The MLB world lost its all-time leader in stolen bases on Saturday with the death of Rickey Henderson, who was among baseball’s brightest stars of the 1980s and ’90s.
Henderson will always be remembered as the man who stole 1,406 bases, a mark that might stand as one of MLB’s true unbreakable records. The active player closest to that mark is Starling Marte with 354, approximately a quarter of Henderson’s total.
However, Henderson was so much more than a demon on the basepaths. He had power, with 297 career home runs. He had plate discipline, retiring as MLB’s all-time leader in walks with 2,190 (only Barry Bonds has surpassed that mark). He had Gold Glove defense and won two World Series rings. And he had a larger-than-life personality while still being as generous as any star:
My favorite Rickey Henderson anecdote. Playoff teams get a set postseason bonus pool to distribute “shares” of. A full share for a World Series winning team in the 2020s goes for ~$500k, and Rickey wanted to give that equivalent to every employee who could really use that money. pic.twitter.com/LLZGNLQG0y
— Foolish Baseball (@FoolishBB) December 21, 2024
The A’s praised every part of what made Henderson great while announcing his death:
Rickey Henderson is one of the greatest baseball players of all time. His on-field accomplishments speak for themselves, and his records will forever stand atop baseball history. 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.
We are shocked and heartbroken by his passing. His loss will be felt not only by A’s fans but also by baseball fans around the world. The entire A’s organization sends its sincere condolences to Rickey’s family and loved ones at this time.
When a league loses a player like that, his peers feel it. Even before news of Henderson’s death was confirmed, tributes poured in from Henderson’s past teammates, opponents and coaches in the big leagues, not to mention all the players who came up…