but looking forward to the years to come.”