NEW YORK -- Rickey Henderson will try to revive his Hall of Fame career with a visit to the lowest level of the minor leagues.

The 44-year-old Henderson signed with the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League on Wednesday, hoping it will help him attract interest from the majors sometime during the season.

"Obviously, he hasn't had enough," New York Yankees manager Joe Torre said after Wednesday night's 9-2 win over Anaheim. "He obviously doesn't want to say goodbye. But that's his choice, anyway. I don't think anybody else should tell him when to quit."

Henderson is the big league record holder in runs scored, stolen bases and walks. His ascent to stardom took him through New Jersey a quarter-century ago, when he played for Jersey City in Oakland's farm system in 1978.

Henderson spent last season with the Boston Red Sox. Widely considered the greatest leadoff man ever, he hit .223 with five home runs and 16 RBI in 72 games.

"He's obviously slowed down, but he can still get it going, and he knows how to play," Torre said.

"He's headed for the Hall of Fame, he's been on winners and he's done all these things. But it's nice to see he still has the enthusiasm to do this stuff. I know one thing -- he'll draw some people. I'm happy for the fans."

Unable to find a job in the majors during the offseason, he decided to put on a new jersey in New Jersey and narrowed his choice to three teams in the Atlantic League: Newark, Camden and Somerset.

"He wants scouts to see that he can still make a contribution," said his agent, Jeff Borris.

"He was anxious to get start playing as soon as possible and the Atlantic League begins on May 1, earliest among the independent leagues,'' he said. ``He picked Newark because he thought the Bears had the highest visibility.''

Newark has had its share of big-name players, including Jose Canseco in 2001. League champions last season, the Bears signed former 20-game winner Jose Lima last week.

Henderson will try to join the Bears this week during their spring training in Homestead, Fla. The Bears open their season May 1 at home against Bridgeport, and the season runs through Sept. 14.

With Newark, Henderson will earn the league maximum of $3,000 per month. He played for $350,000 last season with the Red Sox.

Henderson has 3,040 hits while playing for eight major league teams. He has scored 2,288 runs, and his eight steals last year increased his total to 1,403.

Henderson also holds records for walks (2,179) and leadoff home runs (80).

There was talk during the winter that he might go back to Oakland for a fifth stint, but the Athletics were not interested.

Henderson was the 1990 AL MVP for Oakland and he won World Series championships with the A's in 1989 and the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993.