Henderson, Stewart evoke glory seasons

MESA, Ariz. — The A’s full squad gathered Monday for the first time, and the players got a little treat: Manager Bob Melvin had Dave Stewart and Rickey Henderson address the club.

Said Melvin: “When you touch upon Oakland pride and you have two guys who grew up in Oakland … They kind of went back and forth with each other about when they were growing up and the competition they had, how they feel about the team and organization. It was good stuff.”

Stewart is serving as a guest instructor in camp for the first time; Henderson is a frequent guest instructor. Melvin said he has requested that the alltime stolen-base leader visit as much as he can, especially now that the team has more players with speed. “The more we can have him, the better we’ll be,” Melvin said.

Melvin said the first day went well and there is a good vibe in camp.

“We feel like we’re heading in the right direction and we have the right group here to head in the right direction,” Melvin said. “A good mix of some veteran guys who have been here, some guys we added and the young group that’s had success throughout the minor leagues and is here now. We feel that’s a good dynamic.” Fowler’s first day: New center fielder Dustin Fowler took part in all activities Monday, barely seven months removed from a devastating knee injury in his majorleague debut that required emergency surgery.

“He is really smooth in the outfield and tracks balls really well,” Melvin said. “There are a few times you take note and say, ‘Wow.’ Indications are that he plays center field really well. … I haven’t seen any hesitation.”

Said Fowler: “It’s been a long time coming, but it felt normal.”

Fowler will visit Dr.

Charles Bush-Joseph on Friday to be cleared to begin playing in games next week.

“I’m going to have a lot of aches and pains in my knee going through a lot more stuff, especially in cleats for the first time, but today was good,” Fowler said. “We’ll come in (Tuesday) and see what kind of soreness we have and go from there, but I was happy with everything.”

Fowler is on a slightly limited running program and he said he feels a bit behind on the first two steps trying to steal a base, but that should improve as his knee gains strength. Briefly: Melvin said that

Brandon Moss still knows how to hit homers off him in batting practice. Moss, back with the A’s for the first time since 2014, said, “Wind aided.” …. Khris Davis also took Melvin deep a few times. … All 59 A’s players were on the field Monday; Oakland has no players out with injuries.