Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, MLB’s all-time stolen base king, has passed away at the age of 65. Known for his electrifying speed and bold personality, he transformed the leadoff position in baseball.
Henderson died on Friday, prompting an emotional response from the Oakland Athletics, who expressed their shock and heartbreak over the loss. The team did not disclose the cause of death.
The Athletics shared a heartfelt statement from Henderson’s wife, Pamela, and his daughters.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of my husband, Rickey Henderson,” the statement conveyed. “A legend both on and off the field, Rickey was a devoted son, father, friend, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He lived a life filled with integrity, and his passion for baseball was unmatched. Now, Rickey is at peace with the Lord, cherishing the extraordinary moments and achievements he leaves behind.”
“During this challenging time, we kindly ask for your respect and privacy as we adjust to life without Rickey, holding on to the legacy he left for all of us,” the statement concluded.
Widely recognized as baseball’s “Man of Steal,” Henderson’s illustrious career spanned 25 years, during which he accumulated numerous accolades, including an MVP award, 10 All-Star selections, two World Series titles, and a Gold Glove award.
His prowess on the base paths is what truly set him apart, as he dominated the art of stealing bases.
Henderson burst onto the scene in 1980, stealing 100 bases in his first full season and breaking Ty Cobb’s American League single-season record while playing for the Oakland Athletics under manager Billy Martin. His remarkable career continued for nearly two decades, during which he played for nine different franchises. In 1982, he shattered Lou Brock’s single-season record by stealing 130 bases and led the league in steals for seven consecutive seasons.
On May 1, 1991, he made history by stealing his 939th base, breaking Brock’s career record. In a memorable moment, he pulled third base from the ground and proudly displayed it to the cheering crowd, famously declaring, “Lou Brock was a great base stealer, but today I am the greatest of all time.”
Henderson concluded his career with an astounding total of 1,406 steals. His impressive lead over Brock, which stands at 468 steals, mirrors the gap between Brock and Jimmy Rollins, who ranks 46th with 470.
Reflecting on his abilities, he once remarked, “If I was playing today, I would get 162, right now, without a doubt.” His confidence stemmed from the modern rules limiting pitchers’ pickoff attempts, which he believed would have further enhanced his stealing prowess.
Henderson’s record-breaking day was overshadowed by Nolan Ryan’s seventh career no-hitter, a testament to the dual greatness displayed that evening. Henderson had already been Ryan’s 5,000th career strikeout victim, leading him to quip, “If you haven’t been struck out by Nolan Ryan, you’re nobody.”
His legacy extends beyond stolen bases; he holds the record for career runs scored with 2,295 and leadoff home runs with 81. He ranks second to Barry Bonds with 2,190 walks, and is fourth in games played (3,081) and plate appearances (13,346). Over his remarkable career, he amassed 3,055 hits while playing for teams such as the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, and Toronto Blue Jays.
He fittingly wrapped up his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers at age 44 in 2003, scoring a run in his final major league appearance.
Henderson’s passing marks the loss of another significant figure in baseball, following the recent deaths of Giants legends Willie Mays and Orlando Cepeda.
Uniquely, Henderson was a right-handed batter who threw left-handed, a combination as rare as his exceptional talent.
He adopted an extreme crouch while batting, creating a tighter strike zone that contributed to his impressive walk totals. His aggressive leads off first base instilled fear in pitchers, as he would often twitch his fingers inside his batting gloves, sizing up the next move.
Born on Christmas Day in 1958 in Chicago, Henderson grew up in Oakland, where he showcased his athletic prowess in baseball, basketball, and football at Oakland Tech High School. He was a highly sought-after football recruit, with the potential to play tailback at Southern California alongside future Hall of Famer Marcus Allen.
However, his mother’s love for baseball guided him toward the sport, a choice that proved to be wise as Henderson enjoyed a long and successful career.
“She didn’t want her baby to get hurt,” Henderson reflected in a 2019 interview. “I was mad, but she was smart. Overall, with the career longevity and the success I had, she made the right decision. Some of the players in football now have short careers and they can barely move around when they’re done.”
Selected in the fourth round of the 1976 amateur draft by the Oakland Athletics, Henderson made his major league debut in 1979, recording two hits and, naturally, one stolen base.
He quickly became a star for the Athletics, remaining with the team until 1984 before being traded to the New York Yankees. Though he was part of talented Yankees squads, they never reached the postseason during his tenure. In 1985, he scored 146 runs in 143 games, leading the league with 80 steals and 24 home runs, helping to establish the “80-20 club” alongside Cincinnati’s Eric Davis.
Henderson returned to Oakland in June 1989, leading to the pinnacle of his career. He topped the American League that season with 113 runs, 126 walks, and 77 steals, earning ALCS MVP honors while helping the Athletics secure the World Series title against the San Francisco Giants.
He followed up with an AL MVP award the next season, although the Athletics fell short in the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds.
Henderson set the career steals record in 1991 and later joined the Toronto Blue Jays, where he won his second World Series title. He spent the final decade of his career moving between teams but continued to lead the American League with 66 steals and 118 walks at the age of 39 while playing for Oakland in 1998.
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