Baseball Legend Rickey Henderson Passes Away at 65
OAKLAND, Calif. — Renowned for his electrifying speed and extraordinary talent, Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, affectionately dubbed baseball’s “Man of Steal,” has passed away at the age of 65. The Oakland Athletics announced his death on Saturday, expressing their deep shock and sorrow, although no cause of death was provided.
During his illustrious 25-year career, Henderson amassed numerous accolades, including an MVP award, 10 All-Star selections, two World Series championships, and a Gold Glove. Former teammate Don Mattingly, who played alongside Henderson with the New York Yankees from 1985-89, remarked, “Rickey was simply the best player I ever played with. He could change the outcome of a game in so many ways.”
Henderson’s ability to steal bases was unparalleled. He burst onto the scene with 100 stolen bases in his first full season in 1980, surpassing Ty Cobb’s American League record. He continued to excel, eventually breaking Lou Brock’s single-season record with 130 steals in 1982. Henderson led the league in steals for seven consecutive seasons and 12 times overall.
In a memorable moment on May 1, 1991, Henderson eclipsed Brock’s career record by stealing his 939th base. He celebrated by removing third base and addressing the crowd, famously declaring, “Lou Brock was a great base stealer, but today I am the greatest of all time.”
Henderson concluded his career with 1,406 stolen bases, maintaining a substantial lead over Brock. Former A’s executive Billy Beane praised him as “the greatest leadoff hitter of all time.”
In recent interviews, Henderson speculated that modern rule changes, such as limits on pickoff throws and larger bases, would have further boosted his already impressive steal totals. “If I was playing today, I would get 162, right now, without a doubt,” he asserted.
Rickey Henderson’s career was distinguished not only by his base-stealing prowess but also by his impressive statistics in other areas. He is the all-time leader in runs scored with 2,295 and leads in leadoff home runs with 81. Additionally, he ranks second in walks and fourth in games played and plate appearances.
Born on December 25, 1958, in Chicago and raised in Oakland, Henderson was a multi-sport star in high school. Although heavily recruited for football, his mother’s preference for baseball led him to choose the sport, a decision that proved wise given his lengthy and successful career.
Henderson began his Major League journey with the Oakland Athletics, debuting in 1979. After stints with several teams, including the Yankees, he returned to Oakland in 1989, playing a pivotal role in their World Series victory that year. His career also saw him achieve significant success with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he won his second World Series title.
The Oakland Athletics honored Henderson in 2017 by naming their playing field “Rickey Henderson Field” at the Oakland Coliseum. His former Yankees teammate, Ron Guidry, fondly recalled, “When you’re old and grey, sitting around with your buds talking about your career in baseball, you are going to talk about Rickey. He was just amazing to watch.”
Henderson’s passing marks the third loss of a Hall of Famer with Bay Area ties this year, following the deaths of Willie Mays and Orlando Cepeda. His legacy as one of baseball’s most dynamic and influential players remains indelible.
For more on Rickey Henderson’s remarkable career and contributions to baseball, visit the AP MLB hub.
