The post Athletics icon and Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson dies at 65 was originally broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area
Rickey Henderson, one of the greatest players in Athletics history and a 2009 National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, died Friday at the age of 65, NBC Sports California confirmed.
MLB’s all-time stolen base leader would have turned 66 on Christmas Day.
The Henderson family released the following statement:
Statement from the Henderson family:
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of my husband, Ricky Henderson. A legend on and off the field, Ricky was a devoted son, father, friend, grandfather, brother, uncle, and truly a humble soul. Ricky lives his life…
— Athletics (@Athletics) December 21, 2024
Henderson played 25 MLB seasons with the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Anaheim Angels, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Oakland Tech graduate was selected by the Athletics in the fourth round of the 1976 MLB Draft and made his major league debut with Oakland three years later.
It didn’t take long for Henderson to establish himself as one of MLB’s best players. In his first full season in 1980, he was selected as an American League All-Star and finished 10th in MVP voting.
Henderson’s first stint with the Athletics ended in 1984 when he was traded to the Yankees. After five seasons in New York, he was sent back to Oakland during the 1989 season. That year, he helped Oakland defeat the San Francisco Giants in the World Series.
During his second stint in Oakland, Henderson stole his 939th base against the Yankees on May 1, 1991, breaking Lou Brock’s stolen base record. One of the most iconic moments in baseball history was born when Henderson pulled third base. I picked up my bag from the ground and held it over my head.
Henderson famously gave a speech to a packed Oakland Coliseum and called himself “the greatest man of all time.”
The Athletics traded Henderson again in 1993, this time to the Blue Jays on July 31, and a few months later, Henderson won his second World Series title.
Henderson finished his MLB career with 1,406 stolen bases, which remains a benchmark.
Possibly the greatest leadoff hit in MLB history, Henderson holds the MLB record for most points with 2,295 points. He also had 297 home runs and 1,115 RBIs.
Henderson was selected to the MLB All-Star Game 10 times, was the 1990 AL MVP, won three Silver Slugger Awards, and won one Gold Glove Award.
The Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame inducted Henderson in 2020.
Mr. A’s statement:
Rickey Henderson is one of the greatest baseball players of all time. His accomplishments on the field speak for themselves, and his record will forever stand at the top of baseball history. He is arguably the most legendary player in Oakland’s history and…
— Athletics (@Athletics) December 21, 2024
Henderson’s legacy in Oakland was cemented in 2017 when the Athletics renamed the Coliseum field “Ricky Henderson Field.” The logo remained on the field until the final game at the Coliseum in September.
The Athletics honored Henderson last season by giving away bobbleheads to fans who attended the Sept. 20 game. Before the game, Henderson’s daughter Adrianna threw out the first pitch to her father.
Henderson’s influence on the current Athletics continues in recent years, including advising Lawrence Butler and Estury Lewis.
Henderson left a mark on baseball and the city of Oakland that will not soon be forgotten.
A “man of thieves” who was stolen from the baseball world too soon.
