Nicknamed the “Man of Steal,” Henderson is known for often referring to himself in the third person. He ranks first all-time with 1,406 stolen bases and 2,295 runs scored. His gift for speed and anticipation on the base paths was immediately apparent when Henderson stole 100 bases in his first full season in 1980, breaking Lou Brock’s MLB single-season record.

Eleven years later, after breaking Brock’s career record, Henderson stood on the field in Oakland and left no doubt about his place. “Lou Brock was the symbol of great base stealing,” Henderson said, holding a microphone. “But today I’m the greatest of all time.”

But Henderson was a feared leadoff hitter, not only because of his speed but also his patience at the plate to get on base. In 2001, while playing for San Diego – one of the nine teams he played for in his 25-year career – Henderson passed Babe Ruth as MLB’s all-time scoring leader. He now ranks second behind Barry Bonds, but Henderson remains the leader in unintentional walks with 2,129.

After leading the MLB in runs, stolen bases and on-base percentage in 1990 and hitting a career-high 28 home runs, Henderson was named the American League’s Most Valuable Player.

Upon receiving the award, Henderson told reporters at the time that he believed he had played better in at least three other seasons.

Henderson was best known for his four stints with the Athletics, which was something of a home team for Henderson, who was born in Chicago but spent high school in Oakland. A field near his high school, Oakland Tech, still bears Henderson’s name. The Athletics won the 1989 World Series, with Henderson hitting .441 in the postseason, including nine walks.

Henderson is one of only 33 players with 3,000 goals. In 2002, a year after joining that exclusive club, Henderson attempted to return to the majors via the minor leagues, initially with a minor league contract with Boston.

In 3,081 career games, Henderson reached 13,346 plate appearances, a mark surpassed in MLB history only by Pete Rose, Carl Yastrzemski and Henry Aaron.

“There was only one Rickey Henderson in baseball,” former Yankees owner George Steinbrenner once said, according to the Baseball Hall of Fame. “He was the greatest leadoff hitter of all time.

In 2003, when MLB interest was low, he played for the independent league Newark Bears. He eventually joined the Dodgers, his final MLB team.

Dave Winfield, a former teammate of Henderson, posted the news of Henderson’s death on Instagram.

“I still can’t believe I lost one of my favorite teammates and great friend Rickey Henderson. Rest in peace,” Winfield wrote.