Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, baseball's stolen base king, has died at 65

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, the brash speedster who shattered stolen base records and redefined baseball's leadoff position, has died. He was 65.

Henderson died on Friday. The Athletics said Saturday they were “shocked and heartbroken by his passing," but did not specify a cause of death.

Known as baseball's “Man of Steal,” Henderson had a lengthy list of accolades and accomplishments over his nomadic 25-year career — an MVP, 10 All-Star selections, two World Series titles and a Gold Glove award.

“Rickey was simply the best player I ever played with. He could change the outcome of a game in so many ways," said Don Mattingly, Henderson's teammate with the New York Yankees from 1985-89. "It puts a smile on my face just thinking about him. I will miss my friend.”

It was stealing bases where Henderson made his name and dominated the sport like no other.

He broke through with 100 steals in his first full season in the majors in 1980, topping Ty Cobb's AL single-season record with Billy Martin's “Billy Ball” Oakland Athletics. He barely slowed playing for nine franchises over the next two decades. He broke Lou Brock's single-season record of 118 by stealing 130 bases in 1982 and led the league in steals for seven straight seasons and 12 overall.

Henderson surpassed Brock's career record when he stole his 939th base on May 1, 1991, for Oakland, and famously pulled third base out of the ground and showed it off to the adoring crowd before giving a speech that he capped by saying: “Lou Brock was a great base stealer, but today I am the greatest of all time.”

Henderson finished his career with 1,406 steals. His 468-steal edge over Brock matches the margin between Brock and Jimmy Rollins, who is in 46th place with 470.

“He’s the greatest leadoff hitter of all time, and I’m not sure there’s a close second,” former A's executive Billy Beane said of Henderson.

In September, Henderson insisted he would have had many more steals in his career and in the record-breaking 1982 season if rules introduced in 2023 to limit pickoff throws and increase the size of bases had overlapped with his career.

“If I was playing today, I would get 162, right now, without a doubt," he said. "Because if they had had that rule, you can only throw over there twice, you know how many times they would be throwing over there twice and they’d be going, ‘Ah, (shoot), can y’all send him to third? Give him two bases and send him to third.’ That would be me.”

He even predicted how he could still be stealing more bases than the current major leaguers even 20-plus years post-retirement: "If they’re stealing 40-50 bases right now I’d lead the league.”

Henderson’s accomplishment that record-breaking day in 1991 was slightly overshadowed that night when Nolan Ryan threw his record seventh career no-hitter. Henderson already had been Ryan’s 5,000th career strikeout victim, which led him to say, “If you haven’t been struck out by Nolan Ryan, you’re nobody.”

That was clearly not the case for Henderson. He is also the career leader in runs scored with 2,295 and in leadoff home runs with 81, ranks second to Barry Bonds with 2,190 walks and is fourth in games played (3,081) and plate appearances (13,346). He finished his career with 3,055 hits over 25 seasons spent with Oakland, the Yankees, Toronto, San Diego, Anaheim, the New York Mets, Seattle, Boston and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

He fittingly finished his career with the Dodgers at age 44 in 2003 by scoring a run in his final play on a major league field.

Henderson is the third prominent baseball Hall of Famer with ties to the Bay Area who died this year, following the deaths in June of former Giants stars Willie Mays and Orlando Cepeda.

Henderson was the rare position player who hit from the right side and threw with his left arm — but then again, everything about Henderson was unique.

He batted out of an extreme crouch, making for a tighter strike zone that contributed to his high walk total. He struck fear in opponents with his aggressive leads off first, his fingers twitching between his legs inside his batting gloves as he eyed the pitcher and the next base.

Born on Christmas Day in 1958 in Chicago in the back of his parents' Chevy, Henderson grew up in Oakland and developed into a star athlete. He played baseball, basketball and football at Oakland Tech High School and was a highly sought-after football recruit who could have played tailback at Southern California — where he likely would have eventually had the chance to run alongside football Hall of Famer Marcus Allen.

But Henderson said his mother loved baseball and thought it would be the safer career in a decision that proved to be prescient.

“She didn’t want her baby to get hurt,” Henderson told the San Francisco Chronicle in 2019. “I was mad, but she was smart. Overall, with the career longevity and the success I had, she made the right decision. Some of the players in football now have short careers and they can barely move around when they’re done.”

Henderson was selected in the fourth round of the 1976 amateur draft by the hometown A's and made his big league debut in 1979 with two hits — and, of course, one stolen base.

