Rickey Henderson 1958-2024: ‘Greatest Leadoff Hitter Of All Time’

dsdNYSJ Sports-Entertainment Business News Service

Photo: MLBDecember 21, 2024: Yahoo Sports: Rickey Henderson, 2009 National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, died Friday at 65.

MLB's all-time leader in stolen bases would have turned 66 on Christmas Day. (Henderson had been in the hospital battling pneumonia, according to news reports.)

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.

In 2017, the playing surface at the Oakland Coliseum was dedicated as Rickey Henderson Field.

“Rickey was a teammate, a competitor, and someone I was lucky enough to work alongside and ultimately call a friend,” Billy Beane, a senior advisor to the A’s managing partner, said via the team.

“He was the greatest Oakland A of all time and will deservedly be remembered that way by fans of baseball across the world. His impact on the A’s, on Oakland, and on baseball is immeasurable.”

Pamela Henderson called her husband a legend on and off the field.

“Rickey was a devoted son, dad, friend, grandfather, brother, uncle, and a truly humble soul,” she and his three daughters said via the family.

“Rickey lived his life with integrity, and his love for baseball was paramount. Now, Rickey is at peace with the Lord, cherishing the extraordinary moments and achievements he leaves behind.”

"For multiple generations of baseball fans, Rickey Henderson was the gold standard of base stealing and leadoff hitting,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said via the league.

“Rickey was one of the most accomplished and beloved Athletics of all-time. He also made an impact with many other clubs during a quarter-century career like no other. He epitomized speed, power and entertainment in setting the tone at the top of the lineup."

According to Manfred, When we considered new rules for the game in recent years, we had the era of Rickey Henderson in mind.

“Rickey earned universal respect, admiration and awe from sports fans. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I send my deepest condolences to Rickey’s family, his friends and former teammates, A’s fans and baseball fans everywhere.”

"There was only one Rickey Henderson in baseball," George Steinbrenner (now deceased), who was the Yankees owner when Henderson played for the team, said via the Hall Of Fame. "He was the greatest leadoff hitter of all time.”

Back to Home Page