Rickey Henderson, the legendary leadoff hitter who rose from Oakland to become the most celebrated star of his hometown A’s, has passed away. He would have celebrated his 66th birthday on Christmas Day. Despite a whirlwind of social media rumors overnight, several credible sources confirmed to the Bay Area News Group on Saturday morning that Henderson has indeed died.
The family is anticipated to release an official statement later today. According to a source, Henderson had been hospitalized while courageously fighting pneumonia.
Rickey Nelson Henley Henderson, nicknamed “Man of Steal,” was an American professional baseball left fielder who played 24 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1979 to 20033. Born on December 25, 1958, in Chicago, Illinois, Henderson is widely regarded as baseball’s greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner.
Career Highlights
Henderson’s illustrious career spanned four decades and included stints with nine different teams, most notably the Oakland Athletics2. He made his major league debut with Oakland on June 24, 1979, and quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with on the basepaths.
Records and Achievements:
All-time MLB leader in stolen bases (1,406), runs scored (2,295), and unintentional walks (2,129)
First player in American League history to steal 100 bases in a season (1980)
Set the single-season stolen base record with 130 in 1982
Member of the “20/80 club” (20+ home runs and 80+ stolen bases in a season) in 1985 and 1986
Awards and Honors:
American League Most Valuable Player (1990)
10-time All-Star (1980, 1982-1988, 1990 & 1991)
3-time Silver Slugger Award winner (1981, 1985 & 1990)
Gold Glove Award winner (1981)
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame (2009)
Playing Style and Impact
Henderson was known for his exceptional speed, power, and on-base skills. He led the American League in stolen bases 12 times and in runs scored 5 times. His combination of speed and power was unique, as he also hit 297 home runs during his career. Henderson’s impact on the game went beyond his achievements. He was a key player in two World Series championships, winning with the Oakland Athletics in 1989 and the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993.
Legacy
Rickey Henderson’s career numbers and impact on the game solidified his status as one of baseball’s all-time greats. His stolen base record of 1,406 remains unbroken, and he is often cited as the greatest leadoff hitter in baseball history.
Henderson’s eccentric personality and tendency to speak about himself in the third person added to his legendary status. His confidence was evident in his famous quote upon breaking Lou Brock’s stolen base record: “Lou Brock is the symbol of great base stealing, but today I am the greatest of all time.”
In recognition of his extraordinary career, the Oakland Athletics retired his uniform number 24 shortly after his induction into the Hall of Fame in 2009.
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