He became a star for the A's the following season and remained in Oakland through 1984 before being traded to the Yankees. Henderson was part of some talented teams in New York that never made the postseason. In 1985, he scored 146 runs in 143 games to go along with a league-leading 80 steals and 24 homers, helping start the "80-20 club" that season with Cincinnati's Eric Davis.

Henderson was traded back to Oakland in June 1989, leading to his greatest successes. He topped the AL that season with 113 runs, 126 walks and 77 steals, was named the ALCS MVP and helped lead the A's to the World Series title in the earthquake-interrupted Bay Bridge series by sweeping the Giants.

Henderson then won the AL MVP the following season for Oakland before the A's lost the World Series to Cincinnati.

“I traded Rickey Henderson twice and brought him back more times than that,” former A's general manager Sandy Alderson said. "He was the best player I ever saw play. He did it all — hit, hit for power, stole bases, and defended — and he did it with a flair that enthused his fans and infuriated his opponents. But everyone was amused by his personality, style, and third-person references to himself. He was unique in many ways.

“Rickey stories are legion, legendary, and mostly true. But behind his reputation as self-absorbed was a wonderful, kind human being who loved kids. His true character became more evident over time. Nine different teams, one unforgettable player.”

Henderson set the career steals record in 1991 and then was traded two years later to Toronto, where he won his second World Series. He spent the final decade of his career bouncing around the majors and still led the AL with 66 steals and 118 walks at age 39 with Oakland in 1998.

In 2017, the A's named their playing surface “Rickey Henderson Field” at the Oakland Coliseum in his honor.

“When you’re old and grey, sitting around with your buds talking about your career in baseball, you are going to talk about Rickey," said Ron Guidry, another of Henderson's former Yankees teammates. "He was just amazing to watch. There were great outfielders. There were great base stealers. There were great home run hitters. Rickey was a combination of all of those players. He did things out there on the field that the rest of us dreamed of.”

AP Baseball Writer Janie McCauley contributed to this report.

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FILE - Rickey Henderson waves to the crowd during a presentation after he stole third base against the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh inning to break Ty Cobb's career stolen base record, at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., May 30, 1990. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

FILE - Oakland Athletics' Rickey Henderson, left, goes sliding into third base to steal his 939th career base to set a new all-time major league record during their game with the New York Yankees at Oakland, May 1, 1991. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

FILE - Oakland Athletics' Rickey Henderson steals second base against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of a baseball game at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., April 10, 1991. (AP Photo/Alan Greth, File)

FILE - New York Yankees' Rickey Henderson, left, takes off to steal third base during a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium in New York, May 21, 1986. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine, File)

FILE - Oakland Athletics' Rickey Henderson holds up third base after breaking Lou Brock's all-time career record for stolen bases during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees in Oakland, Calif., May 1, 1991. (AP Photo/Alan Greth, File)

FILE - Rickey Henderson, the Oakland Athletics record-setting base stealer, stretches during his first workout at Oakland's Phoenix spring training camp Feb. 27, 1983. (AP Photo/Sal Veder, File)

FILE - Oakland Athletics' Rickey Henderson, right, slides home safely past Cleveland Indians catcher Jerry Willard to score from third base on a hit by Davey Lopes during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., June 14, 1984. (AP Photo/Jeff Reinking, File)

FILE - Former baseball player Rickey Henderson waves after speaking during a ceremony inducting him into the Oakland Athletics' Hall of Fame before a baseball game between the Athletics and the New York Yankees in Oakland, Calif., Sept. 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

FILE - Class of 2009 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Rickey Henderson views plaques on a tour of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y., May 8, 2009. (AP Photo/Tim Roske, File)

FILE - New York Mets' Rickey Henderson, right, slides safely into second base with his 30th stolen base of the year as St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Joe McEwing jumps while taking a late throw in the fourth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader Aug. 22, 1999, at Shea Stadium in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)

FILE - Oakland Athletics Rickey Henderson (24) keeps just ahead of Chicago White Sox shortstop Ozzie Guillen during a rundown between first and second base during the third inning of a baseball game June 14, 1994, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Fred Jewell, File)

FILE - Rickey Henderson waves to the crowd during his induction speech at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., July 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)

FILE - Former Oakland Athletics player Rickey Henderson looks on before a baseball game between the Athletics and the Texas Rangers in Oakland, Calif., Sept. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

Reactions to the death of baseball's stolen base king Rickey Henderson:

“A legend on and off the field, Rickey was a devoted son, dad, friend, grandfather, brother, uncle, and a truly humble soul. 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.” — Wife Pamela Henderson and his daughters

