The baseball world mourns the loss of Rickey Henderson, an iconic figure renowned for his base-stealing prowess and dynamic leadoff hitting. Henderson, 65, passed away following a battle with pneumonia, just shy of his 66th birthday.
The ten-time All-Star spent a significant portion of his impressive 25-season career with the Oakland Athletics. He also donned the uniforms of the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Anaheim Angels, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Henderson holds the Major League Baseball record for career runs scored and is widely considered the best leadoff hitter in the history of the game. His 1990 season was particularly remarkable, earning him the American League MVP award. He led the league with a 1.016 OPS, 65 stolen bases, and 119 runs scored.
In a heartfelt statement, Henderson's wife, Pamela, remembered him as a "legend on and off the field," highlighting his devotion to family and his unwavering passion for baseball. She shared that he "lived his life with integrity" and is now "at peace with the Lord."
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred also paid tribute to Henderson, recognizing his impact on the sport and his influence on recent rule changes aimed at recapturing the excitement of Henderson's era. Manfred described Henderson as the "gold standard of base stealing and leadoff hitting" and offered condolences to his family, friends, and fans.
Henderson's illustrious career includes two World Series titles, one with the A's in 1989 and another with the Blue Jays in 1993. He achieved a historic milestone on May 1, 1991, becoming MLB's all-time stolen base leader, ultimately finishing with an astounding 1,406, nearly 500 more than Lou Brock. His 2,295 runs scored surpass Ty Cobb's record by 50, and his 3,055 hits place him 27th on the all-time list.
His single-season record of 130 stolen bases in 1982 remains unmatched in the modern era. He and Vince Coleman stand alone as the only players since 1920 to achieve three seasons with at least 100 stolen bases. Henderson's remarkable consistency is further underscored by his 13 seasons with 50 or more stolen bases, an unprecedented feat.
From his debut in 1979 to his retirement in 2003, Henderson accumulated a remarkable 111.1 WAR across his 25 MLB seasons, solidifying his place as one of baseball's all-time greats.
