Rickey Henderson, baseball’s greatest leadoff hitter and ‘Man of Steal’, dies aged 65

Rickey Henderson, baseball’s greatest leadoff hitter and the all-time stolen base king, died Friday in Oakland at the age of 65 after battling pneumonia, multiple sources confirmed on Saturday.

Henderson’s career was a testament to speed, power and charisma. Over 24 seasons, he racked up a record-breaking 1,406 stolen bases, 2,295 runs scored, and 81 leadoff home runs. A 10-time All-Star, two-time World Series champion, and 1990 American League MVP, Henderson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 2009.

Related: Rickey Henderson’s quest for respect and the dawn of MLB’s big money era

“My favorite hero was Muhammad Ali,” Henderson said during his induction speech in Cooperstown, New York. “He said one time, quote, I am the greatest, end of quote. That was something I always wanted to be, and now that the [Baseball Writers’ Association of America] has voted me into the Baseball Hall of Fame, my journey as a player is complete. I am now in the class of the greatest players of all time, and at this moment, I am very, very humbled.”

The Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in California also inducted Henderson in 2020.

Born Rickey Nelson Henley Henderson on Christmas Day in 1958, he often joked that his fast arrival in the back seat of an Oldsmobile in Chicago foreshadowed his legendary speed. Raised in the Bay Area, he starred as a multi-sport athlete at Oakland Technical High School before opting for baseball at the urging of his mother. Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the fourth round in 1976, Henderson debuted in 1979 and quickly became a fan favorite.

Henderson’s career was defined by his fearless baserunning, including his record-breaking 130 stolen bases in 1982, a single-season mark that still stands. On 1 May 1991, he surpassed Lou Brock’s career stolen base record with his 939th steal, cementing his place as MLB’s all-time theft leader.

Henderson’s career accolades include 10 MLB All-Star game appearances, three Silver Slugger awards, one Gold Glove award and the 1990 American League MVP.

“Rickey was the greatest leadoff hitter of all time. There’s no debate,” said Billy Beane, former A’s general manager. “He transformed the game and made every team he played for better.”

Henderson played for nine teams, including notable stints with the Yankees and Mets, but he is forever linked to his hometown A’s, where he spent 14 seasons over four stints. The playing field at the Oakland Coliseum was renamed Rickey Henderson Field in 2017, a tribute he called “a special, great moment”.

In September, Henderson threw out the first pitch with fellow legend Dave Stewart when the A’s played their last game at the Oakland Coliseum.

“I can’t be sad,” he said to the San Francisco Chronicle. “I have too much money, and I did too much here, all these great things here. I’m more happy than sad. Maybe later it will hit you when it’s all said and done. But, honestly, today I’m going to have fun.”

A colorful personality both on and off the field, Henderson often referred to himself in the third person and delivered memorable quips. “If my uniform doesn’t get dirty, I haven’t done anything in the baseball game,” he once said.

Former teammates and opponents alike shared tributes. “Rickey Henderson was a dream to hit behind and a nightmare for catchers,” Mets teammate Mike Piazza said. “He will be sorely missed.”

Former MLB center-fielder Cameron Maybin posted on social media: “Truly grateful I was able to pick his brain and just soak up a little bit of the knowledge he passed on. Sad day in sports, but legends never die! Rest easy Man of Steal.”

Even fellow former Bay Area sports team the Raiders, who moved their NFL franchise to Las Vegas in 2020, posted a tribute: “The Raiders family mourns the passing of Rickey Henderson, baseball’s stolen base king and an East Bay legend. The thoughts and prayers of the Raider Nation are with the Henderson family at this time.”

Henderson joins Willie Mays, Vida Blue and Orlando Cepeda as Bay Area baseball legends to die in the past two years.

Henderson’s passing marks a poignant moment for Oakland fans as the A’s prepare to leave the city after 57 years. His death follows those of other franchise legends, making the loss especially bittersweet for a loyal fan base. He is survived by his wife, Pamela, and three children.