“The fraternity of players all over the world, mourn the loss of a friend, former teammate, and one of the greatest and most impactful Players to play our game. ... He inspired future generations with his speed, aggressiveness and trademark neon green batting gloves. Off the field, he never ceased to entertain with his colorful quotes and references to himself in the third person. He was an American original, in every sense of the term.” — MLBPA executive director Tony Clark

“For multiple generations of baseball fans, Rickey Henderson was the gold standard of base stealing and leadoff hitting. ... Rickey earned universal respect, admiration and awe from sports fans." — Commissioner Rob Manfred

"He was one of the best players that I ever played with and obviously the best leadoff hitter in baseball.” — Hall of Famer and former teammate Dave Winfield

“I’m heartbroken and devastated. Rickey Henderson was an incredibly talented player but an even better human. I’ll never forget all the incredible memories we created together. Memories I’ll never forget. Rest easy my friend.” — Former Athletics teammate Jose Canseco

“He’s the greatest leadoff hitter of all time, and I’m not sure there’s a close second.” — Former Athletics general manager Billy Beane

“It wasn’t until I saw Rickey that I understood what baseball was about. Rickey Henderson is a run, man. That’s it. When you see Rickey Henderson, I don’t care when, the score’s already 1-0. If he’s with you, that’s great. If he’s not, you won’t like it.” — Former Athletics teammate Mitchell Page

“He was undoubtedly the most legendary player in Oakland history and made an indelible mark on generations of A’s fans over his 14 seasons wearing the Green and Gold. For those who knew him personally, Rickey was much more than a franchise icon and a Baseball Hall of Famer. He was a friend and mentor to every player, coach, and employee who passed through the Oakland Coliseum or played a game on the field that came to bear his name.” — Statement from the Athletics

“Rickey Henderson was an all-time great player who commanded our attention like few players before or since, transcending our traditional understanding of how elite and thrilling a single player could be in the batter’s box and on the basepaths. When he stepped across the white lines, he was magnetic. Opponents, teammates and fans simply couldn’t take their eyes off him." — Statement from the New York Yankees

“We join the baseball community in mourning the passing of Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson. His impact on the game, in the community, and on our organization will be remembered forever. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this difficult time.” — Statement from the Toronto Blue Jays

“Saddened by the passing of our friend, Rickey Henderson, the greatest leadoff hitter in MLB history! Was proud to induct him into our Hall of Game in 2015 along with Fergie Jenkins, Ozzie Smith and the late Luis Tiant. Condolences to his family, friends and legion of fans!” — Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

“A true Bay Area legend, Rickey’s larger-than-life personality and love for the game made him a beloved figure across the baseball world.” — Statement from the San Francisco Giants

“One of the all-time great baseball players and I think one of the all-time great athletes in the history of our country. Just stunning athleticism and a fun baseball player to watch and beloved in the Bay. ... It was like watching Bo Jackson or LeBron, just one of those guys who was not human. He didn’t look like the rest of us, nor did he play like the rest of the league.” — Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr

“Rickey Henderson was not only the greatest base stealer of all-time, but one of the most memorable personalities of his generation. The enthusiasm and energy he brought to Cooperstown each year will truly be missed. Our thoughts are with his wife, Pamela, and their family.” – Baseball Hall of Fame Chairman Jane Forbes Clark

“Rickey was simply the best player I ever played with. He could change the outcome of a game in so many ways. It puts a smile on my face just thinking about him. I will miss my friend.” — Former Yankees teammate Don Mattingly

“When you’re old and grey, sitting around with your buds talking about your career in baseball, you are going to talk about Rickey. He was just amazing to watch. There were great outfielders. There were great base stealers. There were great home run hitters. Rickey was a combination of all of those players. He did things out there on the field that the rest of us dreamed of.” — Former Yankees teammate Ron Guidry

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

FILE - New York Yankees' Rickey Henderson, left, takes off to steal third base during a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics at Yankee Stadium in New York, May 21, 1986. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine, File)

FILE - Oakland Athletics' Rickey Henderson steals second base against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of a baseball game at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., April 10, 1991. (AP Photo/Alan Greth, File)

FILE - Oakland Athletics' Rickey Henderson, left, goes sliding into third base to steal his 939th career base to set a new all-time major league record during their game with the New York Yankees at Oakland, May 1, 1991. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

FILE - Former Oakland Athletics player Rickey Henderson looks on before a baseball game between the Athletics and the Texas Rangers in Oakland, Calif., Sept. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

FILE - Rickey Henderson waves to the crowd during a presentation after he stole third base against the Toronto Blue Jays in the seventh inning to break Ty Cobb's career stolen base record, at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., May 30, 1990. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)