Rickey Henderson, the best base stealer in Main League Baseball historical past and one of many recreation’s most enduring gamers, has died, Main League Baseball confirmed Saturday. He was 65.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred referred to as Henderson the “gold customary of base stealing and leadoff hitting” in an announcement Saturday that expressed the league’s condolences.
“Rickey epitomized velocity, energy and leisure in setting the tone on the prime of the lineup.” The Athletics, who subsequent season will play in Sacramento after shifting from Oakland, mentioned Henderson was “undoubtedly essentially the most legendary participant in Oakland historical past.”
A star highschool athlete in Oakland, California, Henderson was drafted in 1976 by the A’s and made his MLB debut three years later, at simply 20 years previous. After 10 All-Star appearances, World Sequence championships with Oakland and Toronto, and a profession almost past evaluate, his last MLB recreation got here in 2003, at age 44.
“Rickey lived his life with integrity, and his love for baseball was paramount,” his daughters and spouse, Pamela Henderson, mentioned in a statement posted to X by the Athletics. “Now, Rickey is at peace with the Lord, cherishing the extraordinary moments and achievements he leaves behind.”
Nicknamed the “Man of Steal” and identified for occasionally referring to himself within the third individual, Henderson ranks first all time in each stolen bases, with 1,406, and runs scored, with 2,295. His reward of velocity and anticipation on the bottom paths was instantly obvious when, in his first full season in 1980, Henderson stole 100 bases to interrupt Lou Brock’s MLB single-season document. In 1982, he stole 130 bases, which stays the single-season document of the fashionable period.
“Rickey set an ordinary for energy, velocity and dynamic play that may by no means be duplicated,” Tony Clark, the chief director of the MLB Gamers Affiliation, mentioned in an announcement. “He revolutionized expectations on the prime of the order.”
Eleven years later, after he broke Brock’s profession document, Henderson stood on the sphere in Oakland and left little question about his place. “Lou Brock was the image of nice base stealing,” Henderson mentioned, holding a microphone. “However right now, I’m the best of all time.”
However Henderson was a feared leadoff hitter not solely due to his velocity, but in addition due to his endurance on the plate to get on base. In 2001 whereas taking part in for San Diego — one of many 9 groups he performed for over a 25-year profession — Henderson handed Babe Ruth as MLB’s all-time walks chief. He now sits second, behind Barry Bonds, however Henderson stays the chief in unintentional walks drawn, with 2,129.
After main MLB in runs, stolen bases and on-base proportion in 1990, and tying his profession excessive with 28 dwelling runs, Henderson was named essentially the most beneficial participant of the American League.
Upon successful the honour, Henderson advised reporters on the time that, in his opinion, he had performed higher in no less than three different seasons.
Henderson was best-known for his 4 stints taking part in with the Athletics, one thing of a hometown workforce for Henderson, who was born in Chicago however spent highschool in Oakland. A area close to his highschool, Oakland Tech, nonetheless bears Henderson’s title. The Athletics gained the 1989 World Sequence with Henderson hitting .441 through the postseason, together with 9 walks.
Henderson is one in every of simply 33 gamers with 3,000 hits. In 2002, one 12 months after he joined that unique membership, Henderson tried to work his manner again to the majors by way of the minor leagues, first on a minor-league take care of Boston.
In 3,081 profession video games, Henderson racked up 13,346 plate appearances, marks that solely Pete Rose, Carl Yastrzemski and Henry Aaron have exceeded in MLB historical past.
“There was just one Rickey Henderson in baseball,” George Steinbrenner, the previous Yankees proprietor, as soon as mentioned, in keeping with the Baseball Corridor of Fame. “He was the best leadoff hitter of all time.”
In 2003, with MLB curiosity slim, he performed for the independent-league Newark Bears. He finally latched on with the Dodgers, his last MLB workforce.
Dave Winfield, a former teammate of Henderson’s, posted information of Henderson’s demise on Instagram.
“I nonetheless can not imagine I’ve misplaced one in every of my favourite teammates and nice buddy Rickey Henderson. Relaxation in peace,” Winfield posted.
Andrew Greif
Andrew Greif is a contract sports activities journalist.
