This story was excerpted from Mart¨ªn Gallegos¡¯ A¡¯s Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

MESA, Ariz. -- As a leader of the A¡¯s ¡®New Oakland¡¯ youth movement, Lawrence Butler makes it a point to pay homage to those who came before him, especially those with Hall of Fame credentials.

So when Rickey Henderson made a guest appearance in A¡¯s camp to impart some wisdom earlier this spring, Butler was one of the many young players who flocked towards the legendary speedster looking to soak up some knowledge.

¡°It¡¯s an honor to be around baseball royalty like that,¡± Butler said. ¡°I¡¯ve talked to him about a million things. He¡¯s helped me a lot with baserunning tips. Little helpful tips in the outfield to try to get my first step quicker, both on the basepaths and on defense. He¡¯s been on me with that.¡±

Butler is too young to have watched the "Man of Steal" in his prime, but the 23-year-old outfielder is well-versed in Henderson¡¯s historic career thanks to YouTube, where he has watched plenty of highlight videos.

From Henderson¡¯s exciting power-speed combo to the flair and drip he brought to the game, Butler is a huge fan.

¡°The jersey pop and the chain pop when he hits a homer, he¡¯s just always had swag and always been very confident,¡± Butler said of Henderson. ¡°I feel like I would like to emulate parts of my game after Rickey. Just being able to talk to him and pick his brain this camp has been a huge help.¡±

It didn¡¯t take long for the two to click. Butler was already affectionately referring to him as "OG Rick" about a week into Henderson¡¯s arrival to camp.

In Butler¡¯s mind, it is important for the new generation of A¡¯s players to bridge the franchise¡¯s past with its future. That is what he aims to do with all the legendary guest instructors who show up to camp, such as Henderson and Dave Stewart.

¡°They¡¯re the ones who built up this organization and the fan base we have,¡± Butler said. ¡°You always have to pay tribute to the OGs and not let those guys go unnoticed or forgotten. It¡¯s always good to have those guys around.¡±