Rickey Henderson Dies at Age 65; Hall of Famer is MLB's All-Time Stolen Base Leader
Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRT
Featured Columnist IVDecember 21, 2024
Rickey Henderson, Major League Baseball's all-time leader in stolen bases, died at the age of 65, his family announced on Saturday.
His family released the following statement:
"It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of my husband, Rickey Henderson. A legend on and off the field, Rickey was a devoted son, dad, friend, grandfather, brother, uncle, and a truly humble soul. Rickey lived his life with integrity, and his love for baseball was paramount. Now, Rickey is at peace with the Lord, cherishing the extraordinary moments and achievements he leaves behind. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, support, and heartfelt memories from family, friends, and fans—all of which have brought immense comfort. We also extend our sincere gratitude to MLB, the Oakland A's, and the incredible doctors and nurses at UCSF who cared for Rickey with dedication and compassion. Your prayers and kindness mean more than words can express. In this difficult time, we kindly ask for your respect and privacy as we adjust to life without Rickey, holding on to the legacy he left for all of us."
Henderson finished his Hall of Fame career as a 10-time All-Star, one-time MVP, two-time champion, three-time Silver Slugger and one-time Gold Glover in stints with the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Anaheim Angels, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers.
He was a lifetime .279 hitter (.401 on-base percentage) with 3,055 hits, 297 homers, 1,155 RBI, 2,295 runs (also an MLB record) and 1,406 stolen bases.
He led the American League in stolen bases in 12 different seasons, and the next closest player in career steals was Lou Brock (938), who was almost 500 swipes away from the incredible Henderson.
His 130 stolen bases in 1982 is the single-season record in the modern era, though Hugh Nichol's 138 stolen bases in 1887 is the all-time record.
His numbers don't tell the full story, however—Henderson was electric on the diamond, especially on the base paths, and arguably the greatest leadoff hitter to ever live. Unsurprisingly, the tributes came pouring in for the baseball legend:
Athletics @AthleticsStatement from the A's:<br><br>Rickey Henderson is one of the greatest baseball players of all time. His on-field accomplishments speak for themselves, and his records will forever stand atop baseball history. He was undoubtedly the most legendary player in Oakland history and made an…
New York Yankees @YankeesStatement from the New York Yankees: <br><br>Rickey Henderson was an all-time great player who commanded our attention like few players before or since, transcending our traditional understanding of how elite and thrilling a single player could be in in the batter's box and on the… <a href="https://t.co/qeduKLmoUO">pic.twitter.com/qeduKLmoUO</a>
MLB @MLBWe are devastated to learn of the passing of Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson.<br><br>Across a 25-year career, Henderson was a 10-time All-Star, 3-time Silver Slugger Award winner, 2-time World Series champion and the 1990 American League MVP.<br><br>Nicknamed the "Man of Steal," Henderson… <a href="https://t.co/gOjtSbFkCz">pic.twitter.com/gOjtSbFkCz</a>
scott pianowski @scott_pianowskiVery sad to hear of Rickey Henderson's passing, just short of his Christmas birthday. Obviously the best leadoff man of all time (should have been '85 MVP, too). But my favorite Rickey thing was him voting "Full playoff share!" for *everyone*. Change somebody's life. RIP, Rickey.
"My favorite hero was Muhammad Ali," Henderson said during his Hall of Fame induction speech. "He said one time, 'I am the greatest.' That was something I always wanted to be, and now that the (Baseball Writers' Association of America) has voted me into the Baseball Hall of Fame, my journey as a player is complete. I am now in the class of the greatest players of all time, and at this moment, I am very, very humbled."
Indeed, no one will ever question Henderson's place among the legends of the game.
