Rickey Henderson, MLB’s all-time stolen away leader, has died at age 65

Rickey Henderson, MLB’s all-time stolen away leader, has died at age 65



CNN
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Major League Baseball standout Rickey Henderson has died at age 65, according to his family, according to Athletics. According to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Henderson died on Friday.

“It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of my husband, Rickey Henderson,” the Henderson family said in a statement from his former team, the Athletics.

“Rickey was a legend on and off the field, a devoted son, father, friend, grandfather, brother, uncle and a truly humble soul. Rickey lived his life with integrity and his love of baseball was at the forefront. Now Rickey is at peace with the Lord and appreciates the extraordinary moments and achievements he leaves behind.”

Over the course of his illustrious 25-year MLB career, which spanned from 1979 to 2003, Henderson played for nine teams and, most notably, retired as the MLB leader in all-time stolen bases (1,406) and all-time runs scored (2,295).

The 1990 American League MVP is considered one of the best leadoff hitters in the history of the sport and the greatest base stealer of all time, a feat highlighted by the fact that he led the AL in stolen bases 12 times.

“For multiple generations of baseball fans, Rickey Henderson was the gold standard in base stealing and leadoff hitting,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.

“Rickey was one of the most successful and popular track and field athletes of all time. He also left a lasting impression like no other at many other clubs in a career that spanned over a quarter of a century. Rickey embodied speed, power and entertainment as he set the tone at the front of the cast. When we thought about new rules of the game in recent years, we had the Rickey Henderson era in mind

“Rickey has earned universal respect, admiration and awe among sports fans. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Rickey’s family, his friends and former teammates, A’s fans and baseball fans everywhere.”

Henderson began his professional career with the Oakland Athletics after being drafted by the franchise in the fourth round in 1976.

He quickly made a name for himself, earning All-Star honors in his first full MLB season in 1980 after stealing 100 bases to break Ty Cobb’s long-standing AL record of 96, which stood for over 65 years.

In 1982, the “Man of Steal” further cemented his legacy as the greatest base stealer in MLB history after the left fielder stole 130 bases, breaking Lou Brock’s major league record of 118 in a season.

“My impact on the game was going out and making things happen,” Henderson told MLB.com in 2009, according to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. “The most important thing for me was to get things going and score some runs so we could win a ballgame.”

Oakland Athletics Rickey Henderson in action during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto in 1995.

A 10-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, Henderson finished his career with a .279 batting average while recording 3,055 hits and 297 home runs along with 1,115 RBIs.

He was inducted into the Cooperstown Hall of Famer on the first ballot in 2009 after receiving 94.8 percent of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America vote – which was the third-highest percentage at the time.

“I still can’t believe I lost one of my favorite teammates and great friend Rickey Henderson. Rest in peace,” Hall of Famer Dave Winfield said of his former teammate in an Instagram post.

Henderson played for nine teams in his career, including the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays.

“Rickey Henderson was a dream to hit from behind as a teammate and a nightmare as a catcher to hit from behind. He was one of the most generous, hysterical and kind people. We will miss him dearly. Prayers for his soul and his family,” said Mike Piazza on X, a former teammate of Henderson’s with the New York Mets.

Hailed as the Oakland Athletics’ greatest player in franchise history, the Coliseum renamed the playing surface “Rickey Henderson Field” in 2017.

In the Athletics’ final home game at the Coliseum last season, Henderson and former teammate Dave Stewart threw out the ceremonial first pitch to mark the end of their 57 seasons at the legendary stadium.

In November, Major League Baseball owners approved the A’s move to Las Vegas, following in the footsteps of the NFL’s Raiders, who left Oakland for Nevada in 2020.

“Rickey Henderson is one of the greatest baseball players of all time,” the Athletics said in a statement. “His accomplishments on the field speak for themselves and his records will forever stand at the forefront of baseball history. He was undoubtedly the most legendary player in Oakland history and left an indelible mark on generations of A’s fans during his 14 seasons wearing the green and gold.

“To those who knew him personally, Rickey was much more than a franchise icon and a Baseball Hall of Famer. He was a friend and mentor to every player, coach and staff member who visited the Oakland Coliseum or played a game on the field that bore his name.

“We are shocked and heartbroken by his death. His loss will be felt not only by A’s fans, but by baseball fans around the world. The entire A’s organization extends its sincere condolences to Rickey’s family and loved ones at this time.”

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