Rickey Henderson, a legendary figure in baseball and a Hall of Famer, passed away on Friday at the age of 65, as confirmed by NBC Sports Bay Area and NBC Sports California. His death is especially poignant as it occurred just days before what would have been his birthday on Christmas Day.
Henderson is celebrated for holding the record for the most career stolen bases in Major League Baseball, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest leadoff hitters of all time. A native of Oakland, Henderson began his professional career with the Athletics after turning down several football scholarships in favor of baseball in 1976.
Henderson made an impressive debut in the major leagues in 1980, breaking a long-standing record held by Ty Cobb for American League stolen bases by achieving 100 steals. He set an even higher bar in 1982 by stealing 130 bases, surpassing the previous major league record of 118 held by Lou Brock.
The son of a family that migrated from Arkansas during the Second Great Migration, Henderson spent most of his career playing for nine different teams, primarily the Oakland A’s, where he became an icon. He is known for stealing bases a total of 1,406 times throughout his 25-year career, which earned him the nickname “man of steal.”
In addition to his stolen base records, Henderson holds significant all-time records for runs scored (2,295) and unintentional walks (2,129). A remarkable career highlighted by ten All-Star appearances, Henderson was awarded the American League MVP Award in 1990. He also claimed two World Series titles—one with the A’s in 1989 and another with the Blue Jays in 1993.
Henderson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2009 and was honored by the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2020. He made an appearance at the Oakland Coliseum earlier this year during the last game played there, expressing his fondness for his time in Oakland and hinting that major league baseball might not return to the city.
In recognition of his significant contributions to the team and the sport, the Oakland Athletics designated their diamond as Rickey Henderson Field. His passing leaves a mark on the baseball community, but his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of athletes.
This moment is a reminder of Henderson’s impact both on and off the field, emphasizing his joyful perspective on life and his major contributions to baseball. As fans remember him, they celebrate not only his records but also the spirit of baseball that Henderson epitomized during his storied career.
Hopefully, his legacy encourages both current and future players to strive for greatness while maintaining a love for the game.