Rickey Henderson, the electrifying Hall of Fame outfielder who revolutionized base stealing and redefined the leadoff hitter’s role, has passed away at 65. Major League Baseball confirmed the news Saturday following reports of his death in the Oakland, California area, where he succumbed to pneumonia. Henderson, who would have turned 66 on Christmas Day, leaves behind a legacy unmatched in the annals of baseball.
Henderson’s 25-year career was nothing short of extraordinary. Known as “The Man of Steal,” he swiped a jaw-dropping 1,406 bases, a record that remains untouchable in today’s game. More than just a base thief, Henderson was a complete player, blending speed, power, and charisma. With a career .820 OPS, 297 home runs, and a .401 on-base percentage, he was a force at the plate and on the bases.
“For multiple generations of baseball fans, Rickey Henderson was the gold standard of base stealing and leadoff hitting,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “Rickey epitomized speed, power, and entertainment, setting the tone at the top of the lineup. He was one of the most accomplished and beloved players in Athletics history and an icon of the game.”
Henderson’s personality was as colorful as his playing style. Famous for referring to himself in the third person, he once quipped, “Nothing is impossible for Rickey. You don’t have enough fingers and toes to count out Rickey.” His brash confidence and infectious enthusiasm made him a fan favorite, even as his skills struck fear into opposing pitchers and catchers.
The Oakland native debuted for his hometown Athletics in 1979 after being selected in the fourth round of the 1976 draft. By 1980, he was stealing 100 bases a season, a feat he achieved three times in his career. His 130 steals in 1982 shattered Lou Brock’s previous single-season record of 120, cementing Henderson’s status as the game’s premier base stealer.
Henderson’s career took him across the league, including memorable stints with the Yankees, Blue Jays, Mets, and others. While with the Yankees, he teamed up with Don Mattingly and Dave Winfield to form a potent lineup, although playoff success eluded them. Mattingly fondly recalled, “Rickey was simply the best player I ever played with. He could change the outcome of a game in so many ways.”
Returning to Oakland in 1989, Henderson helped the A’s win the World Series, earning ALCS MVP honors along the way. The following year, he claimed the AL MVP award, a testament to his unmatched all-around brilliance.
Perhaps his most iconic moment came in 1991 when he broke Lou Brock’s all-time stolen base record. After swiping third base against the Yankees, Henderson famously pulled the base out of the ground and held it aloft, declaring, “Today, I am the greatest of all time.”
Henderson played until age 44, finishing with 10 All-Star appearances and a first-ballot Hall of Fame induction in 2009. Beyond his stats, Rickey Henderson was a symbol of baseball’s golden era—a time when the game was fast, exciting, and larger than life.
As we say goodbye to one of the sport’s greatest legends, we remember not just the records and accolades but the joy and energy Rickey Henderson brought to the game. Rest in peace, Rickey—you’ll always be the greatest.
