Rickey Henderson, Baseball’s Greatest Leadoff Hitter and ‘Man of Steal,’ Dies at 65 | MLB

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

Henderson’s career was a testament to speed, power and charisma. In 24 seasons, he amassed 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 a first-ballot inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2009.

“My favorite hero was Muhammad Ali,” Henderson said during his introductory speech in Cooperstown, New York. “He once said, quote, “I am the greatest,” end of quote. This is something I’ve always wanted to be, and now that the (Baseball Writers’ Association of America) has elected me to 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 feel very, very humble.”

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

Born Rickey Nelson Henley Henderson on Christmas Day 1958, he often joked that his quick arrival in the back seat of an Oldsmobile in Chicago foreshadowed his legendary speed. He grew up in the Bay Area and played as a multi-sport athlete at Oakland Technical High School before choosing baseball at his mother’s urging. Henderson was drafted in the fourth round by the Oakland Athletics in 1976, 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 mark that still stands today. On May 1, 1991, he surpassed Lou Brock’s career record with his 939th steal, cementing his place as MLB’s all-time steals leader.

Henderson’s professional honors include ten MLB All-Star Game appearances, three Silver Slugger Awards, a Gold Glove Award and the 1990 American League MVP award.

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

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

In September, Henderson threw out the first pitch alongside fellow legend Dave Stewart as the A’s played their final game at the Oakland Coliseum.

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

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

Former teammates and opponents alike shared their tributes. “Rickey Henderson was a dream to hit from behind and a nightmare for catchers,” Mets teammate Mike Piazza said. “We will miss him dearly.”

Former MLB centerfielder Cameron Maybin posted on social media: “Really grateful I was able to get into his brain and soak up some of the knowledge he passed down.” Sad day in sports but legends never die! Be quiet, man of theft.”

Even the Raiders, a former Bay Area sports team that moved its NFL franchise to Las Vegas in 2020, posted a tribute: “The Raiders family mourns the loss of Rickey Henderson, baseball’s stolen base king and an East Bayer -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 who have died in the past two years.

Henderson’s death marks a poignant moment for Oakland fans as the A’s prepare to leave the city after 57 years. His death follows the deaths of other franchise legends, making the loss particularly bitter for a loyal fan base. He leaves behind his wife Pamela and three children.