General manager Billy Beane might let Rickey Henderson retire as an Athletic, the team he broke into the majors with in 1979, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. "Certainly I'd consider that,'' Beane told The Chronicle. "Rickey up to this point has never given anyone any indication that he's ready to retire, but if he was, depending on the circumstances, that could be possible. "That's speaking as a GM and a former teammate, and someone who thinks Rickey is the greatest leadoff hitter of all time and probably the greatest Oakland A's player of all time.'' Henderson was at the Coliseum for the game Wednesday, but his agent, Jeff Borris said he hadn't talked to Beane recently about the retirement scenario. "If Billy is willing to offer it and Rickey is ready to retire, I'd be happy to negotiate a one-day contract,'' Borris told the Chronicle. "But I don't know what Rickey's sentiments are on the topic. The last time I talked to Rickey, he said he'd like to be the leadoff hitter and starting outfielder for some team in the major leagues. I don't know if he's had a change of heart.''