Henderson remembered as electrifying legend of the game
Rickey Henderson used the ultimate combination of power and speed to break numerous major league baseball records during his career.
But what solidified his place in baseball history was his love for the game.
Henderson died on Dec. 20, 2024, at the age of 65. His enthusiasm for the game manifested itself in 1,406 stolen bases – by far the best total in history.
"Rickey Henderson was not only the greatest base stealer of all-time, but one of the most memorable personalities of his generation," said Jane Forbes Clark, Chairman of the Board of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. "The enthusiasm and energy he brought to Cooperstown each year will truly be missed. Our thoughts are with his wife, Pamela, and their family."
Born on December 25, 1958, in Chicago, Ill., Henderson spent most of his childhood in Oakland, Calif. An All-American running back in high school, Henderson turned down multiple football scholarships to sign with the Oakland Athletics in 1976.
In his first full major league season 1980, Henderson broke Hall of Famer Ty Cobb’s 65-year-old American League stolen base record of 96 with 100 swipes. In 1982, he stole 130 bases in 1982, breaking Hall of Famer Lou Brock’s modern era major league single-season record of 118.
“He's the greatest leadoff hitter of all time, and I'm not sure there's a close second,” said Billy Beane, senior advisor to the Athletics and the team's former longtime general manager.
He played for nine teams over his 25-year career including the Athletics, Yankees, Padres, Mets, Red Sox, Dodgers, Angels, Mariners and Blue Jays. He led the American League in steals 12 times and went on to be the all-time record holder with 1,406 thefts, earning him the nickname “Man of Steal”.
“It wasn't until I saw Rickey that I understood what baseball was about. Rickey Henderson is a run, man,” said Athletics teammate Mitchell Page. “That's it. When you see Rickey Henderson, I don't care when, the score's already 1-0. If he's with you, that's great. If he's not, you won't like it.”
His speed wasn’t his only skill. Henderson set all-time records for runs scored (2,295), unintentional walks (2,129) and leadoff home runs (81). The 10-time All-Star won the MVP Award in 1990, leading the American League in runs scored, stolen bases and on-base percentage. He finished in the top ten in MVP voting five other times.
“He was one of the best players that I ever played with and obviously the best leadoff hitter in baseball," said Hall of Famer Dave Winfield.
Henderson won two World Series during his career, in 1989 with Oakland and in 1993 with Toronto. He spent most of his career in left field and won a Gold Glove Award in 1981. He finished with a .279 batting average, 3,055 hits and 297 home runs. He electrified crowds with his flair and enthusiasm for the game.
Henderson was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009 on his first appearance on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America ballot.
"If my uniform doesn't get dirty, I haven't done anything in the baseball game," said Henderson.
